Page Delivers His Own Slam

Shooting the puck at a goaltender after play has been whistled for offside is considered bad sportsmanship. But the Ducks believed that was no excuse for King defenseman Rob Blake to slam rookie Frank Banham against the glass in retaliation late in the second period Monday.

“I don’t know why Blake was still in the game,” Coach Pierre Page said. “I don’t care what Banham did. I don’t know if he heard the whistle or not. He’s only in his second game in the NHL [this season]. That’s intent to injure [by Blake]. To drop your stick and gloves and just charge after somebody, that’s not hockey.”

Banham was given a 10-minute misconduct for shooting at King goalie Stephane Fiset and Blake got minor penalties for roughing and charging.

“Roughing? What the . . . was that?” Page asked. “[Blake] didn’t try to grab him. He just tried to smash him against the glass as hard as he could.”

Blake defended his actions.

“Rookie or no rookie, that play was offside by five feet when that kid shot the puck,” he said. “Stephane Fiset is our MVP this year. We can’t have that happen to him right now. He’s too important to this team. If they think they can get away with it, well, we’ve got to do something to stick up for our goalie.”

*

Page was less angry about the high-sticking penalty in overtime that set up the Kings’ winning goal, but only because he hadn’t seen a replay.

Replays available to reporters showed that Duck defenseman Jason Marshall’s stick came up as he was checked against the boards by Dan Bylsma. But considering all the other mayhem that went unpunished, it seemed to be a dubious call by referee Kerry Fraser.

“Looking at it now would just make you madder,” Page said.

TONIGHT

vs. Toronto

* 7:30

* Fox Sports

West 2

Site--Arrowhead Pond.

Radio--KRLA 1110, KCKC 1350.

Records--Ducks 20-34-9, Maple Leafs 21-33-8.

Record vs. Maple Leafs--0-1-2.

Update--The Ducks have never won fewer than 33 games in a full season, but must win 13 of their final 19 to avoid posting the worst record in their five-season history. They won only 16 games during the lockout-shortened, 48-game 1994-95 season. They were 36-33-15 last season and 35-39-8 in 1995-96. Toronto enforcer Tie Domi recorded his 100th NHL point Monday, assisting on Todd Warriner’s third-period goal against San Jose. Domi is in his ninth season.