clarinews@clarinet.com (02/03/90)
_ _A_l_t_e_r_n_a_t_e_ _l_e_a_d DETROIT (UPI) -- Detroit's Joe Kocur has had a reputation through most of his NHL career for his fists, but now he's becoming known for his scoring punch. Kocur scored his fourth goal in three games and added two assists, and Glen Hanlon turned away 37 shots, Friday night to help the Red Wings to a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. ``I talked to Joey last year, and asked him what happens if the NHL bans fighting,'' said Detroit coach Jacques Demers. ``We know he's feared physically, but we don't want him to sit on the end of the bench just in that role. He's become a very good hockey player. ... It's good to see him playing so well offensively and defensively.'' Kocur, who has 28 points this year, had never scored more than nine goals or 18 points in three full NHL seasons. He credits his linemates Steve Yzerman and Gerard Gallant for his recent offensive prowess, but warns that his tough brand of hockey isn't going to change. ``The way I got into this league,'' Kocur said, ``is the way way I'm going to stay in it -- playing aggressive, fighting, bump and grind hockey.'' Kocur scored his 12th goal of the season at 6:55 of the second period, and set up Gerard Gallant's 24th of the year at 12:48 as the Red Wings took a 4-2 lead after two periods. Doug Houda, who scored his second goal of the year in the first period, set up Kocur's goal by weaving between three Toronto players to the slot in front of Maple Leaf goalie Allan Bester and pushing a pass to Kocur cutting in on the right wing. Kocur slid the puck along the ice on Bester's glove side to put the Wings ahead to stay. Gallant scored less than five minutes later when he pushed the rebound from a Kocur slap shot past Bester. ``For 14 minutes of the second period, we didn't skate,'' said Maple Leafs' coach Doug Carpenter. ``It was one of those things where I don't think we were allowed to win tonight -- (we hit) four posts, one crossbar. Glen Hanlon was superb tonight. I'd probably have to call it a goaltender's win.'' Hanlon, who has taken on added duties because of injuries to starter Greg Stefan, turned away 18 shots in the third period. ``When you play a game like that, you don't even remember the saves you make,'' Hanlon said. ``When I'm playing well I feel I'm in a groove mentally, not physically. I'm into the game and making the right moves.'' The win was Detroit's third straight and pulled the Red Wings, 19-27-6, to within seven points of fourth-place Minnesota in the Norris Division. The Maple Leafs, 27-24-2, lost for only the second time in their last eight games. ``Jacques talked to us and said if we don't pick it up, it's going to be a long summer,'' Kocur said. ``We're playing every game as if it's the 80th.'' Houda gave Detroit a 1-0 edge at 9:54 of the first period. Gary Leeman knotted the game with a power-play goal at 12:28. John Chabot pushed the Red Wings ahead 2-1 at 15:11 before Lou Franceschetti evened the score at 19:33.