A Loss in Exhibition Final

Dominic Roussel made 27 saves in his debut with the Ducks, but Cliff Ronning scored twice and Keith Tkachuk had three assists as the Coyotes won, 6-0, at Phoenix in the final exhibition game for both teams.

The game was halted for six minutes late in the second period when Phoenix rookie center Daniel Briere was knocked unconscious and carried from the ice.

Briere, the Coyotes’ second pick in the 1996 draft, was checked hard into the boards by the Ducks’ Ruslan Salei with 4:13 left in the second period. He fell awkwardly and hit the back of his head on the ice. Coyotes officials said Briere regained consciousness before he was removed on a stretcher.

Briere was diagnosed with a concussion and taken to a local hospital for observation.

Roussel was acquired by the Ducks from the Nashville Predators on Monday.

The Ducks finished the exhibition season 2-7-0.

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Paul Kariya has read the NHL’s directive to players to cut out cheap shots to the head of opponents. Kariya, who suffered a concussion that put him out for the season’s final 28 games, likes the idea of longer suspensions.

But he has another suggestion for new punishment czar Colin Campbell, who replaced Brian Burke last summer.

“Take away the instigator penalty [for fighting] and let the players decide it on the ice,” he said.

Of course, it helps that the Ducks acquired two heavyweights in Stu Grimson and Jim McKenzie during the off-season. The Ducks were pushed around because they did not have a bona fide enforcer last season.

“If people don’t see somebody like me on a team, they know they can take liberties and not be accountable,” Grimson said. “Put Jim McKenzie and I into the mix and, boom, it changes things.”

Added Kariya: “We needed some toughness. I don’t think we had a lot of teams’ respect in that department. Stu and Jim solidify us. Their presence on the bench helps us all out.”

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Coach Craig Hartsburg expects to make his final roster cuts today. The Ducks must trim their roster from 30 to 24 by Friday. The regular-season opener is Saturday at Washington.