Dirty Ducks give Senators a chance
OTTAWA: The Anaheim Ducks have been treading a fine line between hard-hitting and dirty play throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs and stepped over it again in their 5-3 Game Three loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
The Ducks arrived in the Canadian capital leading the best-of-seven final 2-0 following two one-goal victories in Anaheim.
But undisciplined play cost the Ducks the game, the series momentum and all-star defenseman Chris Pronger to a one-game suspension for a vicious hit to the head of Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond.
Pronger, a Norris trophy finalist as the NHL's top defenseman, were not play Game Four yesterday, boosting the Senators' chances of sending the series back to Southern California level at 2-2.
It was second time this post-season that Pronger has come under scrutiny by the disciplinary committee. He also received a one-game ban for an illegal hit on Detroit Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom during the Western Conference finals.
Pronger also incurred the wrath of coach Randy Carlyle, who found it hard to defend his all-star.
"I'm not happy with Chris Pronger," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle told reporters. "But the positives that Chris Pronger brings to the table far outweigh any of the negatives.
"This is a negative and he's been part of two of them.
"This group has been able to deal with adversity on numerous occasions and this one is just another one along the way."
The most penalised team during the NHL regular season, the Ducks have continued to display a mean streak throughout the playoffs but in the finals the consequences could prove costly.
Despite the risks, a defiant Ducks general manager Brian Burke said his team would not back away from its physical style of play.
"We play a certain style. It's been successful for us," said Burke. "We're not a dirty team. We're a physical team. There's a big difference."
Agencies
(China Daily 06/05/2007 page24)
