Crowley Earning Keep With Recent Upsurge

Mighty Duck defenseman Mike Crowley’s somewhat unusual career has taken an upturn.

Crowley, 25, was not in the Ducks’ plans this season, and a spot couldn’t even be found for him in the team’s media guide. Yet, in the last seven games he has been vital, with six assists and a plus/minus rating of nine.

Pretty good numbers for a guy who started the season with Grand Rapids of the International League.

“All that snow and cold seems a long time ago,” Crowley said. “I know it has only been a few months, but Grand Rapids seems like such a long time ago.”

Or maybe it’s just how far Crowley has come. The Ducks, desperate for any kind of defensive help, signed Crowley to a one-year contract on Dec. 7 in what seemed like a minor move at best.

Crowley played in only seven of 20 games after signing. He assisted on two Paul Kariya goals, one of which was on a power play, in a 6-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday.

He also assisted on Mike Leclerc’s game-tying goal with 1:06 to play against the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 14.

“I’m playing a little more on the power play and I’m getting five-on-five opportunities with Paul and Teemu [Selanne],” Crowley said. “Those two are so good that it’s a benefit to anyone else who is on the ice with them.”

Crowley played 28 games with the Ducks over two seasons in 1997-98 and 1998-99. He played with the Long Beach Ice Dogs last season and this season signed with Grand Rapids.

“Mike is an offensive-minded defenseman,” Coach Guy Charron said. “We want him to join the rush and use his energy. I think he’s gaining confidence to do that and he’s playing up to his potential.”

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Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 3-2-2 with a 2.08 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage in his last seven starts. His shutout Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks was the first of his NHL career.

TONIGHT

at San Jose, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--San Jose Arena.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 18-31-8-5, Sharks 33-17-10-0.

* Record vs. Sharks--1-0-0-1.

* Update--Teemu Selanne has seven goals and six assists in his last eight games, not a good sign for the Sharks. Selanne has 35 goals and 71 points in 40 games against San Jose. The Sharks are without their top two scorers. Owen Nolan is serving an 11-game suspension and Vincent Damphousse is sidelined because of a shoulder injury.