Lupul Operates Stick Shift in Two-Goal Performance

Mighty Duck forward Joffrey Lupul has learned on many levels this season. The NHL level, where he has blossomed as a rookie, and the minor league level, where he was shipped briefly in January.

The lessons Lupul absorbed were put to good use Wednesday as his two-goal performance led the Ducks to a 4-2 victory over Edmonton in front of an announced 15,235 at the Arrowhead Pond.

Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped 24 of 26 shots. Niclas Havelid and Samuel Pahlsson scored goals. But Lupul did the lion’s share offensively in ending the Oilers’ seven-game winning streak against the Ducks.

Lupul scored what proved to be the game-winner in the third period by banging in front of the net, then displayed his offensive skills -- using Jason Krog’s stick -- to score the clincher with 3 minutes 6 seconds left in the game.

That allowed the Ducks to talk about their faint playoff hopes another day, as they are eight points out of eighth place. It also ended a seven-game goal-less streak for Lupul, solidifying his spot on the Duck roster.

“[General Manager] Bryan Murray said that if you’re a young guy and not scoring, then you need to be in the minors,” Duck Coach Mike Babcock said. “I reminded Joffrey of that today.”

Lupul then sent a little reminder to Babcock and Murray why he was the seventh player taken in the 2002 draft.

His bonus was dampening the playoff hopes of his hometown team. The victory over the Oilers left them tied with the Ducks for 10th place in the Western Conference.

“I’m sure I had some friends watching this one and they may not be too happy with me,” said Lupul, who grew up in Edmonton, Canada. “I know they’re big Oiler fans. This will be a tough one for them. Maybe they’ll be a little happy for me.”

The Ducks were certainly pleased.

Twice the Oilers pulled within a goal in the third period. Both times Lupul answered.

He did the bump and grind in front of the Edmonton net and was in perfect position to sweep in a rebound for a 3-1 lead 4:31 into the third period. Lupul then displayed his hockey skills, with an assist to Krog. Lupul took a pass from Sergei Fedorov and buried a shot in the upper part of the net for a 4-2 Duck lead. He did so with Krog’s stick.

“I cross-checked someone behind [our] net and went to the bench and just took a stick,” said Lupul, who has 11 goals this season. “As soon as I got it, Sergei put the puck on my tape.”

Lupul is the second Duck rookie in as many seasons to reach double figures in goals scored. He was also front row to see Stanislav Chistov, who had 12 goals in 2002-03, unravel in his sophomore season. The slumping Chistov was shipped to minor league Cincinnati, a destination Lupul managed to keep off his itinerary with Wednesday’s performance.