NHL : Hartford Ends Pittsburgh’s Bid, 4-2

HARTFORD, Conn. — Figures, it was the Hartford Whalers who spoiled things for Pittsburgh.

Hartford, which has lost a good chunk of its team to the Penguins over the last several years, got a little revenge with a 4-2 win Saturday that ended Pittsburgh’s bid for the best start in NHL history.

“If it’s ironic that we lose against Hartford, with the way the things went the last few years -- then let it be. But we just didn’t play that well,” said Pittsburgh’s John Cullen, one of five former Whalers on the Penguins.

Another former Hartford man is Pittsburgh coach Ed Johnston, who was general manager of the Whalers and was responsible for trading several popular Whalers, including one that sent Ron Francis to the Penguins.

Johnston didn’t speak with reporters after his team’s first loss, which dropped the Penguins to 12-1-1. That left them two games short of tying the best NHL start, a record held by Edmonton for a 12-0-3 opening during the 1984-85 season.

“It’s a great feeling to beat one of the best teams in the league,” said Robert Kron, who scored twice for the Whalers, including a key goal late in the game. “But I think we have a good team, and we started showing it.”

Hartford outshot Pittsburgh 37-28 and held the Penguins scoreless on seven power plays, including a 5-on-3 early in the second period and two one-man advantages in the third.

“You got to lose one time and now that it’s over, there is less pressure right now,” Joe Mullen said. “You can’t win every game but we think we can.”