It’s a Milestone Night for Hull, but Ducks Aren’t Celebrating

Brett Hull got his 600th NHL goal here Friday.

And No. 601, too.

All the Mighty Ducks got was more frustration in a 5-4 loss against Hull and the Dallas Stars before an announced crowd of 17,001 at Reunion Arena.

With Dallas trailing, 4-3, but on a power-play, Hull ripped a one-timer from the high slot past Duck goaltender Guy Hebert at 6:36 of the third period.

Hull’s 600th goal came in his 900th NHL game.

He joined an exclusive club of 11 others in league history who have scored 600 goals. He’s the second Hull on the list, joining his father, Bobby, a former Chicago Blackhawk, who scored 610 goals.

“Finally, it’s over,” said Hull, whose father was unable to attend Friday’s game because of a scheduling conflict. “It’s particularly neat since I also got the last goal of the century.”

Hull’s 601st goal gave Dallas a 5-4 lead at the 8:49 mark, sending the Ducks to their third consecutive loss.

The game-winner also was a quick shot that whistled past Hebert, a former teammate when both played for the St. Louis Blues in the early 1990s.

“I had him [shut out] for a while,” Hebert said. “I didn’t want to be the victim, but I was.”

Hull’s second goal of the game happened seconds after Duck Teemu Selanne had been tackled in front of the Dallas net by defenseman Jamie Pushor, who was not penalized. Dallas rushed up the ice with the puck while Selanne screamed for a penalty.

Friday’s game featured wild shifts in momentum, some questionable officiating and a roaring New Year’s Eve crowd hoping to see Hull score his 600th.

Hull was blanked in the first two periods, although he didn’t lack for quality scoring chances.

Early in the game, Hull broke in alone against Hebert, but was denied on a quick shot. In the second period, he had an open net while the Stars were on a power play.

But his shot was deflected out of harm’s way by defenseman Jason Marshall midway through the period.

The Ducks didn’t have the same success muzzling Hull’s teammates.

Dallas led, 1-0, after 1:24, Jere Lehtinen scoring on his first touch on his first shift since returning from a broken ankle that sidelined him for 30 games.

The Ducks roared back for a 2-1 lead on goals from Matt Cullen and Paul Kariya.

Dallas rallied with two power-play goals in the second period for a 3-2 lead.

First, defenseman Darryl Sydor’s flip from the top of the left faceoff circle slipped past Hebert at 3:04. Next, Richard Jackman scored his first NHL goal with a shot from the right point that banked into the net off the skate of Marshall.

Duck defenseman Pavel Trnka was given a double minor for high-sticking Dallas’ Brendan Morrow in the face, setting up the goal. TV replays indicated Trnka’s skate blade caught Morrow as he attempted to free himself from the Dallas winger.

Neither Lance Roberts nor Bernie Legrace, Friday’s referees, whistled Trnka for a penalty initially. But after huddling with linesmen Lonnie Cameron and Brad Lazarowich, it was determined that Trnka should serve four minutes.

An interference penalty against Marty McInnis at 16:21 of the second put Dallas on the power play again. But Kariya scored the Ducks’ first shorthanded goal this season, lifting a rebound past Manny Fernandez for a 3-3 tie at 18:01.