Monday, December 13, 1999
Mighty Ducks 2, Philadelphia 1
Busy Ducks win fifth in last eight games
BY JOHN P. WISE
Enquirer contributor
The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks completed a stretch of eight games in 10 days Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia at the Gardens. After October and most of November saw the AHL team play the fewest games in the league, Cincinnati spends this week recovering from 15 games in 26 days.
“It's time to relax a little and think about how good this team has played in this stretch,” said Ducks coach Moe Mantha, whose team improved to 13-8-4-2 before 3,486. The team completes the eight-game stretch with five wins and remains in third place in the Mid-Atlantic Division with 32 points. “I'm proud of the way the guys played through this whole span. They played real smart.”
Phil Audet scored just 13 seconds in, the earliest goal in Ducks history, and Gregg Naumenko delivered another solid performance in goal.
“I have a great understanding of the guys playing defense in front of me,” Naumenko said. “I communicate with them and they communicate with me, and maybe once a game I won't see a shot. They do a great job of clearing things out in front of me.”
Naumenko pushed his record to 11-6-3 with his 33-save effort. The rookie lost his second shutout of the year midway through the final period despite his team's man-advantage at the time. Philadelphia's Mike Maneluk skated in uncontestedly and dropped a shot off Naumenko's left shoulder and into the net.
Philadelphia ....... 0 0 1-1
Cincinnati ....... 1 1 0-2
First period — Cin Audet 6 (unassisted) :13.
Second period — Cin Davidsson 5 (Trebil, Young) 19:30 (ppg).
Third period — Phi Maneluk 11 (Washburn, Bast) 7:22 (shg).
Shots on goal: Phi 10-15-9 34; Cin 12-10-12 34. Power plays: Phi 0-for-6; Cin 1-for-6. Goalies: Phi Pelletier (32 saves); Cin Naumenko (33). Attendance: 3,486. Time: 2:38
Sports Stories
BENGALS 44, BROWNS 28
Coslet bungles Dillon's shot at history
Late-season run familiar, meaningless
Cinergy goes out with a roar
Grand finale (maybe) for Blake
Yeast, Mack provide many happy returns
Dillon nears Bengals' season record
Bengals-Browns statistics
Reds chase Irabu, Lee
Bowden: Griffey deal dead - honest
Winter meetings roundup
Xavier talk must wait for UC
