They found their man in Rick Middleton, who played 14 seasons in the N.H.L. with the Rangers and the Boston Bruins.

The Bruins had an excellent chance to score at 6:10 into the period, but a shot from Rick Middleton hit the right post with Burke beaten on the play.

Rick Middleton had scored for the Bruins at 6:37 of the first period.

Pederson and star winger Rick Middleton had instant chemistry, and would be one of the league's most dangerous duos for several seasons.

"Just when you think you've seen everything, something else happens," said the Bruins veteran Rick Middleton, who didn't blame the Bruins' 3-1 defeat on the imported officials.

Rick Middleton, the veteran Boston forward, said that the three substitutes "handled the game no worse than some regular officials I've seen."

Boston's penalty-killers, anchored by Rick Middleton, ranked third while Edmonton's penalty-killers were seventh.

The calm exterior was something, said Rick Middleton, that the players had worked hard to achieve.

Rick Middleton slid a pass to a rookie defenseman, Greg Hawgood, in the slot and then joined Bob Sweeney just in front of the Edmonton net.

Rick Middleton blocked Mike McPhee's shot at the Boston blue line with his left skate and broke in alone on Roy.