One Saving Grace Has Been the Play of Hebert in Goal

There is no denying the Mighty Ducks are coming off a disappointing 1-1-1 trip.

But there is one consolation: Guy Hebert looked more like his former self, and not just because dark roots are showing under his bleach-blond dye job.

Hebert was nearly flawless in St. Louis, giving up one power-play goal in the 1-0 loss Tuesday. He then was flawless in the 1-0 victory over Minnesota Friday.

And the 5-2 loss to Columbus Wednesday could not be laid at his crease. Hebert let in three goals on six shots before being pulled. The defense was more to blame, as was Coach Craig Hartsburg, who started Hebert on back-to-back nights, a rarity.

Even with the Columbus game, Hebert has stopped 90 of 94 shots in the past week. He has two shutouts, the Minnesota game and a 4-0 victory over the Kings last Sunday.

“I’m not doing anything different,” Hebert said. “Sometimes things go in cycles.

“I don’t try to analyze things when they’re going a little bit better. When they’re going bad, then I analyze them to death.”

There must have been quite a bit of soul searching going on earlier this season. Before shutting out the Kings, Hebert was bottom feeding. Only two goalies that play regularly had worse save percentages, only three had worse goals-against averages.

That changed when Hebert made 29 saves against the Kings, among them five on a power play early in the third period with the Ducks leading, 2-0. He has built on that performance.

“We know he’s a good goalie and he is showing us right now,” Hartsburg said.

Hebert has been a cornerstone of Duck success in the past, particularly when they made the playoffs in 1998-99. But injuries slowed him last season and the number of soft goals he allowed climbed.

There was more of the same this season. Things began to look bleak when Hebert missed four games because of a shoulder injury. Then he returned and blanked the Kings.

“The guys in front of me are doing a great job of letting me see the puck,” he said. “That’s just a big thing. If I can get a better look at the pucks coming in . . . then you’re not reacting at the last moment and giving up a rebound. You’re more in control.

“There’s an urgency right now. I’ve tried to buckle down and be prepared.”

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The Ducks sent center Antti Aalto back to Cincinnati of the American Hockey League, the second time this season they have demoted him to the minors.

TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 5

Channel 9

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 10-14-4-3; Stars 14-8-4-1.

* 1999-2000 record vs. Stars--3-3.

* Update--The Ducks killed 10 penalties against the expansion Wild Friday. They can’t afford to spend so much time in the box this time. The Stars have scored at least one power play goal in their last 11 games.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.