Trnka Impresses Page in Exhibition Loss

The Ducks’ 4-2 exhibition loss Wednesday to the Phoenix Coyotes at the Pond was far from compelling hockey, but it afforded Coach Pierre Page another chance to evaluate his team.

Rookie defenseman Pavel Trnka was one player who caught Page’s eye, largely because he played a solid game and didn’t get beat to the front of the net by Coyote forwards.

“Trnka might sneak ahead of somebody who might think they have a job won right now,” Page said. “We need to get grittier defensively. I’m not trying to create something, but we had he on the bench waiting to replace somebody.

“He didn’t play much, but he played well.”

Page was encouraged by the Ducks’ aggressive forechecking, the best he’s seen in the past three games. Instead of sitting back, the Ducks pressure Phoenix puckhandlers and created more scoring chances.

The Ducks, who had only 25 shots on goal in a 5-5 tie Saturday against Edmonton, outshot the Coyotes, 41-31.

Darrin Shannon had two goals and Brad Isbister and Scott Levins also scored for Phoenix (4-3). Ted Drury and Matt Cullen scored for the Ducks (2-2-1).

Five all-stars did not play in the game. Left wing Paul Kariya (contract dispute) and goalie Guy Hebert (coach’s decision) did not dress for the Ducks. Left wing Keith Tkachuk and defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky (contract disputes) and forward Jeremy Roenick (coach’s decision) did not play for the Coyotes.

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Wednesday marked the deadline for teams to submit their lists of protected players for Sunday’s waiver draft. Teams can protect 18 skaters and two goalies. The list of unprotected players will be made available Friday. The Ducks, who pick 28th overall, selected Kevin Todd in last season’s wavier draft.