By Compiled from Times wires
Published May 1, 2003
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Mike Leclerc scored on a power play with 1:47 remaining, and Mighty Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere earned his first playoff shutout Wednesday night as Anaheim defeated the Dallas Stars 1-0.
The Ducks lead the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal 3-1. The series returns to Dallas for Game 5 on Saturday. Game 6, if necessary, will be in Anaheim on Monday night.
Giguere, who is in his first postseason and has keyed the surprising Ducks' success, had 27 saves.
With Dallas' Jason Arnott off for crosschecking, Sandis Ozolinsh made a cross-ice pass to Leclerc, who wristed a shot from 20 feet that beat Marty Turco high on the glove side.
The goal, which came on Anaheim's 22nd and final shot, was Leclerc's second score in the postseason.
Giguere set a club record with eight shutouts during the regular season, then was outstanding as the Ducks swept the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in the first round.
STYLE FITS CANUCKS: Vancouver took the best page out of the Wild's playbook in Game 3 and pasted it into theirs. Even though they didn't want to admit it.
"We played our style," coach Marc Crawford said. "We try to play to the best of our ability."
Clogging the passing lanes, playing physically on the boards, forcing turnovers and managing only 13 shots on goal, the Canucks looked a lot like the Wild in their 3-2 victory Tuesday night.
Crawford was asked Wednesday if the Canucks were happy with the way they won, playing Minnesota's type of game instead of the more offensive style Vancouver usually shows.
"We're encouraged we won," Crawford said. "We look no further than that."
Both teams held sparsely attended optional skates Wednesday because of the extra day between games.
AWARDS: Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg, Canucks forward Markus Naslund and Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur were selected as finalists for the Hart Trophy, given to the league's MVP. Forsberg had 106 points and Naslund had 104 this season to top the league in scoring. Brodeur led the NHL with 41 victories and had a 2.02 goals-against average.
Brodeur also was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender, along with Ed Belfour of the Leafs and Turco.
The Stars' Derian Hatcher, the Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom and the Blues' Al MacInnis were finalists for the Norris Trophy as best defenseman. The Stars' Jere Lehtinen, the Devils' John Madden and the Wild's Wes Walz were finalists for the Selke Trophy as top defensive forward. The Blues' Barret Jackman, the Blue Jackets' Rick Nash and the Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg were finalists for the Calder Trophy as top rookie.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Penguins winger Martin Straka scored the winner to lead the Czech Republic past Finland 2-1 at Turku, Finland. The Czechs ended round-robin play atop Group D with a 3-0 record. Finland finished second, followed by Austria and Slovenia.
