And you played into it...

FIRST! I had SO MUCH FUN with Suz Broughton! She and I had a lot of laughs, great sliders from Ruby's, fun with the fans around us, tons of warm up picture time (although we didn't take ONE picture together - how lame is that?!), and she even twisted my arm into buying 3 more Ducks shirts (at least that's what I'm telling my empty wallet). I can't thank her husband, Larry, enough for being unable to attend. What a good man! Suz is quite the fan, and she's made some suggestions for off season blogs (I'll debate on whether or not I want to share some of the stories however). Even more impressive...she's got her OWN game day shoes (that's a blog for another day that I WILL be sharing)! Thanks again Broughtons...you rock! I can't wait until the next game!

Here's a great shot that Suz took of Mr. Ryan Carter for me...


Alright...onto game 4.2....

I've ignored the eerie similarities that everyone has been referencing regarding this playoff match up between the Ducks and the Red Wings...until now.

Of all the eerie similarities...heading back to Detroit tied 2-2, just as in the 2007 WCF, is the one I was hoping wouldn't be repeated.

I usually go home after the game and re-watch the recording - highlights, goals, penalties, questionable moments during the game - to get a recap and a reassess my emotions from the win/loss. I was unable to do that last night and therefore won't be nearly as opinionated about last night's match up as I'd like to be.

I knew that this game was going to be in Detroit's favor from the get go. Whether anyone will admit it or not, there was going to be a bit of a make up in Detroit's favor after game 3 ended the way it did. Unfortunately, the Ducks obviously felt that this was going to be the case as well...and they played into it. They allowed Detroit to walk all over them and did very little to fight back.

I'm not going to complain about the crowd last night. I always laugh at how the Yankee Detroit fans are so proud of themselves for their presence in an opponents arena. We're talking about a successful original 6 team franchise...they have bandwagon fans everywhere. Don't be so surprised when they are in your building.

Overall, the Ducks were playing the lazy brand of hockey we've seen from them all too often this season. A huge contrast in last night's game, compared to Tuesday's game in particular, was the Ducks' inability to shut down the neutral zone effectively. When it comes down to it, the Ducks have seen two very different opponents here in the post season. San Jose, in my opinion, plays a very similar style to the Ducks. A shorter, chip and retrieve type of game with a physical aspect similar to the way Anaheim plays the puck. Detroit plays a much smoother passing game, with an attempt to control the puck from one end of the ice to the other. If the Ducks are unable to put a stop to these successful offensive transitions...trouble...

Unfortunately for Jonas Hiller, he was bound to have an off night. I don't know that I can blame him completely as it seemed the defense was very off of their game last night as well. In fact, everyone seemed to be chasing Detroit, chasing the puck, chasing their own bodies since they were clearly not moving their feet...and they paid for it. Hiller's soft 5-hole goals were going to catch up to him eventually, and I'm really surprised Detroit has yet to exploit the fact that when they take shots directly in front of the crease, Hiller is quite soft. It was nice to see JS Giguere get some time in net, but I'll be honest, I hope that we see Hiller in net on Sunday.

There has been a lot of talk about the Ducks being insanely out shot over the past 10 post season games. Quality over quantity in my opinion. The Ducks may not be talking as many shots as their opponent, but I'd be interested in a stat showing timed puck possession. I would bet that those numbers are probably more reflective of why the Ducks have had success. They may not be taking as many shots as their opponents, but they're making them count. In the end, the scoreboard is all that matters anyway.

This is killing me, but I really hope that I don't have to change his name from Bobby Effin Ryan to Effin Bobby Ryan (I usually save that for when Ryan Getzlaf does things to piss me off). I'm still sticking to my "he's hurt" assumption, but it's definitely clear that something is bothering him. I don't think it's simply the pressure of the playoffs, I think it's the pressure from EVERYWHERE ELSE that is potentially getting to him. I think in particular it's the pressure from the 2 or 3 guys in Red Wings jerseys who immediately attach themselves to him once he touches the puck. I still believe he'll find a way to break through. Maybe he shouldn't have been so damn amazing during the regular season causing a mini post season slump to make him stand out like a sore Thronton thumb. Hang in there fans...he's still the Effin we all know and love.

Also, what happened to Getzlaf last night? He disappeared during the third (much like Effin did in game 5 against San Jose and hasn't been the same since) and I noticed immediately, but haven't seen anything other than "he's sick". I'm not buying it. Anyone have another thought?

Finally, I'd just like to mention how much I loved Francois Beauchemin's fight last night. Again, I'm not a fan of the fighting, but that felt right last night. It was a great fight...and yet again someone was surprised to find out Beauchaboy is a lefty! LOVE IT!

In the end, I hope that last night's game didn't put doubt into the team's head. They're going to need to be the better team on Sunday. They need to do it for their moms...for Ryan Getzlaf's 24th birthday...and for the pure reason that this is the post season, there is no room for error.

GO DUCKS!!!

Ducks in a Row...the must haves

There is no question about it...tonight is a must win situation.

There is no way we can let my dad win another round of Ping Pong. We have to bring it tonight! I'm depending on you both Ramon and Mini...let's do this. He's 12-0 with the 3 of us being 4-8 (we play doubles - each of us winning while playing with him). Ridiculous.

And...those DUCKS!!!

I hope to see Hiller in net again tonight. I know I mentioned that B9 came up a lot at bingo this past weekend, well, so did B1. I mean come on...that's just good vibes right there.

This team is going to need a great showing from every line to get this thing done tonight. They played fantastic last Friday, and if they are able to bring that same intensity plus some accurate shooting...they're still very in this thing!

Goals from Getzlaf, Selanne and Ebbett.

Ping Pong and Ducks hockey...it just doesn't get any more intense than that!

GO DUX IN A ROW!!!

GO DUCKS!!!

Welcome to REALITY! WELCOME TO DUCKS AND PUCKS!

I can't believe I'm finally posting my first blog on the new web site. It's taken...well, too long really. I've been working on this website for about 2 months now, and even at that...I don't feel it will ever be complete!

This was a difficult decision to start my own blog, but after working on Girl with a Puck for the past season, I've found that not only do I love what I get to do, but I can't get enough of it.

First and foremost so much thanks and appreciation goes to UJ for his help with this website! His ability to look at everything with a fine tooth comb (you have NO IDEA how fine toothed his comb is!!!!) has made this a fabulously looking site. THANK YOU! Turning you into a DUCKS (DUCKS DUCKS DUCKS DUCKS) hockey fan has been a great joy for me! Here is to many more years complaining about crappy goal tending, sloppy defense, and what a rock star Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Effin Ryan are and hopefully continue to be!

There have been so many wonderful opportunities that have come to me because of blogging about the Ducks and I have met some UNBELIEVABLE people because of it.

I want to say thank you to one fantastic blogger out there, Suz Broughton. There will be a link to her website in the Links section, and please check her out. She's a fantastic writer and she takes amazing pictures. Her ability to paint a picture with words is unparalleled by many. It was Suz who really pushed me to get this thing started. She gave me that final bit of motivation to get going and stand tall on my own. I can't thank her enough for her encouragement and kind words. She's a fellow Ducks fan too, so don't hesitate to send her a note!

Thanks to Suz I started up on Twitter which has allowed me to meet other great Ducks fans. We're so few and far between out here in So Cal that sometimes you have to work hard to meet fellow fans. With that I met another blogger Toro. Toro's blog is quick and to the point...and he never holds back. EVER. He's been great to talk with these past few weeks and always has great insight and thoughts about the team. There will be a link to his blog on the LINKS page as well. Check him out!

My family and friends have been the ultimate! They have been so encouraging and supportive over the past 6 months while I've dabbled in this blogging world. I think they realize how much joy I get out of doing this and they have really suggested that I do more.

Ramon and Mini are the ones who I owe more to than most. Without them, I wouldn't be a fan in the first place. Without them, I don't know that I would have been strong enough to start blogging to begin with. They are amazing friends and I'll always be thankful to them both. The best part...you'll all get to enjoy their thoughts from time to time. Section 444 will be a features blog, with Ramon, Mini, UJ and many more offering their crazy thoughts on this Ducks team we all love so much!

And finally, I want to thank Finny for giving me the opportunity to discover this passion I have for blogging in the first place. She hesitantly opened up her pride and joy and allowed me to come in and shake up the Girl with a Puck blog. I can't thank her enough for allowing me to say and do whatever I wanted. She really let me have free reign there and I will be forever grateful for her kindness and support throughout this process. She too has become an amazing friend who I would not have met without this blog-o-sphere we all dwell in.

I hope that during the off season (which hopefully comes LATER rather than SOONER) to develop my own stats, schedule, and standings layouts. For the time being, what is there will do. Ultimately, it allows everyone quick access to see where our boys stand in the race to the playoffs!

I welcome thoughts, critiques of all shapes and sizes. Feel free to comment whenever, however. I hope to allow this to be a fans space above all.

There is still work to be done, and like a great team, it will always be a work in progress that can and will be better with each passing day. Fans will make this website what it is, and I hope that you all take full advantage of the links.

If anyone has a website that you'd like me to add to the links page, please feel free to email me

This is an exciting time in Ducks hockey...and at Ducks and Pucks...we're just getting started!!!

NOW...FOREVER...ALWAYS...

GO DUCKS!!!

CRASH!...Again!

My pretend hopes were up. As in...I pretended to have high hopes for last night, yet my realistic hopes were lingering in the background.

First of all...let's start with something fun. OBD was my "date" last night(yes, OBD is a nickname, I LOVE nicknames). She's a co-worker of mine, and I'd like to point out that I use the word "date" to describe ANYONE who attends a game with me. Besides, I prefer my dates to be male and in their late 20's early 30's...not that it matters, sometimes a girls night out is needed. Also joining us last night wereRamon's sisters Adriana and Maribel. They are crack ups in their own right! By the way, the sisters and I have been to quiet a few games together...the Ducks have lost every one of them (the only exception to this rule was a Ducks @ Phoenix game we attended last spring...however, we sat nowhere near one another).

Anyway, it was OBD's first ever Hockey game (in 5 years she'll be just as big a fan as I am...that's how long it took me to get into hockey). She's not very sports inclined, whereas I have always been a sports fan all my life. Her lack of sports knowledge went something like this...

"I think the last sporting event I went to was a Laker show."
"Do the blockers (that was her term for the goalie) wear skates too?"
"I'm impressed that the puck slides on the ice just like on that table hockey game."
"Fighting is VALID? Why aren't the refs stopping it?!"
"I would be so frustrated with that little puck!"

She had some excellent points as well. For instance...there is NEVER "Too many men!" and being one man short (or on the PK) is unacceptable, however the man advantage is just fine. Funny how she TOTALLY got that concept immediately! She also asked that if teams are allowed to pull the goalie...can't they just have 2 on the ice at the same time? I like her thinking!

Anyway, she was alot of fun, and I hope she enjoyed herself. Hey...in just 5 short years she'll be mega fan, and it will all be thanks to me! :) Oh and OBD, those are MY type of Canadians!!!

So some numbers for tonight.

Bobby Freaking Ryan (I can't help but to give the guy a name like that...usually it's not "freaking", but it does start with an f) has 11 goals in the month of January, and one more opportunity to add another. 11! That's insane. Not to mention, it ties the rookie 1 month record held by Ovechkin.

The Ducks are now 0-11 when trailing after the first. I knew that wasn't going to be a good sign when it happened. I was really hoping the Ducks were going to turn that one around last night.

A shorty by Travis Moen is fine by me...I believe that's 2 for him on the season (the first coming in Montreal)...someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Ryan Getzlaf had no points last night, which as I've mentioned before, means the Ducks don't win. Remember, he has at least 1 point in every Ducks victory.

Bounces...tonight...they weren't there. Man...if they could have had just ONE of those goals from that Phoenix game...just one (maybe two)!

I was VERY surprised to see JS Giguere on the bench. But not upset to see Jonas Hiller out there.

Yes Ramon, Andrew Ebbett being a healthy scratch makes it very difficult for him to score goals as indicated in my predictions.

It was a pleasure seeing Teemu Selanne last night (and a relief as I sported my Selanne jersey last night for the first time in a long time...). He seemed sharp (ouch) and looked pretty good. He was smothered naturally, but for the most part, he seems to be fine. I'm sure the highlight of the night for him was the 3rd period when he didn't have to deal with that Brendan Morrison. UGH...that guy.

High hopes for Saturday? Sure...but I'm keeping my realistic ones in check as well.

GO DUCKS!

1,000 happies

First off, Congrats to Bret Hedican and his 1,000 NHL career games (that was actually played one week prior in St. Louis where he started his career). I was late to the game and didn't see the milestone ceremony until I watched the game again at home (yes, it seems as though I can't get enough Ducks hockey)...but he was VERY eager to get that recognition over with wasn't he? They had to call him back for some more pictures and just when he thought it was over, they called him back for more. Funny.

It was a...good...game for the Ducks. A win is a win, and I wont complain about that. For the most part, I don't think they played fantastic and they definitely got lucky more than a few times...but overall, a win is a win. It seemed like neither team could get control of he puck the entire game. It was a very back and forth kind of hustle. Very few penalties as well, which for the Ducks, is a GREAT thing!

Jonas Hiller gets his second career shutout. He was definitely lucky there during the second period when Chicago was on a power play with a WIDE open net for Dave Bolland who missed just wide. He also had some great saves as well. Overall, Hiller stepped into the action and played very well. I really like him, I think he does a great job out there. I honestly don't know who I'd pick between Hiller and Jiggy (you know, if my choice even mattered one bit).

The Ducks missed a few wide open opportunities as well. However, not giving up, Ryan Getzlaf had a beauty of a backhander that even HE didn't realize went in until the crowd and Corey Perry were cheering. Moments later Bobby Ryan came smashing into the celebration (he's very over zealous during those moments...that's enjoyable to see). That one goal was all that was needed to bring down the Blackhawks. The Ducks meet them again in less than a week in Chicago. I won't mention that upcoming game again.

Some big hits for the evening. A typical fight by George Parros lit a bit of a fuse I think, which is what the fighting is for right (ugh)? But a few HUGE hits by Ryan proved to be the highlight for the afternoon. A smash on Brent Seabrook followed up quickly by another on Kris Versteeg. The Ducks as a group were physical and it was enough to shut down the young guns on Chicago. But man, that Patrick Kane doesn't look any older than 14 does he?

I'm so excited to watch Sunday's game (insert your own hint of sarcasm). Who they are playing isn't important since...well I don't know about anyone else...I WON'T BE ABLE TO WATCH IT! The game will only be on radio, better than nothing right? Whatever.

On a much MUCH less important note, Brian Burke is officially with Toronto now. That's all I care to say about it.

On an exciting note...Happy Birthday Ramon! Loves.

GO DUCKS!