2-0 means 1-0

Game 1 was the exactly what I expect this series to be...

Physical, fast paced, an overabundance of Ducks penalties, too many Sharks opportunities, low scoring...and me screaming at the TV.

Physical? Oh you bet! Two guys flying under the radar on the Ducks roster right now, Todd Marchant and Mike Brown, were so crucial to the Ducks' success last night. I don't know what Marchants' plans for the rest of his career are, but if he wants to "go out on top" this might be the time. He's been amazing this season, and has really peaked since taking over the centering spot on the checking line. His speed and his willingness to sacrifice himself for the team is unstoppable.

In addition, the aggressive play from Brown is allowing the penalty killing unit to be a successful factor for the Ducks. Lets face it, the Ducks took entirely too many penalties last night, and 3 unnecessary 2nd period minors from Rob Niedermayer doesn't help. Even Ryan Getzlaf got in on the action with a lame elbowing penalty in the final minutes of the game. With the Ducks leading 1-0, seeing the top scoring forward on the team head to the box was a enough to knock at least 2 years off of my life span. When Getzlaf emerged from the box and was on the right end of a San Jose turn over to send a bullet into the Sharks chances of coming back in game 1 - Getz effectively gave me back 4 years. I heard the clink of the cross bar and saw the puck come shooting back to the middle of the ice, I thought he had shanked it right off the top of the net. It wasn't until I saw the ref at the top of my TV signaling for a goal that I went crazy! CRAZY!

The Ducks took great advantage of what they were given. With so few shots on goal (17) - I'm starting to develop and interesting love/hate relationship with SOG. Clearly taking more shots is going to increase the odds of getting a goal, but the quality is really what's important here. Moving the puck well is so vital to the success of teams, and when the Ducks are doing that well...it shows on the scoreboard. On the same note, having a goal tender who is able to stop the opposing 35 shots thrown at him...now that's fantastic! Jonas Hiller in his first NHL playoff game made it look like he's been playing nothing but playoff caliber games his entire professional career. He was saved by at least 2 posts (that I could hear), but in the end he was a wall for the Ducks - who's defense has picked up greatly over the past few weeks with the additions of Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski. All of those guys are really adding to the incredible powers that is the always amazing Scott Niedermayer. Scotty is just...he's the man. I don't know that there is a better offensive/defenseman in the league. Always so calm, collected, and so smart with the puck. There will never be another like him.

Another strong factor in last night's game was the second line. With no points to show for unfortunately, they did exactly what they need to do against the Sharks. They were a THREAT. Andrew Ebbett and Erik Christensen are meshing together well, and had a few opportunities last night in front of the crease. In addition, Teemu Selanne was looking strong with a great opportunity in the third to get the Ducks on the board that was tapped just wide. When this line creates scoring chances like this, it causes the Sharks defense to step it up for not just one scoring line, but two. Keep it up boys, those goals are going to come.

The only negative I took from last nights game was control. The Sharks clearly outplayed the Ducks for a majority of the game. They had control of the puck, yet they were unable to get anything going in terms of successful offense (thanks again for that one defense/Hiller). However, it's just a matter of time before the Sharks start playing like the team they have been this whole season. This San Jose team has the ability to move the puck well when they are in control. The Ducks need to focus on clearing the puck well and controlling the play in their own zone. With continued defensive pressure and a burst of offense, the Ducks have a better chance than many are giving them credit for.

Overall, it was a MUST win game for the Ducks. It gets the ball rolling in the right direction. There are many areas the Ducks must improve on if they plan on making it out of this first round, but for the most part, winning game 1 puts them on the right track.

This thing is far from over...but for today, it's feeling pretty damn good.

GO DUCKS!!!

OH! and a new Ducks Dude has been featured...head over and check out Chris Pronger and leave your thoughts about him on the bottom of the page!

Now we're talking!

Ironically, the final score was the same as last Friday; 5-3. But this time, the team getting 2 points was the same team who SHOULD have won last week.

I've really had such an up and down emotional season with this Ducks team, as I'm sure we all have. I would never ask for a season that started the way the majority of these first 67 games have gone...but in the last ten, the Ducks are 8-2-0. WOW. Is this the time to get hot? OH, you bet your ass it is.

As nervous as I was for this game, I was oddly confident while watching (okay, until the final minutes of the game). The Ducks gave up that first goal with some lazy play, but even after that, I still didn't feel a sense of defeat. They were playing well from the very beginning of the game and that was obvious when Sheldon Brookbank* got his first NHL career goal on a beautiful little set of passes between he and Ryan Getzlaf.

*he'll be requiring a new nickname now. He's no longer going to be referred to as Brokeback...that's what getting your first NHL career goal in a very tight Western Conference race to the playoffs will do for you.

It was the D-mans night against Edmonton. Besides Brookbank's goal, both Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger netted some beauties. Scotty...once again in the right place at the right time. Pronger, payback for that HUGE slapshot he had on Friday that was turned away by Dwayne Roloson.

You all know I love Bobby Effin Ryan, but come on Effin...we need you to keep the gloves on. Yea, yea...I'm not a big fan of the fighting, but of ALL the people I don't want to see getting roughed up and spending 5 minutes in the penalty box...Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and BOBBY EFFIN RYAN! Effin is drawing 4 minute high sticking penalties left and right these days, and the PP appreciates it (fans do too. Opponents? Not so much). So stay on the ice, get some more hockey war wounds on your pretty little face and stop fighting! Thanks (Besides, you totally lost that one).

It seems like one advantage to having brothers on the same team is that when they're hot, they're hot together. I mean, Scott Niedermayer is ALWAYS the man, but when Rob Niedermayer decides to join in on the fun I can't help but be overwhelmingly appreciative of him. Robbie's two goals last night were exactly what the Ducks needed. Just as Robbie got his first goal of the game, there was talk of the Ducks just trying to get out of the 2nd period still up 3-1. I thought to myself at the time...nah, I want another goal first. Then beautiful little pass from Scotty to his brother and BAM...the Ducks get what would eventually be the game winner. And of course, who doesn't love to see Robbie get those empty netters? No complaints here.

The Ducks were miserably outshot 14-2 in the third period. I can understand that. With a 3 goal lead, I'd rather them focus on playing some tight puck controlling offensive/defense (if that makes sense) than taking unnecessary shots on goal...but I also hope that means they're actually going to PLAY DEFENSE. It wasn't until the final 4 minutes of the game that I actually started sweating (we were playing ping pong too...that might have had something to do with it). The Ducks have this tendency to get too comfortable and they are punished for that laziness.

Thank the hockey gods for stick measurements!

I have to laugh about the stick measurement request last night against Teemu Selanne. I was at that game against San Jose in 2007 when the attempt actually worked. I just think the whole tactic is lame. Yea, I don't think anyone should be using illegal sticks, but to use the measurement as a means to win? Well...it's cheap. Of course, now that I've said it, the Ducks are going to use that same ploy sometime soon and I'll think it's lame then too. But none the less, to see Selanne skate back to the bench with that huge smile on his face knowing that the Oilers were about to go a man short on their attempt to try and comeback to win the game...priceless wasn't it? SUCKAS!!!

Speaking of thanking hockey gods...Jonas Hiller. He's just what the Ducks have ordered right now. He's got that smoking glove hand to prove it (I just love when he does that). Here's hoping that Randy Carlyle doesn't go all sentimental and try to change things up. I think it's possible we might be seeing JS Giguere in a game against San Jose on this upcoming home-and-home. I'll be honest, I hope that Hiller plays the first of the two. If he plays the way we all hope and EXPECT him to play...we might just see him take the second game as well. It's possible.

I think Todd Marchant is really playing his heart out right now. I appreciate that. Seeing him go down like that during a vital PK and then find the strength to CLEAR THE PUCK! Awesome! He's skating harder and faster than we've see from him in previous years, and it's paying off.

The Ducks should have won last Friday, but should have doesn't get you two points. Last night they played like team we all have been expecting to see this entire season. I don't know that this team would be clicking like this if the trades had not happened. This chemistry is slowly building from a smoldering ember to what will hopefully be a full raging fire over the next few...well, I won't push it past the final 5 games of the season. We'll see where these games take the Ducks...but hopefully this is just the start of a full grown Southern California forest fire.

Here we come Columbus...get the hell out of our way!

GO DUCKS!!!

Ducks in a Row...never enough

Just in case you needed confirmation that I'm a woman...

I wasn't satisfied with last night's win. Typical right?

Sure...I'm thrilled they got two points...but they also let the game go into OT, giving Nashville a point, something the Ducks can't afford to give to ANYONE right now. Yea they scored a goal as predicted (haha, man was I happy that happened last night...I would have felt awful if it hadn't), but I didn't feel like they had that fire they were all saying they were going to be bringing to the table.

They were too fancy last night, too fancy. Come on guys, you cant make solid open ice passes, what makes you think you're going to connect between 2 or 3 defenders? And what's this thing lately (or all season) where they play in these clusters? It seems like so often they're all right on top of each other. They're in the way of one another, not helping to create the space and time needed for the guy with the puck.

During the previous 2 seasons I used to fret when I heard that the "backup" was in net for the evening. Even though both Ilya Bryzgalov and Jonas Hiller are fantastic back-ups, I always worried and cringed a bit more when shots were taken at those guys. This year that's not the case. When I saw JS Giguere leave the ice early during the pre-game skate, I was instantly nervous. He had a few outstanding saves in last nights game, but again I just felt as if he could have been better. He could have been the guy we loved watching play in seasons past. Someone said they were surprised to see that so many fans have turned on Jiggy so easily, I don't think that this is the case. It's been a SEASON'S worth of time watching him struggle. I completely understand that he has family situations and personal issues that have made things more difficult for him this year, but I would expect him to be the one to step up and say, "I can't do it, I'm not in the mindset." He's a professional, it's his job to say that he isn't 100%. No one can make that judgment better than he can. So when I see him on the ice, it tells me he feels like he will be able to bring 100%. I'm not satisfied with Jiggy's 100% right now, and it makes me uneasy to see him on the ice. I'm starting to wonder if the team is feeling the same way. After the 2nd goal (I believe) was given up, Jiggy and Chris Pronger were tied up in the crease. As Pronger got back to his feet, you could see he and Jiggy having a bit of a conversation. I obviously don't know what was said, but I think Pronger said something like this, "gee, I wish you were Hiller." Yea, maybe a bad interpretation...but I wonder if I'm really that far off.

I was just not impressed. I'm still wanting more from this team, expecting more from these guys. This is still not a playoff team. Even if they make it to the post season, I don't think they will make a dent. There isn't enough fire and passion for 16 wins, 4 wins, to make the playoffs in the first place.

I'm just sayin...if that's the fire we were supposed to be seeing, it was barely an ember in my book. Apparently I have high expectations from future hall of fame-ers, Norris trophy winners, All star players and kids drafted high in the first round. Maybe that's just me though.

Gee, you'd think they lost after reading this one wouldn't you?

So for tonight I just hope these guys don't let a lame OT win clog their minds. They're going to need to bring alot more than they did last night.

Playing this back to back, hopefully it means we'll be seeing Hiller tonight. Don't let me down Hiller, don't let the team down.

Any goals the team gets will need to be team efforts. No one can do it on their own.

Here's hoping Bobby Ryan surpasses Dustin Penner for rookie points tonight, as he was able to tie that last night with 45.

Also, it's necessary to recognize an amazing career by Teemu Selanne, congratulations to him for reaching 1,200 career points. In addition it was his 574th goal, passing Mike Bossy on the all-time list.

In addition, Rob Niedermayer will be playing in his 1,000th career game tonight.

Tonight is what it's all about boys...do it!

GO DUCKS!!!

Ducks in a Row: I love the smell of 7 goals in the morning!

How wonderful was last night?

Who doesn't miss seeing the Ducks play like that night in night out?

Fabulous.

There were stretches of time during the game...LONG STRETCHES where the Ducks were completely dominate. There were stretches of the game last night, where the Ducks looked like the Ducks we as fans have been waiting to see for months.

How long is this high intensity of play going to last?

How long is this desire to not get traded going to help to pull the Ducks through the western conference?

The next few months are going to be difficult for the Ducks...but with nights like last night...all is not lost!

Two things I noticed about last nights game. One, not something they can always control, was the bounces. I'd really say that last night was the first time in a long time that the bounces were going in the Ducks' favor. How many nights have we seen them pushing at shoving at the net, only for the puck to get cleared? Last night the Ducks were able to get alot of those junk goals. One off of Corey Perry's body, another off of the shaft of Rob Niedermayer's stick and 1 of Chris Kunitz's 2 goals didn't appear to actually be chipped in by his own stick. Sometimes those things are going in your favor and last night was one of them. On the same note, they were playing very aggressively and getting the puck to the net in the first place.

Which brings me to point two. Aggressive defensemen. I don't know if the fears of being traded are kicking in, but last night Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Steve Montador, Brett Festerling...those guys were all playing an aggressive OFFENSIVE game. Taking shots down low and being forceful around the net. It made a difference. The Perry body goal was a shot taken from Niedermayer, and Robbies stick goal was a bullet from Pronger. I like to see those things, and I like that the Ducks are taking strong chances offensively. Hey...Scotty's down low goals got the Ducks through the 2007 playoffs remember?

Keep it up gents!

Tonight's Ducks in a Row:

Goals from Getzlaf, Ryan, Montador, Ebbett and Pronger (yes Ramon, I'm still waiting for my Ebbett goal).

And tonight, we welcome back the Jiggy we ALL KNOW AND LOVE!

GO DUCKS!

Battle of the Back-ups!

With Jonas Hiller representing the current Ducks and Ilya Bryzgalov representing the Ducks of yesteryear, it was a battle of Ducks backup goalies tonight...and glad to say current Ducks backup Hiller was FABULOUS!

Here are just a few highlights of the game:

Like I already said, Hiller really showed up tonight, registering his 3rd NHL career shutout (all coming this season). In addition, he was really put to the test on two occasions tonight. One when having to kill off a Coyotes 5 on 3 opportunity and again when the Ducks were summoned to kill a double minor high sticking penalty given by rookie defenseman Brendan Mikkelson. The Ducks had a hard time clearing the puck, not to mention were short-"sticked" because Brett Festerling had a broken stick during the PK, only to have Rob Niedermayer give his up to the defenseman. Hiller and the Ducks defense played wonderfully and obviously killed off both opportunities.

A great positive here is that the Ducks took only 3 penalties. Unfortunately they came at the Ducks a little rough. Chirs Pronger received a delay of game penalty with Steve Montador still in the box serving his hooking penalty, giving the 5 on 3 opportunity for about a minuet. And of course, Mikkelson's high sticking 4 minuets.

The Ducks were dominate. Controlling the puck for much of the game. It's just a shame the scoreboard didn't reflect that dominance a bit more. Damn that Bryz!

Of course seeing the Ducks score on two Power Play Opportunites was a plus. Prongers goal from the left circle was a bit rare for him as he usually doesn't play an offensive role that deep. I guess on the Power Play, anything goes. In addition Bobby Ryan had an awesome goal from the low right circle, Teemu Selanne style. When I watched the replay it seemed nearly impossible. Where the kid found enough room to feed the puck between Bryz and the post is beyond me. I guess it's a good thing he wears 54 and not me.

Overall, the Ducks played hard and physical. It wasn't just a game that they won, it was a game that they deserved to win.

Another positive...the Ducks take sole position of 2nd in the Pacific. Let's keep it up. We know who's looming on the horizon for the next 2 games...

GO DUCKS!

Happy Birthday Little Guy!!!

So many wonderful things for the Ducks tonight. Coming off what I felt was a strong showing on New Year’s Eve, the Ducks continued that strong physical play again tonight.

A few little things first.

Face-offs. It became instantly very clear that the Ducks were winning face-offs in a huge number and controlling the game because of it. One of the first face-off losses the Ducks gave up resulted in the Flyers first goal of the game. Ryan Getzlaf was fantastic going 14-6 (70%), Samuel Pahlsson 18-9 (67%). The little things like that give the team a great opportunity to get a win.

Corey Perry gets a goal. Big thing for him tonight to try and get that flowing again. Not only was the goal very flashy and exciting, but it came on a night that he was “in the spotlight” on KDOC. Not to mention…what a beautiful BEAUTIFUL pass to a very open Getzlaf for his power play goal in the 2nd period. Not to be overlooked, Steve Montador had a HUGE hit to get that play going in the right direction.

Robbie Niedermayer gets goal number 9 for the season. Keep it up buddy, you’ve already surpassed last years mark (8)! Perhaps he's on his way to a career year. His career season high was set in 2005-2006 while with the Ducks, he had 15 goals.

Physical play. MANY MANY big hits on the night for the Ducks. This is their style of game and it has been so prevalent for them in the past. It works for them, when they play that style, it pays off well.

Most exciting for the night, birthday boy Andrew Ebbett gets his first NHL goal of his career. “It’s nice to get it out of the way” says Ebbett while being interviewed DURING the 2nd period.

HUGE Penalty Kill PERIOD by the Ducks in the middle of the third. 8 Minutes shorthanded…not helpful in terms of scoring, but huge in terms of momentum. Well, here's the positive spin…I didn’t think the Ducks showed frustration like they normally do in situations like that. They stayed focused and cleared the puck well. I suppose if the Ducks are going to take so many penalties, then killing them forcefully and effectively is the best way to go about it.

JS Giguere was fabulous again tonight. Fabulous. He seemed focused, sharp and very quick. Seeing Jiggy in “Jiggy” form is always a highlight.

Scary moment of the evening, seeing Getzlaf go down after getting slammed, with no interference call by the way, in the neutral zone. It was fantastic to see him back out there and even better when he scored that intense power play goal in the second. I'm hoping that it's just going to be a little sore for him, and that there will be nothing further from the hit to the knee.

In addition, keeping Jeff Carter scoreless was HUGE! He's currently leading the league right now in goals, and seeing him NOT get one was a pleasure. In addition, it was equally nice to keep Joffrey Lupul scoreless especially after what he said about playing in Anaheim in his blog (you'll want to check out the December 31 post). Thanks to Adam Brady for the heads up on that one. Anyway, alot of credit goes to the checking line on this one. They shut down the Flyers' first line VERY effectively, as mentioned, keeping Carter scoreless. Even better, getting scoring from that same line was something that the Ducks need more of when playing powerful opponents like Philadelphia and those guys have to spend more time than usual on the ice.

So while this has been a fairly positive post, here comes my “bummer” of the evening…
It’s unfortunate to say that the Ducks gave up two goals and consequently two leads just moments after going ahead with big goals themselves. It proves to be the reason for the loss. Just keeping one of those goals out of the net means a win in regulation. Otherwise…strong game for the Ducks. Keep it up boys…don’t get discouraged.

Side note:
Teemu Selanne was visiting in the announcers booth tonight. He talked about how GOOD he’s feeling. He’s been off crutches for a few days now and said that, “If somebody would have told me that two weeks ago I could walk and I could do a lot of things right now, I would have been surprised.” He’s looking good. In addition, at the end of the 2nd period he said, “I can’t wait (to get back), I know coach doesn’t like these kind of games, but I’d rather win a game 7-6 than 1-nothing.” Love that guy.

Another thing he mentioned was that the cut he received on his left thigh was only, “2 millimeters away from the main artery.” YIKES! That would have been VERY bad to say the least!

Okay, so the Ducks only get 1 point tonight and don't exactly get 2009 off to the right start, but for the most part, they are showing great improvements. I hope to see more play like this from them in the future...it could really do some damage here in the Pacific Division.

GO DUCKS!!!

Oh...and don't forget tomorrow at 10:30am Pacific Time...starting line up will be announced!!

Let's talk Ryan...

Which one?

Pick one. Getzlaf, Carter, Bobby...they all had equally exciting nights.

Let's start with Ryan...uh...Bobby. Bobby Ryan is doing what I think everyone is hoping he will do. Show up. He's playing strong hockey no matter what line he's on. Starting with the 4th line tonight, he had an outstanding pass to a wide open Ryan Carter. It was a beautiful pass THROUGH the defenseman's leg. Then in the third he gets his own pushing and shoving goal!!! It's clear hes thinking out there and working hard to make smart plays. I LIKE IT!

So now lets do Ryan Carter...
The guy is back for his first game after missing too many and he's already doing WAY MORE than...well, you know. On the receiving end of Bobby Ryan's perfect pass, his speed finds him in the open space for a great touch into the back of the net. I think he came out to show that he doesn't want to be a healthy scratch again any time soon (FINE BY ME!). I hate the fighting as it is, and I hate it even more when someone gets hurt and his crazy and somewhat frightening fight where he sent Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to the ice was probably one of the sour notes on the night. But I'm willing to look past that.

Last and most definitely NOT LEAST, Ryan Getzlaf. I wanted so badly wanted him to get a hat trick. It would have been perfect finish after being the "spotlight" of the night for the KDOC broadcast and after getting the Anaheim Ducks 3,000 all time goal (he awkward congratulated HIMSELF during his star of the night interview...very funny). VERY EXCITING! What a way for the "FRANCHISE" to make his mark. Anyway, he had a great opportunity for it in the 3rd when he had a breakaway opportunity only to make too many moves and get the puck tangled up in the skates of the defenseman. When is too early to start thinking about giving someone who has a 5 year contract an extension?

Other fantastic notes of the night, George Parros has really impressed me this year. Again, I'm not a fan of the fighting, so in previous seasons I haven't really been a Parros fan. But this year he has really shown some improvement and I don't fear it so much when I see the 4th line on the ice anymore. His two assists, were a career high for him. Happy to see it!

After giving up two quick goals in the end of the 3rd, Rob Niedermayer gets his 6th of the season to put an end to the 3rd period comeback madness.

So in the end I want to say thank you Ryan...Getzlaf, Carter, Bobby for a fantastic showing tonight. I think you all played your parts wonderfully.

...more later...?

Visually Impaired

So without watching I take this from the game:
Jonas Hiller played great, the TOP line gets it done again, Rob Niedermayer knows when it's a good time to step up, Teemu Selanne is a power play GOD (12 of his 13 are PP goals), and I hate when the game is not on TV!

Hiller. I just can't say enough. Ramon sent me a text asking how they "sounded". My response was, "they are all I heard in the first...don't have a SOG (at the time) in the second"! I can only imagine the saves Hiller had to make in order to keep them in the game for the turn around third. Being out shot in the 2nd 17-3 is ridiculous (more on that later). Man, Hiller's great, so great that the NHL gave him a 1.028 SV% (having apparently stopped 37 of 36 SA). Interesting, does anyone understand that...something I'm missing?!

I wonder who gave the team the tongue lashing between the 2nd and 3rd? Cause they sounded like a different team from one period to the next.

I wish I had more to say about it but I don't.

Oh, but speaking of SOG...here's an update on winners/losers. Winners in bold.

18.) Nashville = 35 @ Ducks = 35
19.) Los Angeles = 29 @ Ducks = 26
20.) Washington = 33 @ Ducks = 32
21.) Ducks = 28 @ St. Louis = 28
22.) Ducks = 24 @ Dallas = 32
23.) Colorado = 30 @ Ducks = 24
24.) Chicago = 26 @ Ducks = 21
25.) Ducks = 27 @ Carolina = 37

The SOG theory is holding true. The SOG LOSER has won 5 of the last 8. For the season, 19 of 25 times has this been the case (76%).

That's all for today!

GO DUCKS!!!

Jiggy...OH JIGGY!

He’s done it again…doing what Jiggy does best, “giving the team a chance to win.” I’ve already mentioned this before…but it’s time to take this guy to dinner again boys! Saving 35 shots last night, he got lucky at times, such as the wide open net opportunity for Anze Kopitar, and at other times made fabulous saves, like the sprawling glove save during the 1st period denying Kyle Calder. I also think Jiggy has shown a bit of Hiller type glove work as of late…I’m liking it! Clearly this isn’t going to be enough every night for Jiggy to pretty much be the only factor in winning the game, but it was last night. The Ducks win 1-0 and my friend Ramon pointed out that it’s another reminder of the Stanley Cup scoreboard between to the two teams. LOVE IT!

It was nice to see the Ducks finally get set up on that last power play at the beginning of overtime. Heck, if they had been able to do that during regulation, there wouldn’t have been an overtime in the first place. The Ducks looked frustrated to say the least and did not play a solid 60 minuets...not even a solid 20. Careless penalties could have been our downfall, Ryan Carter's roughing call in the 3rd for one, as well as the craziness that was Rob Niedermayer’s double minor. I still don’t really understand what happened there.

I’m feeling some frustration for Chris Kunitz. I mentioned yesterday that I felt like he’s getting an extra dose of physical play thrown his way. Maybe he’s looking for it, to help open things up for Perry and Getzlaf? But for the most part, I’m just waiting for that guy to get a bit of a breakthrough. He seems to be working his butt off and I think he will be rewarded for that soon.

The Staples Center is an interesting place to say the least. For one, it’s ten times colder than the Honda Center. Also, there wasn’t much for any fan to be cheering about last night, but none the less it was extremely quiet. I felt that during those periods of silence it was my duty to cheer for the Ducks, even if I was the only one doing so. I did…and as a result, I have no voice today! We had fantastic seats, about 20 rows up from the glass…thanks again UJ (oh and congrats on getting on the video board…I know you were very excited about that! You so wonderfully made a fool of yourself and I would have expected nothing less! Remember, it’s GO DUCKS!) But for me, getting my record at the Staples Center up to .500 was a plus not to mention having the opportunity to scream like crazy when the Ducks scored the only goal of the game!

One thing that really bothers me about Kings fans, I’m sorry to say, they have no pride in their team at ALL! I understand it’s hard when there isn’t much to cheer for, but the least you can do is root on your own team, why waste time rooting against the team you hate?! It’s kind of like those stickers you see on the back of cars where the little boy is peeing on the logo of the team/car brand/politician’s name…etc…that they DON’T like. It’s like, okay…we know who you AREN’T a fan of…but who DO you like?! You’d rather show your ANTI-support for another team instead of your support for your favorite team? It doesn’t make sense to me. So, last night a constant cheer of “Ducks Suck” was blasted in our ears. Come on now…take pride in your team, no matter where they are in the standings. It made the win that much better…clearly we DON’T suck.

Tonight…the Ducks take on Mr. Unmentionable and Mr. Andy Mac. One of the two players is for sure on Duck’s fans “most hated list” and the other I know many fans were sad to see go. Both guys have been playing well for St. Louis and have a combined 26 points (Kariya 2-12=14, McDonald 1-11=12) this season. In addition we all know they are good friends of Teemu Selanne and I for one would love it if Mr. Selanne would show them both what he can do without them. I think it would be a nice touch.

Go Ducks…let’s hope you bring more tonight that you did last night!