MIGHTY DUCK NOTEBOOK / ELLIOTT TEAFORD : Bester Expects to Open in Phoenix

Allan Bester says he’s a realist. That’s why he won’t be surprised to find himself in Phoenix, wearing the uniform of the minor league San Diego Gulls on the night of Oct. 8.

He’d rather be in Anaheim Arena that night, playing goal as the Mighty Ducks debut against the Detroit Red Wings. But he’s certain he’ll get there eventually. He knows expansion hockey teams need all the help they can get in goal.

“It’s not the end of the world if I’m in San Diego (to start the season),” he said. “That’s probably the plan.”

Bester did his best to throw a wrench into those plans Thursday, holding up well against a relentless opposing attack in the Gray-Purple scrimmage. Playing for the Purple team, he stopped all 23 shots he faced in the first period.

For the game--won by the Gray, 3-2--he faced 46 shots, prompting Coach Ron Wilson to say, “Allan Bester had a great game, otherwise it would have been a blowout.”

Bester acknowledges that Guy Hebert, a St. Louis Blue last season, and Ron Tugnutt, a member of the Edmonton Oilers last season, are the front-runners for the job. However, he’s determined to stick around as long as possible.

“Don’t give them any reason to get rid of you,” said Bester, 29, who had a 3.52 goals-against average in 41 games for Adirondack of the American Hockey League last season.

Duck Notes

Paul Lawless will receive a second opinion on his heart murmur next week at the UCLA Medical Center. . . . Peter Douris injured his left knee scoring the Gray team’s second goal and will undergo an MRI examination today. . . . Scott Chartier suffered a bruised lower left leg during a third-period altercation with Lonnie Loach.