Phoenix Showdown Could Turn Into Sunday Skirmish

No one expects the Mighty Ducks’ game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Arrowhead Pond on Sunday to be a timid affair, particularly the talkative Coyotes. After all, they are still cranky because the Ducks knocked them out of the first round of the 1996-97 playoffs.

The Coyotes are also mad at the Ducks because defenseman Ruslan Salei injured center Daniel Briere during an exhibition game Oct. 6 at Phoenix.

The Coyotes have vowed to retaliate against Salei, who is eligible to play after serving a five-game suspension for tripping Briere and giving him a concussion.

Briere apparently has recovered. He was assigned to Las Vegas of the International Hockey League earlier this week.

The Ducks, bolstered by the off-season acquisitions of enforcers Stu Grimson and Jim McKenzie, appear to be ready for whatever the Coyotes have in mind--not that the Coyotes are particularly imposing.

Phoenix does not have a fighting major this season. The Coyotes also are the league’s least-penalized team, averaging 11 minutes a game. Right wing Jim Cummins is their only enforcer.

“When we got those guys this summer there was a clear message that there’s going to be some respect now,” Duck right wing Teemu Selanne said of Grimson and McKenzie. “Most of the time those guys don’t have to do anything. I don’t want anyone to think no one can touch us, but there’s a limit between a clean hit and a dirty hit.”

Expect those limits to be tested Sunday.

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So far, it has been difficult to know what has been more impressive about left wing Paul Kariya’s game this season: his scoring touch or his physical play.

Despite sitting out 28 games last season because of post-concussion syndrome, Kariya has not shied from the rough stuff. He belted Boston defenseman Ray Bourque against the boards in the latest demonstration of his newfound toughness.

“I’m not the biggest guy in the world,” Kariya said, “but if there’s a hit there, I’ll make it.”

Kariya, who has a team-leading three goals and six points, said he feels out of sync offensively.

“Especially early in games, I don’t feel like the timing is right yet,” he said. “It’s almost like I’m thinking too much.”

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Coach Craig Hartsburg was happy to see Scotty Bowman, who underwent angioplasty and knee replacement surgery during the off-season, resume coaching the Detroit Red Wings on Friday.

“All young players should look up to the veterans in this league and all young coaches should look up to Scotty,” Hartsburg said. “I have a great deal of respect for him. He’s done a lot of great things.”