Ducks Lose to Kings, but Wilson Is a Winner

Ron Wilson’s ordinary name and next-door neighbor looks made him rather anonymous during his first three seasons as coach of the Mighty Ducks. But Wilson returned Sunday after the U.S. victory over Canada in the World Cup with a measure of the respect he has craved.

Teemu Selanne, who played for Finland, stopped by management’s suite after Wilson responded to the cheering crowd of 17,160 at the Pond with a modest wave during the Kings’ 2-0 exhibition victory over the Ducks.

“I’ve been to see the President,” Selanne said.

Wilson had slept little since coaching the U.S. to victory Saturday night in Montreal, returning at 1:30 Sunday afternoon.

“Tomorrow’s an off-day for the whole team, and--today’s Sunday, right?--I’ll be back on the ice Tuesday,” he said, half-drained as he described the scene in Montreal.

“Nothing in the United States compares to the way Canadians feel about hockey, not even baseball,” he said. “Hockey’s their culture. The whole country’s depressed today, and I’m happy they are.”

Wilson, 41, did a masterful job with a team of U.S. all-stars.

“Those players took a liking to Ron and did what he wanted,” Duck winger Garry Valk said.

During his first few seasons with the Ducks, Wilson rankled some superiors with what was perceived as excuse-making. But when officials missed an offsides call on the winning goal in the first game of the finals, he said nothing.

“I think his first year that would have been the whole reason for the game,” said Duck General Manager Jack Ferreira, who was assistant G.M. of the U.S. team. “It was critical, obviously, but he just brushed it off.”

King-Mighty Duck Notes

Philippe Boucher and Yanic Perreault scored the only goals of a lackluster game. . . . King defenseman Rob Blake is resting at home in Los Angeles after being treated for a severe right elbow infection during the World Cup. General Manager Sam McMaster called it a common injury.