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.

Truth be told, Anaheim will get its collective calls answered if it simply can put together some sort of winning streak and vault itself into playoff contention. ... Yes, even in October.

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

A crowd of 16,219 at the Pond saw the Ducks literally dive impressively into their quest with a 2-1 victory over the Capitals.

Defenseman Jason York, who joined the Ducks for a second stint by signing as a free agent during the offseason, slipped the go-ahead goal into the net with 5:07 left in the game.

York's goal capped a dramatic sequence which began with defenseman Keith Carney starting an Anaheim odd-man rush. Carney, falling to the ice just outside the Ducks' blue line, dived forward with his stick, guiding the puck over to Paul Kariya.

Kariya broke out on the 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, who skated in ahead of the defense on right wing, easily put the puck into the empty side of the net.

``I was a little hesitant at first,'' York said. ``But when I saw Keith make a great play and with Paul's speed, I thought we'd get a two-on-one out of it. It was a good rebound that popped onto my stick.''

York's goal capped a well-played third period that also included a show-stopping save from Ducks goalie Steve Shields.

Shields stopped 28 shots and was beaten only when defenseman Calle Johansson converted a beautiful setup pass from Peter Bondra. Johansson's goal tied the game at 1-1 with 6:29 left in the second period.

Shields stopped Trevor Linden cold with 16:21 left in the game with diving glove save. Linden appeared to raise his arms in celebration, but he quickly brought them down when he noticed that Shields robbed him of the go-ahead goal.

``You're not supposed to put yourself in that position,'' Shields said of his biggest save of the night, if not the season thus far. ``But once you do, you might as well make it look good. It was really a result of me being slow in reading the puck.''