Sunday, February 06, 2000
Mighty Ducks 4, Albany 3
Score 3 goals in final 7 minutes
BY JOHN P. WISE If Yogi Berra would have been at the Gardens Saturday night for the Mighty Ducks' 4-3 victory over 4-3 Mighty Ducks defeat of Albany, he'd have said something brilliant. For this game certainly didn't end until it was over.
Enquirer contributor If Yogi Berra would have been at the Gardens Saturday night for the Mighty Ducks' 4-3 victory over 4-3 Mighty Ducks defeat of Albany, he'd have said something brilliant. For this game certainly didn't end until it was over.
The Mighty Ducks scored three goals in the final seven minutes to overcome a 3-1 deficit and defeat the Albany River Rats 4-3 Saturday night at Cincinnati Gardens.
Cincinnati had been 1-19-0 entering the third period while trailing, and Albany was 15-1-1 entering the final period with a lead.
The once-slumping Ducks now have three wins in their last four outings, but still remain far behind the Mid-Atlantic Division pack.
“We know we have to play desparate hockey,” said Bob Wren, whose wrap-around goal with 3:03 left was the game-winner.
One of his two assists earlier in the evening accounted for his 200th career point as a Duck. “I didn't even know about it until someone told me after the game,” Wren said. “It's a nice personal milestone, but we've got to get into the playoffs.”
Torrey DiRoberto and Phil Audet also scored third-period goals for the Ducks. Cincinnati's B.J. Young tied the game at 1-1 with his 20th goal of the season in the first period. Richard Rochefort, Pierre Dagenais and Steve Brule scored for Albany.
Cincinnati goalie Gregg Naumenko earned his first win in 11 starts since Dec. 19. Once one of the best rookies in the league, Naumenko's personal slump was significant enough for the team to recall Ryan Hoople from ECHL Huntington several weeks ago.
He's won three of five starts, but Saturday was Naumenko's chance to bolster his spot as the No. 1 goalie.
“My mom drove down for the weekend,” said Naumenko, who made 24 saves and pushed his record to 13-17-5. “I always seem to play better when she's around.”
Cincinnati is off until Friday, when divisional nemesis Louisville visits the Gardens.
Albany ....... 1 1 1—3
Cincinnati ....... 1 0 3—4
First period: Alb, Rochefort 6 (Cunniff, Kelly) 2:21; Cin, Young 20 (Wren, Audet) 13:08 (pp).
Second period: Alb, Dagenais 25 (Brule, White) 9:04 (pp).
Third period: Alb, Brule 18 (Marshall, Kelly) 5:00; Cin, DiRoberto 12 (Wren, Ferguson) 13:10; Cin, Audet 14 (Wallin, Chouinard) 15:52; Cin, Wren 12 (Ferguson, Stevenson) 16:57.
Shots on goal: Alb, 11-8-8=27; Cin, 13-12-12=37. Goalies: Alb, Damphousse (33 saves); Cin, Naumenko (24). Power plays: Alb, 1-for-5; Cin, 1-for-5.
Attendance: 7,892.
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