Chistov, Moran recalled

The Ducks recalled right wing Stanislav Chistov and defenseman Ian Moran from their minor league affiliate in Portland, Maine, and inserted them into the lineup Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Chistov and Moran played their first games with the Ducks this season after being sent down six days ago for a conditioning assignment in the American Hockey League with the Portland Pirates.

In three games with the Pirates, Chistov scored a goal and Moran went scoreless with two penalty minutes. Moran had an inauspicious Ducks debut as he was on the ice for Dominic Moore’s first-period goal for the Penguins.

“I thought that Chistov performed well in the three games,� Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. “Moran was a little slower at the beginning but played strong the last two games, so that’s encouraging.

“It’s always difficult because those players haven’t had an opportunity to get into the lineup for us.�

Moran played his first NHL game since last October with the Boston Bruins.

“A year and 2 1/2 weeks in a real game,� he said.

Before playing with the Pirates, the 34-year-old appeared in three exhibitions in which he said he was conscious about his right knee. Moran underwent season-ending surgery on the knee last November.

“In training camp, I was pretty hesitant and cautious in how I played,� Moran said. “As far as getting on the ice and playing the other night, it was just great to be in the locker room with the boys before the game. That’s the stuff you miss.�

Chistov said the short stay at Portland was beneficial.

“I played a lot of minutes. It was good,� said Chistov, who signed a two-year contract in the off-season. “The first game was tough. I felt like the game was too fast. I got used to it in the second period.�

*

The Penguins have long been rumored to leave Pittsburgh if they do not get a new arena to replace 45-year-old Mellon Arena, the NHL’s oldest facility. New owner Jim Balsillie has said he intends to keep the team in the city but only if a funding plan is in place before the end of the season.

Carlyle said he would be surprised to see the Penguins leave town. The Ducks coach played six seasons there and, in 1980-81, won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman.

“Obviously, there’s the economics of the game,� he said. “Everything changes and sports teams are along with it. It’s hard to believe that that’s the oldest building in the league. That’s one of the things that comes to the forefront.�

Carlyle said he realizes that the Penguins need a new arena to keep pace with other franchises.

“There are buildings that to some degree are outdated and that probably is one of them,� he said. “Hopefully with the market that they’ve created in Pittsburgh and the excitement with their young team, things will come together off the ice for them.�

[email protected]