Ward Settles for Tussle With Low

Lance Ward was ready for a challenge from the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, particularly because he called out Keith Tkachuk after Tkachuk speared him and scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the Blues’ 2-1 victory Nov. 4 at St. Louis.

Tkachuk served the second-game of a three-game suspension for cross-checking San Jose’s Rob Davison last week, so Ward had to settle for a first-period scrap with Reed Low that energized the crowd of 14,460 at the Arrowhead Pond.

“I guess it was to be expected,” Ward said. “Any time you talk in the papers.... I wasn’t surprised he came after me, obviously. That’s the way the world works.”

The Blues also were without Doug Weight, serving the fourth game of a four-game suspension.

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Mike Babcock coached his 100th game for the Ducks. With a 47-34-10-9 record, he’s the only coach in the team’s 11-season history with a winning record.... Defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski’s first-period goal was his fifth in the NHL. He added two assists for his first three-point game.

-- Elliott Teaford