Selanne Battles His Way Out of Slump
PHOENIX — Teemu Selanne was a target, a decoy, a goal-scorer, an assist-maker, a checker and the inspirational leader the Mighty Ducks sorely needed Tuesday against the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Ducks’ 4-3 victory in front of 13,779 featured some of their best all-around hockey this season. And Selanne had a hand in all of it.
He had a momentum-building goal in the first period and assisted on Sean Pronger’s game-winner in the third. But some of his best work was done out of sight--along the boards and in the corners.
“I thought he played a team game,†Coach Pierre Page said. “He did all the little things to help the team win.â€
On the winning goal, the Coyotes moved quickly to cover Selanne along the boards, but it proved to be a mistake. Pronger was left alone in the slot and he didn’t miss, giving the Ducks a 4-3 lead at the 2:02 mark of the third period with his first goal of the season.
Selanne’s first-period goal ended a five-game drought without a goal, tying his longest as a Duck and three short of the longest of his career. If the strain of the slump was getting to Selanne, it wasn’t showing.
“You’d have to ask him, but I think all the skilled players were putting pressure on themselves,†Page said. “They’ve got to do all the things the others do and still put a finishing touch on scoring chances.â€
After only 12 goals in seven games, second-fewest in the league going into Tuesday, the Ducks scored a season-high four.
At first glance, Selanne’s goal seemed as if it would be just another missed opportunity. Pronger slipped a cross-ice pass to Selanne at the right post, but it seemed for a moment the play wouldn’t click.
Selanne was a step past the net and was forced to bank his shot off the skate of Phoenix goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin--starting his 50th consecutive game, dating to last season--and into the net at the 17:49 mark.
“Oh, for sure, it’s a big relief, “ Selanne said. “I have had a lot of great chances but this [game] was one we really needed.â€
One goal from Selanne, acting as captain while Paul Kariya awaits a new contract, appeared to be just what the goal-starved Ducks needed to keep counterpunching with the Coyotes.
Selanne’s willingness to muck and grind in the corners against more physical opposition also appeared to lift the Ducks’ spirits. He threw checks and took them.
Two collisions with Phoenix defenseman John Slaney, a former King, gave the Ducks an emotional lift that led to the tying goal in the second period.
Selanne and Slaney crashed into each other chasing a loose puck in the left-wing corner. Slaney then belted Selanne on the head with both fists, drawing a penalty.
Ted Drury’s first goal of the season didn’t come on the ensuing power play, but his backhander through traffic tied the score, 3-3, at the 14:32 mark of the second period.
Kevin Todd scored his first of the season to give the Ducks a brief 1-0 lead 7:06 into the game. Phoenix rookie Brad Isbister’s first NHL goal at 13:07 tied the score.
Deron Quint gave the Coyotes a 2-1 lead less than 90 seconds later on a shot from the high slot that deflected off Duck defenseman David Karpa and past goalie Mikhail Shtalenkov.
Selanne’s first goal since opening night against Vancouver in Tokyo tied the score at 2-2 before Keith Tkachuk scored for the Coyotes early in the second.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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