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SPORTS Friday 15 February 2019
Ducks top Canucks

1-0 in Murray's debut

to end losing streak

By DAN GREENSPAN the same time we'll take a
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — A win however it looks right
fresh start was exactly what now. Hopefully this will get
the Anaheim Ducks need- a huge load off our back
ed. and we can start building
Kevin Boyle made 35 off this."
saves in his first career start Anaheim didn't offer much
and the Ducks beat the aesthetically, generat-
Vancouver Canucks 1-0 ing one shot during three
Wednesday night in gen- power-play opportunities
eral manager Bob Murray's and often struggling to
first game as interim coach. cleanly get the puck out of
Jakob Silfverberg scored to its own zone. But the Ducks
help Anaheim end a seven- did play with a feisty edge
game losing streak, a skid throughout the increasingly
which prompted Murray to chippy game, showing the Anaheim Ducks goaltender Kevin Boyle, left, deflects the puck as teammate Josh Manson and
Vancouver Canucks' Bo Horvat watch during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednes-
fire coach Randy Carlyle emotion and pushback day, Feb. 13, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks won 1-0.
on Sunday and take over Murray believed had been Associated Press
for the rest of the season. lacking as they dropped 19
The 64-year-old Murray had of their previous 21 games first victory since a road win Murray certainly seemed to "I always told you it's very
never coached profession- to plummet into last place over New Jersey on Jan. 19. be making the most of his easy upstairs, but it was
ally at any level but got in the Western Conference. "Emotion is something unexpected time on the good," Murray said. "I en-
the response he had been Veteran forward Ryan Kes- we've been kind of miss- bench, offering a sheepish joyed being around the
looking for, with Silfverberg ler got into a fight with Josh ing, but at the same time grin when he was shown guys and, again, tonight
scoring 6:30 into the first pe- Leivo less than two minutes you got to do it the right on camera to start the everything was positive so
riod to give the Ducks their after Silfverberg scored, way," Silfverberg said. "You game. Despite delegating it was easier."
first lead since getting the and Ducks captain Ryan can't just go out there and tasks such as line changes It helped that Murray
opening goal in a 5-1 loss Getzlaf scrapped with Erik try to look to run guys over to assistants Mark Morrison had the benefit of Boyle,
at St. Louis on Jan. 23. Gudbranson in the second cause then you're going to and Marty Wilford, Murray a 26-year-old undrafted
"If you look at it, it wasn't period. be spending the rest of the admitted the game was rookie, joining John Gibson
a clean game from us," Silfverberg felt the Ducks game in the penalty box much faster from his new as the second Ducks goalie
Silfverberg said. "We can channeled that passion in and you're not going to vantage point after years to record a shutout in his
always improve, but at the right way to earn their have any fun." of watching from up high. first NHL start.q

Koivu 'totally confident'

in return from ACL surgery

By DAVE CAMPBELL strength has never been in collision with Sabres for-
AP Sports Writer doubt, but the torn anterior ward Tage Thompson .
Leaning on his crutches, just cruciate ligament and me- Receiving medical clear-
six days after reconstructive niscus cartilage he suffered ance for the 2019-20 sea-
surgery on his right knee, in a game at Buffalo on son opener will be an ad-
Mikko Koivu was asked if Feb. 5 has raised a question ditionally hefty challenge,
he had concern about his about the Wild captain's but Koivu, who was drafted In this Jan. 23, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Wild center Mikko
ability to return to the Min- future considering this ma- sixth overall in 2001 by the Koivu questions a call with a referee in the second period of an
nesota Wild next season at jor late-career injury. Koivu Wild out of Finland and NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, in Denver.
age 36. will enter the final year of has topped the franchise Associated Press
Just as if he were corralling his contract this summer, leaderboards in several
a puck with a quick flick of with a $5.5 million charge statistical categories over Conference . They host the Joel Eriksson Ek has been
his stick on a faceoff, Koivu against the salary cap. his 14-year career, cast his New Jersey Devils on Fri- a productive fill-in over the
didn't flinch. Factoring in the typical ACL familiar steely gaze toward day night, the only team last four games, but Koivu's
"Yes, I'm totally confident. recovery timetable, the the daunting rehabilitation they've beaten in February. absence requires more
I think those are just num- chance is slim that Koivu will that's ahead. "We're going to make the than simply replacing a
bers," Koivu said. "I think it's be ready to join his team- "It's a fact that this knee will playoffs. That's about as second-line center.
about your effort, the way mates for on-ice drills at the be stronger than I've ever elaborate as I'm going to "In the locker room, outside
you take care of yourself start of training camp. experienced," Koivu said. get," coach Bruce Bou- the locker room. The little
on and off the ice, and at "I think it's too early to talk "The rest of it is up to me." dreau said. "You want me things of playing against
the end, it's going to be a about it too much, but The Wild are just 1-4-2 this to predict how many wins every team's top center,
battle. But if you're strong that's definitely my goal," month and 1-3 without we're going to have? Not every faceoff that's impor-
enough, you're going to be Koivu said Thursday after Koivu, currently clinging to going to happen. But we're tant, every time you need
able to do it." the Wild's practice, his first the eighth and final post- going to make the play- something," Boudreau
Koivu's determination and public comments since the season spot in the Western offs." said.q