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Getzlaf scores twice as Ducks win fourth straight

Oct 26, 2006 - 4:43 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Anaheim Ducks took the first step in reversing their recent misfortune against the Edmonton Oilers.

Ryan Getzlaf and Travis Moen scored two goals each and Chris Pronger collected three assists in his first game against his former team as the Ducks won their fourth straight game, a 6-2 triumph over Edmonton.

After losing to the Oilers in last spring's Western Conference finals and dropping all four regular-season encounters, Anaheim continued the best start in franchise history by defeating Edmonton for just the second time in 13 meetings.

"We (had) to focus on this game," said Ducks center Todd Marchant, a former Oiler. "Remember the past, but focus on what we want to do going forward. We still have a lot of room for improvement. There were some stretches in the game where we certainly could have played better. It's a work in progress."

"It was brought to our attention last year in the playoffs, our record against the Edmonton team and obviously, we have good memories," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "They're the team that eliminated us last year, so all those (factors) bring people to a different level and that's part of the emotions in sports."

The Ducks (7-0-2) set a season high in goals and are off to the best nine-game start in franchise history. They are the lone Western team without a regulation loss.

"I believe we can beat any team in this league," Anaheim goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere said. "In the last week, we've played some very good teams, Edmonton included. That was a big test for us because they've had our number in the past. It's tough to play those teams sometimes, but we responded really well tonight."

A former Hart and Norris Trophy winner, Pronger collected 56 points in his lone season with the Oilers before being traded to Anaheim for Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, two draft picks and future considerations on July 3.

"When you're playing against former teammates and a city where you used to play, it's always a big game," Pronger said. "This team was 1-8 against them last year and 0-4 in the regular season, so we wanted to get off to a good start against them this year."

"We got some terrific players in the deal," Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish said. "It was time to move on. He was a great teammate and that's the best compliment that you can pay a guy."

With the Ducks leading, 2-1, Getzlaf widened the margin at 4:00 of the second period by skating in from the blue line and firing a shot just under the crossbar past goaltender Dwayne Roloson for his third of the campaign.

Getzlaf recorded his second career multi-goal contest midway through the third session by knocking in his own rebound, a bad-angle shot that bounced off Roloson's back.

"It was a little bit of a shootout and we definitely don't want to play that way every night," Getzlaf said. "But we beared down when we needed to and got it done. They outshot us tonight and (Giguere) gave us a chance to win."

Pronger assisted on both goals by Moen and the second-period tally by fellow defenseman Scott Niedermayer. A former Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Giguere made 29 saves to raise his record to 6-0-2.

"It was my first two-goal game, so it was pretty exciting," Moen said. "I got a few good bounces and hopefully they keep coming.

Jarret Stoll opened the scoring at 7:28 of the opening period with a backhander that glanced off the left goalpost behind Giguere and into the net. He recorded his third multi-goal effort in the second session when he one-timed Ales Hemsky's cross-ice feed from the left faceoff circle to cut the deficit to 3-2.

"We gave them a lot of chances on the rush through the neutral zone on turnovers," Stoll said. "I think we were playing pretty well for the most part of the game, but once we (started) turning over the puck, we got back on our heels and they could score."

Roloson stopped 14 shots for the Oilers, who had their three-game winning streak halted and lost for the third time in four road contests.