Vancouver, BC – Teemu Selanne started the lockout-shortened season at 42 years, 6 months and 16 days old, but despite his age the 10-time All-Star keeps making his mark.
Selanne scored twice and had two assists as the Anaheim Ducks dominated the Vancouver Canucks, 7-3, in the season opener for both teams.
"I think it's great. He defies age on certain nights," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said.
Daniel Winnik, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, scored twice. Corey Perry, Sheldon Souray and Kyle Palmieri also lit the lamp, while Jonas Hiller turned aside 26 shots.
Cory Schneider started in net for the Canucks, but was removed in favor of Roberto Luongo after giving up five goals on only 14 shots. Luongo made 10 saves the rest of the way.
"It was unacceptable to play that way and put my team in that situation and not even have a chance to win," Schneider said. "It's something you live and learn. I'm not going to think too long about this one."
The Ducks, who missed out on the playoffs last season, scored four goals on only seven shots in the middle period to break a 2-2 tie. Winnik, Perry, Palmieri and Selanne tallied in the period to send Anaheim to victory.
The Canucks, who finished first in the Northwest Division for a fourth straight year, got a goal and an assist apiece from Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler.
Winnik scored 3:33 into the second period from in front after brilliant passing from Andrew Cogliano and Saku Koivu to give the Ducks a 3-2 lead.
Perry lit the lamp on the power play nearly three minutes later from in front, and Palmieri scored just 11 seconds later from the low slot to end Schneider's night in net.
Selanne scored in the final 14 seconds of the middle period on a shot from below the right circle.
Edler notched a power-play goal 9:27 into the third on a shot that clanked off the crossbar and caromed off the back of Hiller into the net.
Anaheim restored the four-goal margin just 22 seconds later on Selanne's score from the slot.
Winnik scored 6 1/2 minutes into the game before Dan Hamhuis tied it just over three minutes later on a one-timer from the left circle. Sedin and Souray traded power-play goals later in the period.
Game Notes
Selanne moved into sole possession of 18th place on the NHL's all-time points list with 1,410, moving past Dale Hawerchuk (1,409). Doug Gilmour (1,414) is 17th ... Selanne is now tied with Phil Esposito for third all-time in power play goals with 249 ... This was the most goals by the Ducks in a season- opener.
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