Cullen Steps Up to Give Ducks’ Offense a Goose

PHOENIX — A look at the Mighty Ducks’ lineup before Saturday afternoon’s exhibition game against the Phoenix Coyotes prompted the obvious question:

Where are the goals going to come from?

Center Matt Cullen had the answer at the end of his stick, scoring twice in the Ducks’ 4-3 victory before an announced crowd of 12,199 at America West Arena.

No Paul Kariya, no Steve Rucchin, no Teemu Selanne usually adds up to no goals for the Ducks. But Cullen scored two highlight reel-caliber goals on breakaways to ensure the Ducks wouldn’t be blanked.

Marty McInnis and Mike Leclerc also scored for the Ducks, who are 3-3-1 with one exhibition left Monday against the Colorado Avalanche at Denver. They open the regular season next Saturday at Dallas.

Cullen’s first two goals in exhibition play might have been enough to have him smiling broadly at game’s end. But there was more to his game than goals. Cullen believed Saturday’s game was his best all-around showing of training camp.

He got no argument from Coach Craig Hartsburg.

“He’s got the skills,” Hartsburg said. “He made two great moves to score the goals, but he played a strong game besides.”

Cullen, expected to play between Kariya and Selanne once the regular season begins, found himself on a line with rookie Maxim Balmochnykh and tough guy Jim McKenzie.

Kariya and Selanne joined several other veterans who did not play Saturday as Hartsburg went with a youthful lineup.

Playing with two unfamiliar linemates didn’t seem to faze Cullen, however. He was the Ducks’ best at winning faceoffs Saturday, taking 13 of 27. He also wasn’t timid in the corners and in front of the net.

“It felt like a more complete game for me,” Cullen said. “I just got back to the basics and worked hard.”

Scoring twice on breakaways sealed the deal for Cullen. His first goal came at 15:58 of the first period and gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead.

McKenzie sent what appeared to be a harmless pass into the Phoenix zone. But Cullen outraced defenseman Deron Quint to the puck, faked rookie goalie Robert Esche to the ice and lifted a shot into the top of the net.

Next, with the Ducks ahead, 2-1, Cullen pounced on the puck after winger Jeff Nielsen tipped it away from Phoenix defenseman J.J. Daigneault at the blue line.

Cullen raced in on Esche, put the puck on his forehand, switched to his backhand, then slipped it into the net on his forehand for a 3-1 Duck lead at 17:01 of the second period.

“My confidence was lacking there for a while,” Cullen said. “It was more of a relief than a confidence boost to play a pretty solid game.”