[0] DUCKS TRIUMPH IN HOME OPENER VICTORY OVER CAPITALS COULD SERVE AS STEPPINGSTONE DUCKS 2, WASHINGTON 1.

Byline: Frank Welch  Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - The Mighty Ducks organization has asked fans to ``Answer the Call'' during the 2001-2002 season. The idea is nothing more than a no-frills public-relations slogan to try and win back once-interested Orange County-area hockey fans.

And with Friday night's home opener against the Washington Capitals serving as the beginning of a healthy stretch of home games (12 out of 14), the Mighty Ducks needed to take a first step in rebuilding their image - both on the ice and in the stands.

An enthusiastic crowd of 16,219 at The Pond saw the Ducks earn a 2-1 victory over the Capitals in highlight-reel fashion.

Defenseman Jason York, acquired as a free agent during the offseason, slipped the go-ahead goal into the net with 5 minutes, 7 seconds left in the game.

York's goal capped a dramatic sequence, which started with defenseman Keith Carney starting an Anaheim odd-man rush. Carney, falling to the ice, dived forward with his stick, guiding the puck over to Paul Kariya. Kariya broke out on left wing and slapped a shot at Washington goalie Olaf Kolzig. Kolzig made a pad save, but the rebound kicked out and onto York's stick. York skated in ahead on right wing and easily put the puck into the empty side of the net.

The victory was a huge one for a Mighty Ducks team that is looking for anything positive.

Anaheim put five shots on Kolzig in the first five minutes and they limited the Capitals to one shot at the other end. After their initial flurry and burst of energy, the Ducks went the next 12 minutes without a shot on goal and finished the first two periods with 15 shots.

The Ducks took a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second period when center Steve Rucchin popped home a rebound during a power play.

Mike Leclerc's shot on Kolzig kicked in front in the slot as Rucchin pinched in from the left wing. Rucchin promptly lifted the puck over a sprawling Kolzig for his first goal since last Oct. 29, at Calgary. Rucchin missed 60 games last season due to a broken hand and then a concussion suffered in mid-December. The Ducks were 2 for 22 on the power play during the road trip before converting on their first try Friday.

The Capitals tied it with 6:29 left in the second period when Calle Johansson wristed home a shot past Anaheim goalie Steve Shields. Johansson converted a pass from Peter Bondra, who slid him the puck while falling down in the slot.