PRAISE FOR NEW PAIRING; ANAHEIM DUO ALLOWS FEW GOALS.

Byline: Greg Christensen

For the casual hockey fan, naming one Mighty Ducks defenseman isn't easy. Naming their top defensive pairing is almost impossible.

After all, these are the Ducks - Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, Guy Hebert and a bunch of no-names many didn't think had a clue about playing defense.

But led by the anonymous pairing of Jason Marshall and Kevin Haller, the Anaheim defensemen are more than holding their own. Heading into tonight's game against St. Louis, the Ducks have allowed only 19 goals in nine games. They are a surprising 3-3-3 after a 2-7 exhibition season in which they allowed 40 goals.

``Teams on paper sometimes look so good, and they can be missing something,'' Marshall said. ``With other teams it will be, `Why do they keep on winning?' ''

So far, defense is the reason the Ducks are improved. They've allowed four or more goals only once this season after giving up that many 30 times last year. Marshall and Haller have combined for just one assist offensively but have given coach Craig Hartsburg a pairing that he's confident in playing 20-25 minutes a game. It's a luxury former coach Pierre Page lacked last year as the Ducks were 26-43-13.

``We've tried to get them on the ice as much as we can against the other team's best players, and they have done a good job,'' said Hartsburg.

Marshall and Haller, both 27, were No. 1 draft choices in 1989, but their paths to Anaheim couldn't have been more different.

After being drafted by Buffalo, Haller played in 462 games with the Sabres, Montreal, Philadelphia, Hartford and Carolina before coming to the Ducks this summer. Marshall played 312 games in the minors and only two games with St. Louis before the Ducks acquired him for Bill Houlder in 1994.

``(Marshall) competes very hard and plays the game hard and honest,'' Hartsburg said. ``He's learned how to play in this league and knows his role as a defensive defenseman.

``It takes a lot of character to keep making the effort after you've been sent down and people are probably saying you are never going to play.''

But Marshall, the team's hardest hitter despite being quiet and unassuming off the ice, said he benefited from the experience.

``I needed to mature a lot,'' he said. ``The first couple of years when I faced some adversity I struggled. It took time.''

Haller has been a leader since he stepped into the Ducks' dressing room, which prompted Hartsburg to make him an assistant captain along with Selanne.

``I never expected it,'' said Haller, who was a member of the Montreal team that defeated the Kings in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. ``I said `what should I do different?' and he said `Nothing. I want you to play hard and show on and off the ice you are committed and help the young guys feel comfortable.' ''

Haller has done just that and it hasn't gone unnoticed. ``He's solidified the defense, calmed things down,'' said Kariya.

Drafted as a offensive defenseman, Haller has accepted his changing role. ``At first it's a little frustrating (not scoring as much), but the longer you are in the league you realize how important defense is,'' he said. ``You aren't recognized as much, but that's the way it goes. The most important people (players, general managers, coaches) know what your role is and if you are playing well.''

Especially the players.

``Ask them who is one of the toughest guys to battle with in front of the net and a lot will say him,'' Hebert said.

That's certainly enough recognition for Haller, just the type of player the Ducks were looking for.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1) MARSHALL

(2) HALLER