Despite Loss, Lines Solidifying

Job openings for forwards appeared to be scarce as the Ducks’ training camp rolled on with a 5-1 exhibition loss to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night at the Arrowhead Pond.

The top two lines are set, with Paul Kariya, Matt Cullen and Teemu Selanne scheduled to play on the first line and Marty McInnis, Steve Rucchin and Ted Donato slated to compose the second line.

“Who’s going to be on our third and fourth lines, that’s where the biggest competition is right now,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said.

Antti Aalto and Johan Davidsson played key roles on the third and fourth lines last season. Neither had much experience--Aalto only three games before last season and Davidsson none.

But they are expected to center the checking lines this season.

Hartsburg moved Aalto from right wing to center at the start of camp in the hope that he would excel there, giving the Ducks another hard-nosed center in the mold of Rucchin.

“We think he can develop into a physical power forward at center,” Hartsburg said of Aalto, who had three goals and eight points in 73 games last season.

“As the year went on, he learned to finish his checks. He’s smart, he’s got great skills and he’s a big guy [at 6 feet 2].”

At his postseason meetings with Aalto and Davidsson, Hartsburg stressed that each needed to come to camp stronger and in better shape. Hartsburg said he has been pleased by each so far.

“We’re hoping they both can take on more responsibility,” Hartsburg said.

*

Aalto misfired on a chance to score the game-tying goal on a penalty shot with the Ducks trailing, 2-1, late in the second period after San Jose defenseman Gary Suter hauled down Aalto on a breakaway at 15:06. San Jose goaltender Steve Shields then stopped Aalto’s penalty shot.

Vincent Damphousse, who scored twice, Owen Nolan, Patrick Marleau and Jeff Norton had the goals for the Sharks (1-0-2). Ted Drury scored the lone goal for the Ducks (1-1-1).

Dominic Roussel and Tom Askey split the goaltending duties for the Ducks. Roussel faced 11 shots and made nine saves. He would have stopped Nolan’s floater in the first period, but defenseman Scott Ferguson cut in front of him to glove the puck, then promptly dropped it into the net for San Jose’s 1-0 lead at 5:10.