O’Sullivan’s Assist Was a Minor Feat

Defenseman Chris O’Sullivan picked up his first assist since the 1999-2000 season on Thursday. His reward: a trip to Cincinnati -- the minor leagues. He was moved to clear a spot for Pavel Trnka, who has recovered from a groin injury.

“I knew that this was only going to be for a short time,” O’Sullivan said. “All I can do is work hard and hope I get a chance to help this team again.”

That was the plan when General Manager Bryan Murray signed O’Sullivan and other fringe NHL players during the off-season. Lack of depth in the organization had been a problem in previous seasons, including last season.

O’Sullivan played in two games, in place of Fredrik Olausson, who was a healthy scratch, and helped the Ducks’ power play get in gear in the second period Thursday. O’Sullivan fired a shot from the point that was stopped. In the scrum that followed, Paul Kariya knocked the puck in. O’Sullivan did not get an assist on the play, but got one later on another Kariya power-play goal.

“Finally we have some depth, guys in Cincinnati who can contribute when we bring them up,” Murray said. “We have never had that before.”

The Ducks are also getting contributions from center Jason Krog, who has played the last two games.

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Matt Cullen has thrived with his return to playing center for the Mighty Ducks. He has three goals in three games.

Cullen was moved back to center four games ago, after Adam Oates suffered a broken left hand against Vancouver. Cullen has clicked as a goal scorer, getting the game-winner in a 4-1 victory over Boston on Thursday.

He scored against Toronto to tie the score, 1-1, in a game the Ducks lost, 5-2, Monday. He also scored in a 2-2 tie with Montreal on Tuesday.

It hasn’t been a completely smooth transition, though. Cullen has struggled in the faceoff circle. He won only one of eight draws against Edmonton last Saturday, three of 16 against Toronto and two of 10 against Boston.

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The World Series trophy will be on display Sunday at the Arrowhead Pond during the Ducks’ game against San Jose. The trophy can be seen on the arena’s main level.