Tverdovsky Learning on the Job

The San Jose defense got sucked to one side. Duck defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky saw things unfold--or rather unravel--and slipped back door.

A second later, Teemu Selanne fed Tverdovsky, who put the puck into the left side of the net. Like Ducks on a pond. . . . so to speak.

“Oleg is still learning,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “He’s a highly skilled player. Sometimes it’s harder for someone like that to find his boundaries. A grinder or a role player knows early in life what they’re capable of doing.

“Some nights Oleg can get away with some things, some nights he can’t. He has to learn what he can do on a nightly basis.”

The last two games, what Tverdovsky has done has been considerable.

Tverdovsky assisted on one goal and scored on the power play in the Ducks’ 5-3 victory over the Sharks Monday. He had a goal and an assist in the Ducks’ victory over Dallas Friday.

No one has denied Tverdovsky’s skill. It brought raves the day the Ducks made him the second overall pick in 1994. It was still evident when they reacquired him in June.

Now, at 23, he has shown the maturity to learn, and from some of the best.

He watches veteran defenseman Fredrik Olausson closely. He relishes chances to play with Selanne and Paul Kariya.

“Comfort has a lot to do with how you play out there,” Tverdovsky said. “Playing with those guys makes you comfortable and it makes you a better player.

“I learn a lot from Freddy. Just the little things he does that most people don’t pay attention to, but they are important. When to hesitate and when to pass. The way Paul and Teemu take advantage of every opening is amazing.”

Of course, Tverdovsky is no slouch either. When he came into the league he was considered an offensive force and has found it difficult to live up to everyone’s expectations.

Defense, he has learned, creates the opportunity.

“You can think you’re going to steal pucks and cheat a little bit, but that is not going to happen,” Tverdovsky said. “When you play defense, that’s when the offense opens up.”

Tverdovsky’s defensive play helped the Ducks’ get their first goal Monday. He forced a turnover, then found Selanne on the right side. Selanne’s shot bounced off goalie Mike Vernon’s left pad. Selanne picked it up, circled behind the net and passed to Matt Cullen, who scored to tie it, 1-1.

After Olausson scored on the power play for a 2-1 lead, Tverdovsky took a play out of Olausson’s book. He waited until the defense lost track of him, then went directly to the left side of the net and scored for a 3-1 Duck lead.

“We’re trying to play him more with Paul and Teemu,” Hartsburg said. “Things are a lot more chaotic for the other team when Oleg is on the ice. He’s tough to deal with because he’s smart and he’s quick. The reason we got Oleg is for five-on-five hockey.”