Wilson Orders Retaliatory Strikes Against Coyotes

Fed up after watching all-star wingers Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne take a pounding from the Phoenix Coyotes, Mighty Duck Coach Ron Wilson issued a challenge Wednesday.

“We’re going to go after Jeremy Roenick and Keith Tkachuk,” Wilson said. “They better come with their skates laced a little tighter.

“If Keith Tkachuk wants to fight and spend time in the penalty box, that’s fine. We plan on putting our physical guys against their skill guys. We’re not going to let them push our skill people around any more.

“That message will get across early [for Game 5 tonight].”

Wilson was particularly upset with the Coyotes’ physical play against Kariya away from the puck. Wilson said Kariya has had his helmet knocked off four or five times during the series.

“They usually don’t just fall off by themselves,” Wilson said. “It usually takes a punch to the back of the head to do it.

“I’ve seen some dirty stuff from some of their players toward Paul and Teemu. We have to respond a little better. Our tough people have to go at their skilled people. That was starting to happen at the end of [Game 4 Tuesday].”

Defenseman Jason Marshall and center Mark Janssens were the Ducks’ most physical players in a 2-0 loss in Game 4. Marshall delivered several crunching checks and Janssens pummeled Tkachuk in a third-period fight.

Duck enforcer Shawn Antoski, who has yet to play in the series after sitting out most of the season because of a hernia injury, admired Janssens’ work.

“When, at the end of the fight, you see blood, you’ve got to give the guy credit,” Antoski said. “Janssens stepped up and played like the leader he is.”

Antoski also said Tkachuk’s willingness to fight inspired the Coyotes, although he spent five key minutes of the third period in the penalty box.

“Not many captains will go do what he did,” Antoski said. “Maybe [Eric] Lindros. Maybe [Mark] Messier. They play that style. They’re also inspirations to their teams.”

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This isn’t the first time Kariya, 5 feet 11 and 175 pounds, has had to deal with rough play. And it probably won’t be the last.

“Any time you’re one of your team’s offensive players, there’s going to be a little attention, a little extra slashing,” Kariya said. “I don’t worry about it [retaliating]. My job is to score goals and produce offense. I’m not going to get caught up in trying to stick someone.

“They do that stuff to throw you off your game. They’re trying to get guys off their game.”

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Individual game tickets for the conference semifinals will go on sale Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Pond box office or through TicketMaster, (714) 740-2000 or (213) 480-3232.