Loss Not Easily Forgotten by Coach

The two-day Christmas break wasn’t long enough to make the Ducks forget an 8-2 defeat Wednesday against the Phoenix Coyotes. The loss ended their four-game winning streak and angered Coach Craig Hartsburg.

“We lost because we didn’t play enough of a team game to win,” he said. “In the third period, we came out and didn’t play like the team we’re supposed to be.”

The Ducks chucked their conscientious game plan, resorting to a freewheeling style that resulted in numerous turnovers and goals for the Coyotes.

Phoenix broke the game open with five goals in the final period. The Ducks had given up only four during their four-game winning streak.

“We turned the puck over more in the third period than in the last four games combined,” Hartsburg said. “It was fairly eye-opening and we were embarrassed by it. . . . We really got away from the things we’ve done to be successful.”

TODAY

at San Jose

2, Channel 9

* Site--San Jose Arena.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 17-14-4-1, Sharks 18-16-4-2.

* Record vs. Sharks--1-0.

* Update--The Ducks have a four-game road winning streak, longest in the NHL this season. Don’t be surprised to see rookie Gregg Naumenko in goal if Guy Hebert cannot play because of the neck spasms that forced him from Wednesday’s game. Today is the first game of a four-game trip against Western Conference opponents for the Ducks, who are eighth in the conference standings. The Ducks defeated the Sharks, 5-3, with a strong performance Oct. 11. San Jose’s Owen Nolan has a league-leading 26 goals.