Everything’s just Ducky for Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Ducks’ Teemu Selanne was quite frightened in the closing moments against Detroit, and quite emotional afterward.

Anaheim withstood a late surge by the Red Wings, so Selanne – who turns 37 in July – will play in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time.

Shortly after Anaheim’s 4-3 win in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, Selanne stood amid the hubbub in the locker room, his freshly minted T-shirt and hat proclaiming that the Ducks were playing for the Stanley Cup.

“This is a special moment for me,” he said, smiling but a bit choked up. “I’ve been watching the finals on TV for so many times, it’s great to finally be able to play in them.

“Wow, what a thrill.”

The Ducks, who wrapped up their series against Detroit on Tuesday night, will begin the league championship round against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night in Anaheim. Game 2 is on the Ducks’ ice Wednesday night before the series shifts to Ottawa for two games.

His career rejuvenated after he underwent knee surgery in 2004 and the Ducks brought him back to Anaheim in August 2005, Selanne was the team’s leading scorer with 48 goals and 46 assists during the regular season. It was his most productive season since he had 107 points in 1998-99, during his first stint in Anaheim.

The Ducks won three straight over the Red Wings after losing two of the first three, and Selanne was a major contributor in those games. The “Finnish Flash” had four assists and two goals, including the winner in a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 5 that turned the series in the Ducks’ favor.

After Anaheim built a 3-0 lead in two periods of Game 6, the Ducks were on their way to their second appearance in the Stanley Cup finals, where they lost Game 7 to New Jersey in 2003.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Selanne said. “They’re sound all-around. I think it’s going to be very exciting.”