Frustration Turns to Anger

Coach Ron Wilson halted practice after 45 lackluster minutes Thursday, angrily telling the players to meet among themselves. Wilson and assistants Tim Army and Walt Kyle then left the ice.

The players huddled with captain Paul Kariya, defenseman Bobby Dollas and winger Teemu Selanne, each speaking briefly.

“Ron’s message was that we can’t look for easy ways out,” Army said. “We’ve got to win hockey games, not make excuses.”

Wilson, who declined to speak with reporters, grew angry a few minutes into practice. He stopped a drill, then had the Ducks skate wind sprints as punishment.

When the skating was finished, Wilson gathered the team at center ice then began shouting at defenseman David Karpa about his erratic play.

Karpa’s poor pass in the neutral zone led to Martin Rucinsky’s game-winning goal in Montreal’s 6-5 victory Wednesday.

Wilson reminded Karpa of his mistake, saying it was just another in a string of bad decisions this season. Karpa was not immediately available for comment, but after Wednesday’s game admitted he made a bad pass.

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Defenseman Milos Holan will attend tonight’s game, his first appearance at the Pond since undergoing a bone marrow transplant Feb. 21.