DUCKS END COYOTES' STREAK : DUCKS 2, PHOENIX 1.

Byline: Greg Christensen Staff Writer

It hardly mattered that the Mighty Ducks' 2-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes ended their rival's winning streak at eight games. It didn't matter that the victory was hardly artistic and the Coyotes played much of the game without Keith Tkachuk.

What did matter to a Ducks team searching for an identity was the way they won. They won the old-fashioned way - with 60 minutes of hard work.

``It wasn't perfect,'' Ducks coach Craig Hartsburg said of the win before 14,904 at America West Arena on Saturday. ``We were a tired team. But we played with character and grit and got a huge two points.''

Phoenix, which outshot the Ducks 31-28, played the last 2-1/2 periods without Tkachuk, who twisted his neck in a collision with teammate Dallas Drake. The Coyotes came up one game short of tying a franchise-high nine-game winning streak.

But that hardly mattered to Anaheim goalie Guy Hebert.

``It is more about what we are doing right now. We can't worry about the other guys,'' he said.

One night after playing a hard-fought tie with the Kings, the Ducks got down and dirty in the desert.

Hartsburg has complained often that the Ducks have scored the most goals in the league from 35 feet out and not nearly enough from the trenches. Jim McKenzie, just back from a broken left hand, got the message and ignited the Ducks when he banged home a rebound at 10:16 of the first period.

It was McKenzie's first goal of the year and second in two years against his former team.

``Jimmy Mac went to the net and got rewarded,'' said Hartsburg. ``It wasn't pretty, but you don't score a lot of pretty goals in this league anymore.''

Actually, what turned out to be the game-winning goal was a thing of beauty. Seldom-used center Tony Hrkac, who got more ice time after Antti Aalto injured his elbow, intercepted a pass and set up Ted Donato for a wrist shot that beat rookie goalie Robert Esche at 2:06 of the third period.

But Hebert feels the Ducks are starting to understand what it takes to win in today's tight-checking NHL.

``If that is how we have to win, the guys are willing to do whatever it takes to win,'' said the Ducks goalie. ``Right now it's team first over anything personal.''

And Hartsburg is quick to remind them that along with effort come results.

``We played the two top teams on our side and got three of four points,and we aren't playing our best,'' said Hartsburg.

The power play can't get much worse. The Ducks came ranked 27th in the league and Saturday they were 0 for 6 and gave up a short-handed goal.

Anaheim was completely shutting down Phoenix before Trevor Letowskiscored at 14:50 to turn the final five minutes into nervous time, at least for those watching.

``I felt comfortable,'' said Hebert of the last few minutes. ``We just said `all right just get the puck deep.'

``We had a much better frame of mind than we would have a week or so ago.''

McKenzie, who played for the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise, outbattled defenseman Keith Carney in front of Esche and when the young goaltender gave up a big rebound on Marty McInnis' shot.

``If this keeps up I'll have to break my other hand,'' joked McKenzie.

The Ducks had chances to extend their lead late in the first period and in the second, but their power play continues to spin its wheels. They were unable to generate a shot on a first-period chance then they squandered nearly 7-1/2 minutes of power-play time.

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PHOTO Phoenix goaltender Robert Esche (42) makes a save on a shot by the Ducks' Teemu Selanne.

Roy Dabner/Associated Press