Rychel Still Angry Over ’93 Cup Loss

Before Wednesday, it had been nearly four years since the most recent Stanley Cup playoff game in Southern California. That was Game 4 of the Kings’ Stanley Cup final series against Montreal on June 7, 1993.

Duck winger Warren Rychel, who scored six playoff goals for the Kings that season, still believes they would have beaten Montreal if not for one thing.

“We would have won the Cup if not for that damn illegal stick,” Rychel said.

The Kings had a 1-0 lead in the series and were ahead by a goal late in Game 2 when King defenseman Marty McSorley was caught playing with an illegally curved stick. Montreal scored the game-tying goal on the ensuing power play, then won the game in overtime, 3-2. The Canadiens went on to win the series, four games to one.

Rychel, who went on to win the Stanley Cup with Colorado last season, was out of the Ducks’ lineup briefly late this season but was restored by Coach Ron Wilson in part because of his playoff experience.

Rychel responded with an assist against Phoenix--his first point since Feb. 28--after winning a battle along the boards, and was almost credited with the goal when he swept in and put the loose puck in the net after Paul Kariya’s shot hit the post. Kariya was credited with the goal after a video review.

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Under a large picture of the Stanley Cup in the Ducks’ dressing room hangs a calendar-like sheaf of paper with the number 16 on it.

That’s how many victories it takes to win the Cup.

Underneath the 16 are pieces of paper counting down to a championship.

Put that way, it almost seems manageable to the Ducks, who lost only three times in their final 23 games.

“Every game was almost do or die the last two months,” Wilson said. “Now all we have to do is win four of seven. We don’t have to win six of seven. There’s always tomorrow here until you get to an elimination game.”

Mighty Duck Notes

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman attended the game. . . . Phoenix veteran Mike Gartner on what kind of series he expects: “Long.” . . . Duck center Kevin Todd returned to the lineup, stepping in on the fourth line because of Steve Rucchin’s injury.