Bruins Win Exhibition, 3-1

The Mighty Ducks played a game they’d just as soon forget Friday--and since it’s exhibition season, they can. The Ducks were outworked by the Boston Bruins in a 3-1 loss in front of 16,440 at the Pond.

Steve Rucchin scored the Ducks’ only goal 1:58 into the game.

Mikhail Shtalenkov made 25 saves for the Ducks, who fell to 2-2-2. Bill Ranford stopped 20 shots for the Bruins, who are 3-3-1.

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The three-week contract stalemate with defenseman David Karpa ended Friday when he agreed to terms on a one-year deal.

“I’d say they won this battle,” said Karpa, a restricted free agent who agreed to the team’s original offer of $425,000 with some added incentive clauses.

Karpa, who had 19 points and 270 penalty minutes last season while earning about $160,000, gives the Ducks a physical presence on defense they had been lacking.

He won’t join the team until next week because immigration paperwork will prevent him from traveling to Canada for the final two exhibition games.

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The Ducks complete their exhibition season with a two-game trip to play at Edmonton tonight and at Vancouver on Monday. Paul Kariya will make the trip but doesn’t plan to play. He’s still shooting to play in the season-opener a week from today at Toronto.