Rucchin Becomes More Assertive

Center Steve Rucchin has seven goals and 16 assists since Coach Ron Wilson benched him for three games early in November.

Rucchin had only one assist in the season’s first 12 games.

Moving Rucchin to the top line with Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne has improved his game, but there’s more to it than that, according to Wilson.

“I think it’s being a little more assertive--acting instead of reacting,” Wilson said. “[Kariya and Selanne] are tough guys to play with because you feel pressure to make things happen. It makes you think when you play with them.”

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Count Calgary Coach Pierre Page among those impressed by the Ducks’ turnaround since mid-November.

He’s also a fan of trades that brought winger Brian Bellows and defenseman Dmitri Mironov to Anaheim.

“Three or four weeks ago, you didn’t think Anaheim would win another game,” Page said Friday after the Ducks’ 7-0 victory over the Flames. “They’re lucky to have a guy like [General Manager] Jack Ferreira. He really knows hockey players. He got rid of some guys who weren’t contributing.”