For Page, Kariya a Coach’s Delight

After more than four months on the job, Pierre Page finally got a chance to coach Paul Kariya on Thursday afternoon at the Pond.

Page liked what he saw, although that was hardly a surprise.

“I saw him on tape from last year, and that’s when I really got excited,” Page said. “He looked good today. The whole team was happy to see him.”

Page is counting on Kariya and Teemu Selanne to make an impact on the slumping Ducks in more ways than simply on the score sheet.

“The nicest thing about these two players is the more they’re together, the more they make other players better,” Page said. “Michael Jordan made a lot of players better in Chicago, including Scottie Pippen.”

*

The Ducks recalled rookie defensemen Pavel Trnka and Marc Moro from Cincinnati of the American Hockey League. They also put right wing Scott Young and defenseman Dan Trebil on the injured reserve list.

Young has a bone bruise in his right foot and is expected to be out at least another week.

Trebil suffered a broken right thumb during Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh and is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks.

TONIGHT

vs.

Washington

* 7:30

* Fox Sports

West 2

Site--the Pond.

Radio--KRLA 1110, KCKC 1350.

Records--Ducks 11-15-6, Capitals 15-11-5.

Record vs. Capitals (1996-97)--2-0.

Update--Paul Kariya and Ron Wilson are expected to receive heroes’ welcomes tonight in their returns to the Pond. Kariya missed the first 32 games in a contract dispute, and Wilson’s contract was not renewed May 20 after he spent four seasons as Duck coach. Right wing Peter Bondra leads the Capitals with 20 goals and 32 points. Goaltender Olaf Kolzig is 14-5-4 with a 2.27 goals-against average. Wilson said Kolzig is “right there with [Colorado’s] Patrick Roy and [New Jersey’s] Martin Brodeur.”