TIME TO GIVE THE DUCKS SOME LOVE.

Byline: PAUL OBERJUERGE

The Lakers' postseason lasted all of five games. The Clippers didn't have a postseason. The Kings went on vacation so long ago it's hard to remember they had a season.

But it's not a complete loss, among our winter sports teams.

Not while the Ducks are around.

The Ducks barely register as a blip on the SoCal sports radar, hidden as they are in the National Hockey League and marooned as the only major tenant in Anaheim's arena.

Then there are the name changes. From Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to Anaheim Ducks, and the place-name changes. From the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim to The Pond to the Anaheim Arena and the Honda Center. It's enough to confuse less-than-casual hockey fan, which is most of us.

But all, and still ... this franchise is the most accomplished pro sports team in the Los Angeles market the past five years.

And the Ducks didn't even play in one of those seasons. The 2004-05 strike, remember?

All this franchise has done is play for the Stanley Cup championship in 2003 (losing in seven games to New Jersey) and reach the Western Conference finals in 2006 and 2007.

That's three final-four appearances in fiveyears -- and four seasons.

And our other, vastly more celebrated teams?

One final-four appearance: The Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals.

Where they were smoked by the Pistons.

So why not more love for the gutty little Ducklings?

They are a likable bunch. Teemu Selanne, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf.

Fun to watch. When we bother to try. When we're able to find them on television. And you couldn't, last Thursday night, unless you get the Versus network, and if you know someone who does, you're one ahead of me.

That's a big part of the issue. Exposure and lack of same.

The sport itself is another. Aside, perhaps, from the Wayne Gretzky Era with the Kings, 15years ago, ice hockey has been a niche sport in this market. A passion to the few, a mystery to the many.

That doesn't keep the Ducks from being a very nice team, a well-run franchise with attractive stars, heady management and a recent history of deep pushes into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Ducks will face Detroit in the conference finals. And probably will be favored to win.

Anyone who has followed these guys know they pretty much live in OT during the playoffs.

In 2003, they played 14 overtime periods in seven games -- and won them all.

In 2006, three more OT periods.

And so far in 2007, six more, including a double-overtime victory Thursday to eliminate Vancouver in five games.

Their fans would like to think this is when the Southland stops dissecting the Lakers and takes a break from pondering the Dodgers and Angels and turns its attention to the very nice hockey team that calls Anaheim home.

It probably won't happen. Win four more and play for Lord Stanley's Cup, then maybe more than the hardcore fan will take time to appreciate SoCal's best sports franchise. Maybe.

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The Anaheim Ducks are in the Western Conference finals for the third time in four seasons.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press