Saturday, March 04, 2000
Mighty Ducks 3, Syracuse 2
BY JOHN P. WISE
Enquirer contributor
With 18 games left, it could sound premature to label some of the Mighty Ducks' remaining games as those of the must-win variety. But when you're in fifth place and chasing an idle team 11 points ahead of you for the final playoff spot, there should be a sense of urgency.
Despite losing a lead for the third straight game, the Ducks earned a 3-2 victory against Syracuse when Marc Chouinard scored his second goal of the game 94 seconds into overtime.
Chouinard rebounded his own miss off the pads of Syracuse goalie Alfie Michaud and banged home the game-winning goal Chouinard rebounded his own miss off the pads of Syracuse goalie Alfie Michaud for the overtime win, clinching the center's second occasion earning first star of the game honors. His second-period goal came on a nifty backhand shot from close range that gave the home team a 2-0 lead.
“There was nothing unusual about (Friday); I was just in the right place at the right time,” said Chouinard, whose second- period goal was a nifty back-hander from close range that gave the home team a 2-0 lead.
In ending a six-game winless streak, Cincinnati moves to within nine points of fourth-place Louisville in the Mid-Atlantic Division.
“When we lost the lead, everyone was still positive and very encouraging on the bench,” said Chouinard, who earned first star of the game honors for the second time this year. “We felt like we were going to win no matter what it took. Every game is so important for us from now on.”
Syracuse ....... 0 1 1 0—2
Cincinnati ....... 1 1 0 0—2
First period: Cin, Ferguson 5 (Laplante, Wren) 13:17.
Second period: Cin, Chouinard 11 (Banham, Kuznetsov) 7:30; Syr, Savage 25 (Komarniski, Holden) 18:02.
Third period: Syr, Kariya 12 (O'Sullivan) 13:13.
Overtime: Cin, Chouinard (2) 12 (Audet, Wallin) 1:34.
Shots on goal: Syr, 10-7-6-1=24; Cin, 15-15-8-2=40. Power plays: Syr, 0-for-2; Cin, 0-for-1. Goalies: Syr, Michaud (37 saves); Cin, Hoople (22).
Attendance 4,319.
B's BLANK T-BLADES: Peter Ferraro had a hat trick and Kay Whitmore recorded his first shutout of the year as the Providence Bruins beat the Kentucky Thoroughblades 5-0 in the AHL. Jay Henderson added two assists. Jason Krog had a goal and an assist.
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