Things Look Up for Ducks

The Mighty Ducks reached the all-star break looking very much like a work in progress, an encouraging state considering their broken-down condition at this point last season.

All that is good, and bad, about the Ducks showed itself at various times in a 3-3 tie Thursday against the Phoenix Coyotes at America West Arena.

Unlike last January, when they were 15-25-8 at the break, the Ducks have a pulse. Thursday’s tie gave them a 17-19-9 record, which is their best at the break in their six-season history.

The Ducks also have a growing confidence and two of the best wingers in the NHL in Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne, who are headed today to Tampa Bay for Sunday’s All-Star game. The Ducks’ defense is better than expected and they continue to get solid goaltending.

Now, for the downside.

The Ducks squander third-period leads at an alarming rate. They spend too much time in the penalty box, ruining their momentum by taking silly penalties. They also rely too heavily on Kariya and Selanne for their offense.

“We’re on the verge,” Kariya said. “We’re doing a lot of good things. It’s crunch time now and we’ve got to get going.”

The Ducks have actually come close to pleasing chronically dour Coach Craig Hartsburg in the last two games.

Although they lost, 4-3, Wednesday to the New Jersey Devils and were tied Thursday by Phoenix, Hartsburg acknowledged seeing signs that better days might be ahead for the Ducks.

“I think we’ve made progress from where we were last summer,” Hartsburg said. “There’s a better feeling of what we have to do to win. We’re not satisfied, but I think the overall picture is good. I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

The Ducks appeared to be pointed toward a victory Thursday, holding a 3-2 lead midway through the third period.

But Phoenix defenseman Teppo Numminen’s shot from the slot eluded Duck goalie Dominic Roussel and helped the Coyotes rally for a 3-3 tie.

Mike Stapleton and Greg Adams also scored for the Coyotes. Kariya, Selanne and Ted Drury scored for the Ducks, 4-1-4 against the Pacific Division, including 1-0-2 against Phoenix.

Roussel made his second consecutive start in place of Guy Hebert, who was at home with the flu, and stopped 41 of 44 shots. Roussel struggled to make the easy saves in Wednesday’s loss to the Devils, but looked sharper Thursday against the Coyotes.

“I thought Dom really bounced back well,” Hartsburg said. “I thought he was outstanding. It’s really important to get solid goaltending.”

The Ducks gave Roussel a 1-0 lead, but the Coyotes rallied to tie. The Ducks led, 2-1, but Phoenix rallied again. The Ducks led, 3-2, but Numminen tied the score one final time.

Roussel couldn’t be faulted, however.

Besides, the Ducks might have been better off if they paraded to the penalty box late in the second period.

Finally, with the Coyotes holding a two-man advantage, Adams scored for a 2-2 tie at 17:08 of the second period.

Kariya then put the Ducks ahead with his 20th goal and league-leading 61st point at 18:51.

“I know he can play so much better,” Selanne said of Kariya. “The greatest thing about our line is that we can be way better.”

As for the rest of his teammates, Selanne added, “Now, we are smarter and more experienced and more comfortable with each other. This is a hungry team. The second half will show how good we can be.”

The Ducks traditionally have been a better team after the All-Star break.

In 1996-97, their 19-11-8 record propelled them to their first winning record and the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs..

But Hartsburg was in no mood to rehash the Ducks’ glory days, such as they are, but he admitted he was encouraged by the team’s effort and execution the last two games.

“We keep plugging away and the rewards will come for us,” he said.