Sunday, October 03, 1999
Mighty Ducks 4, Kentucky 1
BY MARK SCHMETZER
Enquirer contributor
As neighborhood rivalries go, there have been times when the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks might have wanted to change their address.
Two years ago, in their first home opener, the Mighty Ducks lost 11-6 to their rivals down Interstate 75, the Kentucky Thoroughblades.
Last season, Cincinnati was able to win only two of its 12 games against the T-blades.
But the Mighty Ducks, with 15 new faces on the roster, including five rookies, looked right at home during their sea son-opener against Kentucky on Saturday night at Cincinnati Gardens.
Cincinnati, behind the cool netminding of rookie Gregg Naumenko and two goals each by rookie left wing Maxim Balmochnykh and his veteran counterpart, Jeremy Stevenson, won their second consecutive season-opener, 4-1.
“The difference was, last year, (Kentucky) had a good hockey team and we were mediocre,” Ducks coach Moe Mantha. “This year, we're more on the same level.”
Naumenko stopped 27 shots and frequently collected rebounds and found open team mates.
“I got so much support from the defensive guys,” Naumenko said. “They were talking to me and keeping my spirits up and keeping me optimistic. Plus they played so soundly. They moved guys out and let me see the puck. They made it easy.”
The Mighty Ducks (1-0-0-0) opened their third season of play in the American Hockey League before a crowd of 7,075, which gave a standing ovation to Pete Rose, who dropped the ceremonial first puck before the game.
Balmochnykh and Kentucky's (0-2-0) Mike Craig traded first-period goals, Balmo chnykh scoring the first of his career. Stevenson gave the Mighty Ducks the lead early in the second period.
Stevenson and Balmochnykh each added third-period insurance goals.
Kentucky ....... 1 0 0—1
Cincinnati ....... 1 1 2—4
First Period: 1, Kentucky, Craig 2, (Hannan, Friedman), 13:29. 2, Cincinnati, Balmochnykh 1, (Diroberto, Davidsson), 18:13.
Second Period: 3, Cincinnati, Stevenson 1, 3:53.
Third Period: 4, Cincinnati, Balmochnykh, (Chouinard), 7:53. 5, Cincinnati, Stevenson 2, (Davidsson, Young), 11:19.
Shots on goal—Kentucky 9-12-7-28; Cincinnati 11-13-14-38. Power play opportunities—Kentucky 0-of-4; Cincinnati 0-of-6. Goalies—Kentucky, Mikka Kiprusoff 0-1-0, (38 shots-34 saves); Cincinnati, Gregg Naumenko 1-0-0, (28 shots-27 saves). A—
7,075. Referee—Brad Meirer; Linesmen-John Campbell, Rob Cottingham.
Sports Stories
SPORTS ON TV-RADIO
Vindication or villification?
What's good for century is good for Hall
Wisconsin 42, Ohio State 17
Buckeyes' injuries add to insult of loss
Marshall 32, Miami 14
Alexander struts Heisman stuff
Kentucky 31, Arkansas 20
Receiving corps seemingly endless
Wilmington 45, Mount St. Joseph 8
Alma 35, Thomas More 7
Kalamazoo 5, Cyclones 4
 Mighty Ducks 4, Kentucky 1
Purcell-Marian breaks soccer drought
Sympathy touches Ross football coach
Chaminade Julienne 42, McNicholas 18
Highlands 45, CovCath 7
Oak Hills 43, Zanesville 40
Zanesville Rosecrans 38, Lockland 7
Boys soccer tournament pairings
Girls soccer tournament pairings
Sheffield finds niche at Louisville
CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
N.KY. HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
|
WIN OR ELSE
Harnisch carries hopes on final day
Brewers 10, Reds 6
Box, runs
Mets 7, Pirates 0
Astros 3, Dodgers 0
Dodgers doing Reds no favors
Ticket info for Monday playoff
First one to 100 loses
Bengals think offensive
Can Bengals lose to Arena Football QB?
Milne can help team with mouth
BENGALS-RAMS BY THE NUMBERS
WHO HAS THE EDGE?
PLAYERS TO WATCH
