clarinews@clarinet.com (01/17/90)
LANDOVER, Md. (UPI) -- Michal Pivonka scored two second-period goals to break a 4-4 tie and present new coach Terry Murray with his first National Hockey League victory, a 9-6 decision over the New Jersey Devils. In addition to being the first win for Murray, who took over Monday after his brother Bryan was fired, the victory broke the Capitals' eight-game winlessstreak, their longest since October-November 1981. Pivonka connected at 11:23 of the second, when he intercepted a pass and fired from 25 feet in the slot, then again at 17:51 when he put in Bob Rouse's rebound to make it 6-4. Kevin Hatcher scored at 2:45 of the third period to make it 7-4, and after Rob Brown pulled the Devils to within 7-5, Rouse fired one in for an 8-5 Capitals lead. David Maley got the Devils' sixth goal at 9:56 of the third period on Bob Brooke's rebound. Washington's Geoff Courtnall scored unassisted at 17:31 of the third period to complete the scoring. The Devils jumped off to a 3-0 lead on two goals by defenseman Ken Daneyko and one by Janne Ojanen in the first 10 minutes. Dino Ciccarelli got Washington on the board at 13:12, but John MacLean made it 4-1 at 14:04, then Courtnall put in Hatcher's rebound at 15:25 and John Tucker scored on Dale Hunter's pass 30 seconds later to make it 4-3. Steve Leach scored from the top of the right wing circle at 1:47 of the second to tie it 4-4.