Edmonton

Ducks today vs. Edmonton When: 5 p.m. Where: Honda Center. On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 830. Records: Ducks 24-18-4 through Friday, Oilers 14-21-7 through Friday Record vs. Oilers: 1-1-0. Update: Despite the Oilers' struggles this season, the Ducks haven't had an easy time with them. When they met Dec. 7 at Edmonton, the Ducks blew a two-goal lead in the third period but pulled out a 3-2 win in the 10th round of a shootout.

The winning goal came on a fluke, but the Calgary Flames put an end to Edmonton's dreams of a third consecutive Stanley Cup with a well-deserved, 3-2 victory Wednesday night at Edmonton. Oiler rookie defenseman Steve Smith was the goat. His clearing pass five minutes into the final period struck the skate of his own goaltender, Grant Fuhr, and caromed into the net to break a 2-2 tie. The goal was credited to Calgary's Perry Berezan, but he wasn't within 10 feet of the puck.

Ryan Smyth was born in Alberta, spent 12 seasons playing in the provincial capital of Edmonton and still has a host of family members living there. Clearly, he's no stranger to the area. Yet the trips home can be a whirlwind nonetheless. "You just prepare yourself mentally for it. And physically," said Smyth, the Kings' leading goal scorer with 19 heading into Saturday night's game against the Calgary Flames. "It's nice to see family and friends. We only come up here a couple of times a year.

The Alberta high couldn't even last 24 hours for the Kings. Forward Jeff Carter , acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets shortly before the league's trade deadline, injured his ankle late in Wednesday's resounding 3-0 win against the Flames at Calgary. From what Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi was saying, it sounded as though Carter would not be able to play Friday at Edmonton. Still the team is calling the injury day to day. "It happened late, but he was able to finish the game," a glum-sounding Lombardi said on Thursday afternoon in a telephone interview.

The approaching winter and longer nights make this an ideal time to head north to visit one of nature's most amazing phenomena: the northern lights. And one of Canada 's national parks provides several ideal viewing locations within striking distance of creature comforts. Jasper National Park , (780) 852-6176, in west-central Alberta, is officially the largest “dark sky preserve” in the world. Such places - well away from urban lights - provide superb opportunities for stargazing and viewing the aurora borealis.

PRO FOOTBALL CFL Thursday's Results Edmonton 31, Ottawa 26 Today's Schedule British Columbia at Toronto Saskatchewan at Calgary

The Major Indoor Soccer League game between the Wichita Wings and Lazers scheduled for tonight at the Forum will be played at 11:05 a.m. Sunday because of the Kings' game against Edmonton.