Hebert Gets Help From Behind

Brendan Shanahan, the Detroit Red Wings’ leading goal scorer, wound up and fired. Mighty Duck goaltender Guy Hebert never saw it coming.

The puck ricocheted off the crossbar and bounced away. Instead of a game-tying goal, the Red Wings missed one of the few times they had Hebert beaten Sunday.

“I turned around and thanked the goal post,” Hebert said.

By the end, it was Herbert who was being appreciated. First by Duck fans, who chanted his name after a big save with 11 seconds left. And then by his teammates, after they had held on for a 3-1 victory at the Pond.

It was the Ducks’ first victory over the Red Wings after 12 tries--nine losses and three ties. The Red Wings “welcomed” the Ducks into NHL existence with a 7-2 victory to open the 1993-94 season and had dominated since.

No one was happier to see that streak end than Hebert. And no one was more responsible for its conclusion.

Hebert stopped 30 of 31 shots, including 12 in the first period when the game was scoreless. He turned away two shots during a power play with seven minutes left and the Ducks leading by a goal. He also flailed helplessly at Shanahan’s shot, then got a break, with 13 minutes left.

“That was a huge turning point,” Hebert said. “If that goes in, the game’s tied and who knows what happens? Instead, it’s like nothing happened. It’s like the shot went wide.”

Hebert can think back to a similar incident in the 1992-93 season, when Detroit’s Sergei Fedorov hit the post against him. The St. Louis Blues, with Hebert in goal, won, 1-0.

“That was my first NHL shutout,” Hebert said. “It was in Joe Louis Arena and Garth Butcher scored our goal. It was an unusual night. I think Garth only scored two or three goals in his career.”

And Hebert beat Detroit, something he hadn’t done since.

Hebert, who was 1-0-1 against the Red Wings when he was with the Blues, was 0-5-3 against them as a Duck. It hasn’t always been a pretty sight. Twice, he has been pulled from games.

“I can think back to that opener four years ago and they trashed us pretty good that night,” Hebert said. “It’s been four long years against those guys.”

This time, it was Hebert who made it one long evening for the Red Wings, who had scored 12 goals in their previous three games.

Hebert was making his second start in as many nights. He stopped 25 shots Saturday in a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He came back Sunday and shut out the Red Wings in the first period, stopping several good chances. At one point, Hebert stopped three shots in 30 seconds.

“We had some big chances in the first period and he made big saves,” Red Wing center Kris Draper said.

Hebert continued to make them, allowing only a goal by Nicklas Lidstrom in the second period. He has given up three goals in his last three starts and the Ducks are 2-0-1 in those games after going 1-8-3 with Hebert in goal.

“Guy is more back to the way he played at the end of last year,” Duck Coach Ron Wilson said. “He’s been real focused.”

Hebert was Sunday, even on the one shot he didn’t see.