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Mara's late goal lifts Ducks over Predators

Nov 8, 2010 - 5:04 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Paul Mara scored his first goal in a Ducks uniform with 1.7 seconds left in the third period, as Anaheim snuck past Nashville, 5-4, at the Honda Center.

Saku Koivu scored two goals for the Ducks, who finished their homestand with a perfect 3-0 mark. Teemu Selanne had a goal and an assist for Anaheim, which also got a goal from Lubomir Visnovsky.

Jonas Hiller stopped 20-of-24 shots for the victors.

"It was an ugly game, certainly not one we want to put in the archives," said forward Bobby Ryan. "We have to do a better job in front of Hillsy and a better job managing the puck through the neutral zone. It's something we'll focus on."

Patric Hornqvist, Cody Franson, and Cal O'Reilly each had a goal and an assist for the Predators, who have lost five in a row for the first time since January 18-29. Steve Sullivan also lit the lamp.

Anders Lindback turned aside 32-of-37 shots in defeat.

"The biggest thing is that it was a really tough loss," said Nashville head coach Barry Trotz. "I like the resiliency we showed, but obviously I didn't like the outcome. We played hard enough to get at least a point out of here and go from there. But it's a tough loss from our standpoint."

With time winding down in regulation, Ryan gathered a loose puck at the bottom of the right circle for the Ducks. Ryan slid a perfect pass in front of the net for a streaking Mara, who chipped the puck into the net for the win with 1.7 seconds left.

The first period featured four goals. Ryan's slap shot from the left point set up a rebound in front. Selanne was right there to make it 1-0 just 52 seconds into the game, though Hornqvist's shot from the slot beat Hiller at the 2:34 mark.

Koivu and Sullivan scored at 10:49 and 17:16, respectively, to make it 2-2 heading into the second.

Visnovsky's shot from the slot beat Lindback just 49 seconds into the third stanza to give the Ducks a 3-2 edge.

Franson made it 3-3 with a shot from the right point at the 6:15 mark. Anaheim, though, went back ahead on Koivu's power-play goal at the 10:05 mark.

O'Reilly tied the game again with 3:47 to play. Franson controlled the puck at the bottom of the right circle and slid a pass in front for O'Reilly, who chipped the shot into the back of the net.

Game Notes

The Ducks have won nine of their last 11 at home over the Predators...Nashville forward Sergei Kostitsyn (undisclosed) missed the game...Nashville went 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Ducks went 1- for-3...Koivu now has 700 career points.