Kariya Welcomes a Break

Paul Kariya will get a chance to play hockey at the level he demands and for a team that will shine in his next game.

It just won’t be for the Mighty Ducks.

Kariya will start for the North American team Sunday in his fifth NHL All-Star game, giving him a break from his troubles and the Ducks’ woes.

“Any time you get a way for a few days, it’s welcomed,” Kariya said. “It’s a long season.”

Particularly this one. Kariya, whose work ethic and commitment are a notch above others, has suffered through a frustrating season, one that rivals 1997-98 when his holdout and a concussion limited him to 22 games.

The Ducks have dropped like a stone to last place in the Western Conference. Kariya, the team captain, missed 16 games because of a broken right foot and has 12 goals and 34 points.

“Of course it has been difficult,” Kariya said. “As a player, you’re goal is to win the Stanley Cup. It’s frustrating because in this sport, a team has to come close first. Look at the teams that have won the Stanley Cup in recent years. They have had to get close to see how to win it.”

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Right wing Jonas Ronnqvist returned to the Ducks Wednesday, after three months with the team’s minor league affiliate in Cincinnati.

Ronnqvist, who had two assists in 13 games with the Ducks earlier this season, was slowed by a knee injury.

“I came here expecting to play in the NHL,” said Ronnqvist, who is from Sweden. “I’m 27, so I didn’t come here to go to the minors. It was a frustrating time. Now I’ve learned.”

TONIGHT

at Phoenix, 6 PST

* Site--America West Arena.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 15-29-6-4, Coyotes 23-15-12-1.

* Record vs. Coyotes--1-1-1-0.

* Update--The Ducks have scored 15 goals in their last 10 games.