This Time, Marshall Plan Has Twist to It

Seventy games, zero goals.

That was Mighty Duck defenseman Jason Marshall’s goal drought going into Thursday’s game against the Kings at the Great Western Forum.

No one seemed particularly concerned about his lack of offensive production, however.

Not Coach Craig Hartsburg.

Not right wing Teemu Selanne.

And certainly not Marshall.

Scoring goals isn’t in Marshall’s job description. Playing sound defense, throwing hard checks and playing it smart are what the Ducks expect from Marshall.

After all, it’s a difficult enough task to accomplish as well as Marshall has this season without being asked to contribute goals.

And to think, Wednesday he was too ill to play against the Ottawa Senators. But the Ducks simply had to have him in the lineup Thursday because defensemen Fredrik Olausson and Ruslan Salei couldn’t play because of minor injuries.

So, there was Marshall late in the first period Thursday, racing toward the net to swat home a rebound for the first goal of the game and his first in almost a year.

The usual post-goal congratulations followed. But the minute Marshall reached the Duck bench, the heckling began.

“The guys were giving it to me pretty good,” Marshall said after his sixth NHL goal. “It’s been a long time.”

It was March 28, 1998 to be precise and Marshall remembers the goal well. “I think it was that phantom goal in Colorado,” he said, cracking a smile.

Fact is, Marshall never touched the puck on that goal. It was Colorado defenseman Sandish Ozolinsh who steered the puck into an empty net after goalie Patrick Roy went to the bench in favor of a sixth attacker during a delayed penalty call.

“When you only get a couple you tend to remember them,” Marshall said.

Thursday’s goal will probably be just as memorable, particularly since it gave the Ducks the jump-start they needed to defeat the Kings, 4-2, and end a four-game winless streak (0-2-2).

“That was a huge goal for us,” right wing Teemu Selanne said. “The last three games, we haven’t had very good starts.”

Marshall had just been cracked from behind by King Olli Jokinen, referee Don Koharski’s arm shot up to indicate a penalty and Marshall leaped to his feet and raced to the front of the net.

A rebound awaited him.

“I was going to the bench [in favor of a sixth skater] and I didn’t know who had scored,” goalie Guy Hebert said. “I saw a spray of ice and the red light go on. I took a peek at the replay [on the scoreboard] and I said, ‘Hey, that’s Marshy.’ ”

Marshall’s recollection of the play was a bit fuzzy.

“I don’t know who hit me,” he said. “It might have been from behind. I saw the ref’s arm go up. I knew it was a delayed penalty. That’s pretty much the only chance I get to go to the net.”

By game’s end, Selanne had scored twice and Kariya once. Their goals were just what you have probably come to expect, brilliant displays of offensive skill.

Marshall’s goal was pure hustle and determination.

“He paid the price along the boards,” Hartsburg said. “Marshy battled and play hard.”