Not-so-mighty Duck comes through in clutch

By Randall Palmer

OTTAWA (Reuters) - As the Anaheim Ducks go, Andy McDonald is considered a featherweight, but his firepower throughout the Stanley Cup finals has nearly doomed the Ottawa Senators.

The unassuming 29-year-old has more goals (four) and points (five) than any other player in the series, including two tallies 60 seconds apart in Anaheim's 3-2 victory over the Senators on Monday.

His patience in working his way around the defense and lifting the puck over Ottawa goalie Ray Emery drew praise from coach Randy Carlyle as a "big-league play."

"When people are put in situations and when you see them execute to that level, it's just a tribute to the individual about his skill level," Carlyle told reporters after his team took a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

"That's a hockey player stepping up and playing desperate and executing at a very high level for his team mates."

McDonald, 30 to 40 pounds (15 to 20 kg) lighter than most of his team mates, has taken his share of hits from the Senators but has survived to lead the Ducks in scoring throughout the post-season.

The center said that after ending the first period trailing 1-0, Carlyle scolded his team and told them to play smarter.

"I think the message worked. I think we had a stronger second," he understated. The Ducks outscored Ottawa 2-1 in the frame with McDonald scoring twice.

But McDonald -- who is from Ontario and had a good number of family and friends in the crowd -- immediately started thinking about Game Five on Wednesday when the two teams head back to Anaheim.

"We're going to enjoy it here probably for the next couple of minutes. But this game's over, and we have to get ready for the next game...Hopefully, we can use our fans in our own building to be a little more motivated for that next game."