MIGHTY DUCK NOTEBOOK / ELLIOTT TEAFORD : This Is the Week Disney’s Team Needed Kariya’s Help on Offense

When the final chapter of the Mighty Ducks’ first season is finally written, what will stand out most of all?

That they were playoff contenders in March?

Or that Disney paid Nancy Kerrigan, who might never skate competitively again, $2 million for her life story plus other endorsements and considerations, but couldn’t come to terms with Paul Kariya?

This was the week they could have used Kariya, losing four games and falling out of contention for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

This was the week they simply couldn’t shoot straight.

Whether it was fatigue, bad offense, bad luck or great goaltending by Arturs Irbe of San Jose Sunday, Ed Belfour of Chicago Tuesday and Friday and Dominik Hasek of Buffalo Wednesday, the bottom line was the Ducks needed offensive help and didn’t get it.

“I haven’t seen too much of (Kariya), but he’s an offensive talent,” forward Tim Sweeney said after the Ducks’ 3-2 loss to Chicago Friday night. “He could help every team in the NHL. He would give us a big lift.

“Early in the year, if it wasn’t one line scoring it was another. It just so happened nobody was getting the bounces around the net (this week).”

Where would a guy who was compared to Wayne Gretzky during the Olympics fit into the mix?

Try anywhere.

In many ways the Ducks are victims of their own success. With a victory over San Jose on Sunday, they could have been within one point of the Sharks, holders of the coveted eighth playoff spot. After a winless week, they’re eight points back.

“Obviously, we’ve played above expectations,” Sweeney said. “When we play well people expect us to do more.” It seemed all the more reason to get Kariya signed and in uniform before it was too late.

The NHL season, 84 games and countless airline miles long, is a grind. Thursday, Coach Ron Wilson gave the Ducks a day off, hoping the rest would allow them to snap out of their offensive funk.

“A lot of the guys took the day away from the rink and went golfing,” said Bob Corkum, who snapped the Ducks’ 200-minute 26-second scoreless streak when he beat Belfour on a breakaway 12:03 into the first period.

Without Kariya, rest seemed to be the best antidote.

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This is not to say the scoreless streak was his fault, but when Corkum beat out Terry Yake in the battle to become the first Duck to score 20 goals, he seemed to hit the wall offensively.

Until Friday, Corkum hadn’t scored since recording his 20th goal in a 6-3 victory over Philadelphia on Feb. 16 at Anaheim Arena, a span of 10 games.

Yake’s own drought was extended to eight games, dating to his 20th goal in a 4-2 loss at Buffalo Feb. 23.

Corkum and Yake lead with team with 48 and 45 points, respectively.

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The Ducks’ powerless power play, ranked 25th of 26 NHL teams at 14.5%, was even worse against the Blackhawks this season. They clicked at a 10% rate (two for 20) in five games.

Chicago wasn’t much better against the Ducks, however, scoring twice in 16 opportunities (12.5%).

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Chicago’s Jeremy Roenick couldn’t miss Friday, connecting on one goal and three thunderous checks.

By far the best hit of the night was a blue-line collision with Troy Loney, sending each player flying.

It was probably the hardest check at Anaheim Arena this season.

Oh, by the way, Roenick’s goal was his team-leading 36th and proved to be the game-winner.