Ducks’ Kurvers Fits the Job Description : Hockey: Team wanted offensive defenseman and got one; he scores two goals in home opening victory over Oilers.

It was a husband’s worst nightmare, an auto wreck with his pregnant wife riding along in the car.

Tom Kurvers lived through that terrible scenario not long after arriving in Orange County and just days after the NHL lockout began.

The accident wasn’t life-threatening, but later Kurvers was informed his health insurance was worthless and his fears intensified. Eventually, the mix-up was straightened out and Suzy Kurvers delivered a healthy baby girl they named Madison.

Certainly, Kurvers’ home debut at The Pond will provide happier memories of his new winter home. Two goals in the second period helped the Ducks rally from a two-goal deficit as they gained a 5-4 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers in front of 17,174.

“I was thrilled,” Kurvers said. “It was very exciting and I’m very happy.”

At last he could enjoy his new home and bask in the glow of another noisy sellout in The Pond.

“After seeing the way the team finished last season, I wasn’t surprised. But it was great to see,” Kurvers said of the crowd support.

“I really feel a part of things here and that’s always a good feeling.”

It shouldn’t have come as any surprise that Kurvers would jump into the Duck offense. After all, that’s why they traded for him last June.

Wanted: Offensive defenseman to shore up woeful, punchless power play. Eye for the opposing net. Strong shot. Experience necessary.

“We were saying last year we needed to strengthen the blue line,” Coach Ron Wilson said. “That’s why (Kurvers) is here. We expect that.”

Kurvers fit the bill, maybe not quite Paul Coffey but certainly capable of inflicting damage. So the Ducks sent team captain Troy Loney to the New York Islanders in exchange for Kurvers last June.

They figured nine goals and 31 assists--Kurvers’ 1993-94 totals with the Islanders--would inject some life in the league’s weakest power play. Add rookies Paul Kariya and Valeri Karpov into the mix and the Ducks could actually frighten outmanned opponents on occasion.

As it happened Monday, Kariya scored on a power play while Kurvers was on the bench. Kurvers’ goals came with the teams at full strength.

The first came at the 14:49 mark of the second period when he camped out in front of the crease, strange territory for Duck defensemen in the past, and poked a loose puck past Edmonton goalie Bill Ranford.

The second goal followed almost three minutes later when rookie center Steve Rucchin slid a pass into the high slot. Kurvers pounced, firing a low slap shot past Ranford that gave the Ducks a 3-2 lead.

It was just the push the Ducks needed, just what management hoped to see. Other defensemen, and to be sure, other forwards proved they could master the dump-and-chase and the clutch-and-grab--two Duck staples from last season. What they lacked was a consistent offensive producer on the blue line.

“That’s why they went out and made the deal for me and tried to change the makeup of the team,” Kurvers said. “They wanted a little more offense. Now, if we go out and score five goals, we’re going to win some games.”

Last season Bill Houlder was the only Duck defenseman to have a two-goal game, and he did it only twice. In the end, the Ducks felt Houlder’s defensive foibles outweighed his offensive prowess and they traded him to St. Louis in August.