Mighty Ducks Strike 1st

Four years after debuting as a ragtag expansion team, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim tasted playoff victory for the first time Wednesday night with a white-knuckle 4-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes.

As they have all season, All-Star forwards Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne led a blistering Ducks attack, each contributing two goals that kept the Coyotes scrambling to catch up.

A national television audience watched along with a raucous Pond crowd of more than 17,000 towel-waving fans--among them Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner, checking on his company’s investment in sports magic.

Goalie Guy Hebert, one of only three players remaining from the Ducks 1993 inaugural team of castoffs and longshots, turned in 29 saves and helped the home team hold the lead throughout.

The season’s goal-scoring leader, Keith Tkachuk, hit a second-period goal for the Coyotes, but couldn’t muster the offense to spark his squad. The visitors appeared to tie the game late, but a referee’s whistle negated the goal.

Now, they move forward in the hunt for the Stanley Cup, and hope to disprove naysayers who question their ability to contend. The best-of-seven series with Phoenix resumes Friday night.

Coverage, C1, C4, C6