Giguere Unexpectedly Becomes Spectator

Mighty Duck goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere was expecting to push on, not sit down. Nevertheless, he ended up with a front-row seat in a 4-2 loss to Phoenix on Saturday.

But after he gave up two goals in the first six minutes, Coach Mike Babcock put in backup Martin Gerber.

Giguere spent the rest of the game behind the net at the south end of the America West Arena, where the visiting team’s reserve goalie sits.

“I was a little surprised to get pulled,” Giguere said. “I wasn’t panicking out there. The game was still young. I know you are digging yourself out of a hole, and I wasn’t happy with my start, but I would have liked to stay in there and battled back

“I realize he was doing that for the momentum switch and that is part of being a goalie.”

Gerber gave up one goal and ended up with the loss.

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Center Adam Oates batted a puck into the net 13:28 into the first period, but referees ruled that he had his stick above the crossbar and disallowed the goal. Replays were not conclusive and the call stood.

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Jason Krog’s second-period goal extended his point streak to three games, two goals and one assist. He is the 10th Duck player to reach 10 goals this season....Kariya needs one goal to become the first player with 300 as a Duck.

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TODAY

vs. Calgary, 5

Channel 9

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 35-26-8-4, Flames 24-33-10-4.

Record vs. Flames -- 2-1.

Update -- The Ducks’ Rob Niedermayer, acquired last Tuesday from the Flames, faces his former teammates for the first time. Goalie J.F. Damphousse and defenseman Mike Commodore, traded to Calgary for Niedermayer, were assigned to the Flames’ minor league team.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.