Joffrey Lupul recorded a goal and two assists in regulation, then scored the deciding goal in the sixth round of a shootout as Cincinnati defeated Utah, 4-3, in the teams’ 2004-05 regular season opener on Wednesday night.
Lupul, a first-round pick by Anaheim in 2002, led Cincinnati’s rally from three one-goal deficits. The Mighty Ducks improved to 5-3-0-0 all-time in season-openers.
Joel Perrault and Kurtis Foster also scored for the Ducks. Tim Brent chipped in with a pair of assists in his professional debut.
Doug Doull, Jon Sim and Joe Callahan scored for the Grizzlies, who had 12 players selected in the first or second round of an NHL Entry Draft in their lineup, including five first-round picks.
Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 36 shots in the win for Cincinnati, while Jean-Marc Pelletier stopped 35 shots in the loss.
The Ducks and Grizzlies complete a two-game series Friday at The “E” Center.
