When "I told you so" hurts so much...

And just like that...

I told you so.

Francois Beauchemin has signed with the Anaheim Ducks of Toronto. Brian Burke has struck again!

Quick question for the man (Burke)..."are there no other players in the league that fit your standards or what?! MUST you take ALL of Anaheim's players/coaching staff with you?!"

Defensively, the real Anaheim is starting to look a little scary. Let's all hope that James Wisniewski's arbitration goes well, huh?!

So just like with Pronger, there are a few things I'm going to miss about Beauchemin...but mostly, I'm going to miss how much I thought he was like Scott Niedermayer. I've always felt that Beauch was like the poor mans Scotty, and I really think that Anaheim is going to hurt without his presence. The Ducks definitely struggled on the blueline this past season and when Beauch did return to the lineup, I think many fans realized how valuable he was.

Most of all, I'm going to miss the mis-pronunciation of his name. I don't think I've ever had a good handle on it myself, but hearing VS. announcers and other play by play guys calling him BeaucheMAN during the 2007 run for the cup will always be my favorite.

So, long live BeaucheBOY in our hearts...au revoir BeaucheMAN.

One thing is for sure. Brian Burke is really making some enemies in Anaheim.

----

So this kinda brings me to this next topic...one that I thought I would blog about, then decided to pass on. But now, it might be fitting.

I'm kinda disappointed.

I'm actually disappointed in Scott Niedermayer.

WHAT? ARE YOU CRAZY?! Another year of Scotty...that's fantastic!

Perhaps. But I'm disappointed in him. I thought he was better than that. Let me start off by saying this...

There are no other defensemen I want to see on my team. I love Scotty and I think he's an amazing player, one hell of a leader and does more for the Anaheim Ducks than I think fans realize. I think Scotty is easily a 6, 7, 8 million dollar defenseman...

And yet, I think he should have taken less, much less.

Look, we all know why he's coming back. This is MOST LIKELY going to be his final year and he's VERY interested in the Olympics. He's just made over 26 million in the last 4 years...and yet...he needs another 6? Ramon and Krystal don't agree with me. They think he deserves it. I agree with that. He's WORTHY of the 6 million. But why not be a team player? Give up a few million and allow the team to spend that money elsewhere (LIKE WITH BEAUCHEMIN!)?! Mini asks, "but if someone offered you 6 million, wouldn't you take it?" SURE I would...but if I wanted to win another cup and I knew that if I saved my team 2 million just for signing less...you bet I would. You bet that the team could mean more. If I was Scott Niedermayer, you know, the only player in hockey history to have won every major championship...the man who's done it all, been there, done that...MAYBE, just MAYBE I'd do what I could to get my teammates to that same place!

I love Scott Niedermayer, I'm glad he's returning to play another season and doing that with the Anaheim Ducks...but I wish he wouldn't have been so selfish, and gave a little back to the team... I can't imagine he NEEDS the money.

----

Like I said, this was just a thought I had after Scotty signed his recent 1 year deal for $6 million. I was initially very upset about how much money he signed for. I recalled Selanne taking less to stay with the team, and it just felt like this was a great opportunity for Scotty to do the same. Some say that he did take less to stay with the Ducks. But just think, maybe a little LESS...and we wouldn't be saying bye to Francois Beauchemin today. Just a thought.

GO DUCKS!!!

Nieder-lanne-ronger drama...the conclusion?

Get ready fans, these next few months are only going to get more and more interesting...with some tense days coming soon...very soon.

I only have one more thought on the Chris Pronger trade. A lot has been said of him recently (some good, more than his fair share of bad), fans who are sad to see him leave (me), those who are thrilled to see him go (your typical Pronger haters) and those who are looking at the whole picture (Ramon, UJ, many others...and slowly, but surely...me). I just want to make it clear, that while yes, his career has been somewhat controversial...I hope that ALL NHL fans around the league remember this one thing about him...

Fans don't boo nobodies.

So, please remember hockey fans...when you boo Pronger, it's because he's a real somebody...a force, a great defenseman...and someone out there (me) is a big fan. You are definitely lucky to have him on your roster for next season, Philly. Enjoy him.

-----

Okay, while the Chris Pronger era in Anaheim has officially come to a close, it's time to move on to next season with new, fresh, the same. As Joffrey Lupul prepares for his second run in Anaheim (minus all the "Mighty" stuff) and continues to think of ways to get number 15 back...the Ducks continue to roll out the carpet and welcome back the same 'ole faces...

Mr. Niedermayer (Scotty of course...you DO have to clarify these things sometimes). I am VERY happy to see that he is going to be returning to the Ducks next season, and I'm hoping at a cheaper price. However, with the recent loss of one GIANT defenseman, it's going to be vital that the Ducks are able to retain James Wisniewski AND/OR Francois Beauchemin (who I still predict will be playing for the Anaheim Ducks of Toronto next season...against my own personal wishes). As Ducks fans, we're all blessed to have a blueliner like Scott Niedermayer for a 5th season (WOW) and there is no doubting what he has brought to this franchise as a whole. By helping to put Anaheim into serious contention over the past few years (cup lifting and all), Scotty is exactly what the Ducks will need to make another run for the cup in 2010. Is it impossible to be done without him? No. Will it help? Hell yea.

Robbie? Well, that Niedermayer is sill a question mark.

Someone else who is likely to help make another serious run for the cup is Teemu Selanne. Returning once again this season for the second year on his current contract, Selanne will continue to threaten goalies once more. However, crucial to Selanne's success, will be the quality of his linemates. The Finnish Flash has shown no signs of slowing even with injuries sidelining him mid season. However, linemates who are able to get him the puck, fly with him through center ice, and take on the physical battles to give Selanne space and time will be crucial. Will Lupul be able to provide the speed, the physicality and the creativity required to play along side Selanne? Will the cheap Ryan Carter or Andrew Ebbett be slotted alongside the two? Bobby Effin Ryan? All of these questions will be answered once the season begins...or sooner depending on how the remainder of the off-season is handled.

Overall, the most important factor for the team this off-season is to address the need for second line scoring if they want to continue to be a Western Conference threat.

While it's great to see both Niedermayer and Selanne returning (and therefore quickly putting an end to the Nieder-lanne-ronger drama), there is SOOOOOO MUCH that needs to be done this off season for the Anaheim Ducks. Bob Murray has shown that he isn't afraid to move ANYONE. July 1st is just days away and fans are sure to see more names hit the headlines. I HOPE we see more names hit the headlines, because the fans want to see a successful year out of this franchise. We want WAY more than what we got out of the regular season, and definitely more in the post season!

Do your thing Murray, we'll all be watching, waiting, hoping...

GO DUCKS!!!

Those are MY seats!

Along with a few other people (like 12,000 or something) I am now officially a season seat holder! I'm very excited about it!

I got to pick my seats along with all of the other new seat holders at 5:30 (I saw a few Twitter pals there too...even though I didn't say hi- forgive me). UJ and I then continued to go back and forth between two sections...back and forth, back and forth...until finally settling on my new seats for next season! I am so excited to BE THERE!

So, minus the ice, that is my view for the 2009-2010 season...and I can't wait!

Is it time for training camp yet?!

Along with picking seats, Bob Murray gave everyone a little update on the off-season plans. There was not one shocking piece of information revealed.

Murray hasn't heard from Teemu Selanne because his word is based on Scott Niedermayer's decision. Scotty has promised to make his decision before Murray makes his way to the draft which is in only a few weeks. Everyone is injured (not really, but UJ was talking to me, so I missed some of the specifics) and should be healed by the time camp starts. They're expecting Francois Beauchemin to test the market (I'm predicting he ends up playing for the Anaheim Ducks of Toronto), they are planning on battling it out to keep James Wisniewski, and also planning on not getting themselves into a financial hole in order to keep Bobby Ryan next season when he's available to them for negotiations. Murray didn't give any indication regarding the goal tending situation and they are planning on finding a new goal tending coach to replace François Allaire.

All in all, it's going to be a crazy off-season...

GO DUCKS!!!

Don't be upset...be PROUD!

I've received a number phone calls from concerned friends who are apparently afraid that I might take my life after the Ducks were eliminated from the playoffs.

Yikes, maybe it's time I got a life outside of hockey?

Nah!!!!

Here's what I've told them all...

I'm not upset. That's right. I'm NOT upset. I can't be.

The Ducks weren't supposed to make the post season (not with the way the beginning of the season started and continued for nearly 70 games), there was no way in hell they were going to get past the San Jose Sharks...and the idea that they would lose in the final 3 minutes of game 7 against Detroit was out right preposterous. And yet, they did all of that.

I'm not upset.

I'm not upset that we've learned Jonas Hiller is one hell of a goal tender, who's likely only going to get better.

I'm not upset that Francois Beauchemin missed 60+ games allowing space for Bobby Effin Ryan to make his case...and even more so, I'm thrilled to see that Beauch came back stronger than ever. Re-sign him please.

I'm not upset that this season, Bobby Effin Ryan made a name for HIMSELF...without the need to mention that OTHER guy.

I'm not upset that Ryan Getzlaf, the superstar that he is, and Corey Perry, are only getting better and leading this team at such a young age.

I'm not upset to have experienced another year of Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer, who for all purposes are still amazing players. Weather or not they return next season, I am honored to have witnessed their greatness.

I'm not upset that while yes, we lost a lot of great players during the trade deadline, we gained some wonderful players who made the push to the playoffs worth every bit of heartache. I have a lot of respect for what James Wisniewski, Petteri Nokelainen, Mike Brown, and Sheldon Brookbank brought to a struggling Anaheim Ducks team.

I'm not upset to have learned that GM Bob Murray has the balls, courage, and a great view for this team. It will be exciting what he does with this franchise in the off-season.

I'm not upset that after 95 games, I lost my voice numerous times cheering/screaming for this team I love.

I'm not upset that the Ducks have a fabulous core group of young guys, primed and ready to step up and do their jobs.

I'm definitely not upset about eliminating San Jose in the first round and I'm okay with still having a million and a half reasons to hate Detroit.

What am I upset about?

That I have to wait 120+ days until I get to see them take the ice once again.

So if you're feeling down and depressed about the Ducks elimination...don't be. As fans, we have nothing to be upset about. We're still miles better than the Kings, we're obviously better than Sharks, we aren't facing the uncertainty of our future like the Coyotes are, and that team that knocked us out last year? They didn't even see the post season!

Just remember what these Ducks have done for Southern California hockey...

...and don't be upset...be PROUD to be a fan of the Anaheim Ducks!

Damn, I love this game.

GO DUCKS!!!

The shake will wait!

And the Ducks live to see another day (and so do I for that matter).

This was by far the best game the Ducks have played against Detroit thus far.

More importantly...this is the type of games the Ducks MUST play against Detroit.

What I love...

Puck movement. It was pleasantly nice for a change. Too fancy at times (Ryan Getzlaf...not everyone is you...please calm it down just a bit), but effective enough. The Ducks have a chip and chase method going on against Detroit and only when they are able to maintain control while playing this style will they be successful. Tonight, they were. In addition, they were able to get in Detroit's face, just enough, to disturb their puck movement. Making Detroit pay in the neutral zone is one of the few strong defensive plays the Ducks have at their disposal. When they are playing this well, it slows down Detroit's offense majorly. Huge plus for the Ducks.

What I'm hating...

Their inability to clear the zone. I talked about this a lot when the Ducks were facing San Jose. They seem to be great at clearing the puck from the front of the net, and yet, they struggle from getting it free from the zone completely. UGH! Fortunately for the Ducks, they are still employing the services of the ever wonderful Scott Niedermayer, who, even when fighting, always seems to gain the upper hand. I don't know what it is about that man...but I'm always at ease when he's on the ice.

Who I'm loving...

The Ryan's. I guess because they always seem to have the big plays, but tonight they were all credited with something huge. Ryan Whitney had a huge sprawling save a-la-Pronger style, and while the guy always seems to shy from the physical, if he wants to use his body to block shots, I'm all for it. Ryan Carter had a huge hit early in the game, and on the same shift did a fabulous job at boxing out at the front of the net for Teemu Selanne to get a few good shots on goal. Bobby Effin Ryan, who seems to be turning the corner finally. He didn't have a great game, but it was far improved from previous showings in this series. He had a big assist tonight and played much more physical than we've seen from him lately. Finally, Ryan Getzlaf...who I always feel can be a deal breaker for the Ducks. It was 4 months into the season that the Ducks finally won a game where Getzlaf didn't have at least 1 point (February 2 against Buffalo). That basically means when Getzlaf isn't contributing...the Ducks are going to have a hard time finding the wins they so desperately need. So Getz...do us all a favor...AND SHOOT THE PUCK MORE! Thanks, all our love...faithful Ducks fans!

Who I'm hating...

Detroit (that never changes).

What must continue...

Jonas Hiller has got to continue to be the man that he is. Always seeming so confident in between the pipes, and I love having him out there. He's still seeing way more than his fair share of shots on goal, but the important part is that he's SEEING them. Great thanks goes to the defense once again for that one. Let's face it though...without a solid goal tender like Hiller, there is no post season to speak of.

What must end...

The Ducks have got to stop taking lame penalties. Andrew Ebbett's retaliation penalty is unacceptable and can potentially cost the Ducks this series. In addition...too many men?! Pathetic! TWICE?!?! ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! There is NO WAY the Ducks will continue to be successful against Detroit by giving them so many power play opportunities!

Most Importantly...

The Ducks need to do it...ONE MORE TIME!

GO DUCKS!!!

Saved by the whistle!

Whew! That was a close one last night. Probably should have been closer than it was...but the fact of the matter is that the Ducks got the "W".

At this point, I don't think it matters how this series turns out, the Red Wings and their fans aren't going to be happy. They'll be looking at what they consider to be a questionable hit in game 1 and now a goal that shouldn't have been called off and continue to call the Ducks "lucky". When it comes down to it, the Ducks got a call in their favor for a change. Plain and simple. Was it pay back for a kicked in goal during game 2? Was it to rectify an elbow to the already injured James Wisniewski? It doesn't matter. What everyone needs to remember is that questionable calls are going to happen in every game. Sure, it's easier to be okay with a questionable call when it goes in your teams favor, and I'm not trying to excuse it. Every team has suffered a fate from the whistle, and this time it was a positive for the Ducks.

"He didn't make a mistake. In hindsight, if he had a slow-motion camera to review it, he may not have (blown the whistle). He did what all officials are instructed to do. Blow the whistle when they don't see the puck. And he didn't see the puck." - E.J. McGuire, series manager and spokesman for officials. Anaheim Ducks Official Web Site

We all know humans are going to make mistakes. When it comes down to it, referee Brad Watson was simply doing his job. Referees aren't always good at their job, but it's part of the job description to be hated by fans across the league. He's currently getting top billing as employee of the month from me!

Way more important than screwing over the Red Wings (which I love more than you can imagine) is the status of James Wisniewski. I didn't see the play as it happened, but did notice immediately that he was hurt after the elbow to his face. While watching the replay of the game at home, it was obvious that he took a shot to the chest and was in considerable pain from that. To add further injury to injury, he then received an elbow to the face from Tomas Holmstrom. Scott Niedermayer was the only man sent to the box on that play for a hooking call, and Detroit scored on the following PP opportunity. It's okay though, the Ducks got that call back when the whistle sounded in their favor at the end of the game. Reports from the Anaheim Ducks Official Web Site is that Wisniewski has suffered a lung contusion and was kept over night for monitoring. He is apparently doing well however, and I know I'm just one of thousands of fans who hopes he is doing well. I'm sure it's too much to ask that we see him tomorrow night, as I have no idea how long this type of injury may last, but hopefully sooner than later. He's become a HUGE reason the Ducks have had their recent success, and I'm a big fan of the Wiz. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

Another daunting message from last night was revealed in MANY tweets I received via Twitter regarding Effin. Those messages were all the same..."Where's Bobby Effin Ryan?". Even the constantly angry guy sitting behind me (he complained about EVERYTHING) couldn't help but voice his frustrations every time the kid couldn't maintain control of the puck. Is it possible Ducks fans were spoiled by his regular season brilliance? Is he folding under the pressure? Is he too good to be true? I say, "nah!" to all of those things. It's quite possible that he's just hit a dry spell. It's also very possible that Detroit knows better than to give Effin an ounce of breathing room, knowing very well what he is capable of. I say, give the kid some time. Get off his back for a bit and let him be a rookie. This is his first time in the post season and I'm sure the nerves are there and the pressure is definitely there...give him a day or so off of the criticism block and let him play his game. The goals and the points will come.


On that same note, it's a great thing the Ducks have players like Ryan Getzlaf to rely on. He didn't have a big night last night on the scoreboard, but I was watching him closely- and wow, is he underrated. It's so much of the little things that Getzlaf brings to the game that are remarkable. The way he handles the puck is unbelievable in it's own right, but how he controls a play, and moves around the ice is fascinating to watch. In addition, he's very smart with the puck up against the boards. I watched that closely last night and to see the way he uses not only his stick, but his feet, his legs, and his body to make space for puck control...thats a talent that can't be taught- it's natural. I give Getzlaf a lot of crap from time to time, and I'm realizing just now that it's because I'm really understanding why Brian Burke constantly remarked that he can "be as good as he wants to be". It's amazing at how good he is when it appears he isn't even trying...and when he is trying, the guy is quite possibly unstoppable.

Another highlight of the night was the beautiful little backhander by Teemu Selanne to put the Ducks on the board. Most impressive on that play was the great feed from Ryan Carter. I'm not one to pat myself on the back...but I will say this:

I've been calling for the Ebbett-Carter-Selanne line for months! MONTHS!!! I'm glad to see that it's paying off for the Ducks. Maybe more importantly, I'm glad to see the inspiration for Carter to stay in the lineup means he's got 4 points in his last 5 games. The Ducks need scoring from anyone - and with Detroit working so hard to keep the Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry line down, second line scoring is huge. So is converting on breakaways...maybe Selanne should have a little sit down with Drew Miller and give him a few tips on how to be successful going one-on-one. Couldn't hurt.

One more thing...the Honda Center was insanely loud last night. My friends and I were having difficulty talking to each other from time to time. I don't know if it was the combination of too many Red Wings fans in the building, or just the fact that these playoff games bring out the emotions in everyone, but it was great to hear all of the fans doing their part. We're going to need to bring this continued support as I feel the refs are going to be making up for the late "no goal" in game 4's match up.

It's great to be up 2-1 in this series, but this thing is FAR from over!

See you there tomorrow night, it'll be a doosie!

GO DUCKS!!!

All day hockey event?! I'LL TAKE IT!

THANK YOU TODD MARCHANT!

I don't know that this blog post requires more than that.

What a long exhausting game for players and fans. I, for one, love knowing that after 100 minutes of hockey, Detroit fans left dejected.

This game didn't need to go into overtime. I think the Ducks know that. The painfully lame slashing penalty by the reckless Ryan Getzlaf and Detroit is on an early power play. Then, a ridiculous call by the "Situation Room"...

Hockey Operations used video review to determine if Detroit player Stuart used a distinct kicking motion (the fact that the puck bounced off Anaheim defenseman Wisniewski before going in the net is not a factor - Rule 49.2 states "A kicked puck that deflects off the body of any player of either team shall be ruled no goal"). The decision of Hockey Ops was that Stuart did not use a distinct kicking motion - Good goal. NHL.com

I have to question that one. I would have voted kicking. Doesn't matter now...all is said and done.

Jonas Hiller was looking rusty in the early moments of the game (I call them early when you play 5+ periods of hockey). More of those soft 5 hole goals and lofty short side opportunities are goals that Hiller can't afford to give up. He definitely found a way to shine through the final 2 periods of overtime as that klepto-glove of his was as lethal as ever. Saving 59 of the 62 shots he faced, I'm beginning to wonder if he knows exactly what's on the line in these playoff games. He always seems so calm and put together...I really wonder if he realizes that this is more than just a "really long game". Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining one bit.

In the end, the important factor was, as always, scoring. Scoring from the typical guys, Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Pronger, as well as the not so common guys, Ryan Carter and Todd Marchant. I really think the not so common guys were the deciding factor in the game. Seeing Carter step up and get a big goal off of a beautiful end board bank by Scott Niedermayer. Josh Green, who for all purposes came out of nowhere (both on the roster and in the game), was just inches from winning the game. Mike Brown, who yet again, had a huge night drawing 2 penalties and showed no signs of effect from his ejection on Friday. Drew Miller and his two break away opportunities and of course, Marchants game winner. It's these guys, the ones who's names aren't mentioned in the headlines...the guys who don't score 60+ points in a season...who are not likely to be the focus of the opponents checking line...THESE GUYS, they're going to win you tight games after 40 minutes of overtime of the playoffs.

More on the Ryan's for just a moment. It really seemed to me that they all played a part in today's game. Some good, some bad. Unfortunately, the bad went to both Ryan Whitney and Bobby Ryan. I still think that there might be something going on with Effin that we as fans aren't aware of, and I think it's put a hindrance on his intensity. He seems a jump behind everyone and it caused Randy Carlyle to move him to the second line and replace him with Carter. I can't say that I like that as a permanent position as I think Carter is a better option on the Selanne line as is Ryan for the Getzlaf-Perry line. But, sometimes the team needs a different look and a spark. It was a good call by Carlyle. In addition, both Getzlaf and Carter were big factors in the game as the both found the net to keep the Ducks in the game. Ryan Whitney on the other hand looks a bit scrambled from time to time. I'd like to see him get more aggressive.

In terms of Scott Niedermayer...I'd like to know what happened to him. I don't think that this was what I'd call a typical Scotty game. He was out of position, out skated and taking sloppy (yes, lame) penalties. I'd like to think that this was just a one time thing, but I felt like he wasn't himself during the first game of this series either. But it happens from time to time...shake it off Scotty!

Overall, the Ducks showed a lot of heart on the ice. They somehow found the energy that Marchant referenced, moments before scoring the game winner, to keep going strong over 100 minutes of hockey. They're going to be tired on Tuesday, but the good news is that Detroit will be tired too. One of the positives from the game is this...they really made Detroit look vulnerable from time to time...and they're coming home 1-1.

GO DUCKS!!!

Seaons are nice, but the Playoffs are better

"You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone. Not fit to f*@#!ing tread the ground that I am walking on!"
-Harder to Breathe; Maroon 5

I've been waiting to use that one for a while now. It feels good.

You know what else? Barry Melrose must look like a GENIUS right now! Basically the ONLY "expert" to have picked the Ducks to take the first round from the PRESIDENT TROPHY WINNING SAN JOSE SHARKS...the Ducks are convincingly victorious in my opinion.

I don't like to talk about the games...some of you may have noticed on Twitter. A typical response from me is..."Shhhhhhhhh!" Don't be offended, I just don't want to talk about it. Okay, catch me in November against Edmonton or something, and I MIGHT join in on some trash talk, but I don't touch the playoffs with a ten foot pole. However, I have NO PROBLEMS talking about the now eliminated San Jose Sharks. The joy that I feel right now, having seen the EIGHTH seeded Ducks REMOVE the PRESIDENTS TROPHY WINNING SAN JOSE SHARKS, that joy is indescribable.

Here is something I said to a few people...very few people...

On Saturday, the Ducks were awful...no kidding right? The first two periods were terrible and YET, they found a way to come back and tie it up. That, to me, was a HUGE motivational boost for this Ducks team. I think with that loss, while yes it sucked, still showed that they are able to beat this team and they might just be BETTER THAN SAN JOSE! Which is all they needed to know about themselves! With the amazing victory last night, I think they proved to the rest of NHL that the Ducks are that good.

It seems to me that San Jose is a great team. There is no doubt that they had the ability to go far this post season. It's just unfortunate for them that they were forced to face the team that "no one wants to play". So what's next for San Jose? Tee Time and a long restful summer with the Presidents Trophy! There isn't anything better than that right? Oh wait...Stanley...he's better...but they wouldn't know that feeling.

In all sincerity, San Jose was a great team this season. They didn't just win the Presidents Trophy by luck, they were good enough to deserve it. They dominated at home and they dominated in most of the games they played. Unfortunately they were hot during the wrong time of the year. On the other end...the Ducks got hot at just the right time.

Next time? Nah, not if the Ducks have anything to say about it.

Mini has given up seafood for this victory. Every year she gives up something for each round pertaining to the team the Ducks are playing. She no longer votes for Senators and for a year refused to have Little Caesars pizza. Last year she gave up Famous Star burgers...but that one didn't work out too well. So this year...she's not allowed to have seafood until THE NEXT SEASONS PLAYOFFS BEGIN! It'll be a tough year for her, but the hockey gods have called for it, and now she must pay. I love her for it! :)

Highlight of the night? Yea, there are the obvious...Teemu Selanne finally breaking though; Jonas Hiller the Shark Killer was amazing YET again (probably the MVP for the Ducks in the first round); Francois Beauchemin, the poor mans Scotty, who is insanely underrated; Scott Niedermayer himself, amazing as always; Ryan Getzlaf who is GOLD when he shoots the puck and provided a huge dominating physical presence last night. But my highlight? Mini says, with 14:00 minutes left in the 3rd period..."When are they (San Jose) going to pull him (Nabokov)?" I LOVE YOU MINI! It was classic- and man, I love her thinking! :)

Okay, something else that I have chosen to keep hidden from this first round. On Thursday morning I woke up stressing as always about the playoff game that night. For some reason, as I was waking from my restful slumber, I kept thinking we were playing DETROIT that night! I don't know why I kept thinking about Detroit, but for some reason I kept thinking we had a huge game against them that Thursday evening. When the Ducks managed to take care of business on Thursday night, I was feeling pretty good about my subconscious premonitions.

This playoff run is just getting started, but in terms of small victories...taking down the Presidents Trophy San Jose Sharks...that just feels DAMN GOOD doesn't it?!

I'll gladly eat my words any day of the week! Which is exactly why I don't talk about games beforehand. I'd rather not gloat that a team is going to win and eat THOSE words...I'd rather be a little more humble about it to begin with. Which brings me to this. The final match up against the Chicago Blackhawks (I know, you're thinking...we haven't played them in months...what is she talking about?...I'm getting to it), I did a little Q & A with the Committed Indian over at Second City Hockey. The final question was if I thought the Ducks would make the playoffs and if I thought it would be worth it. Here's that Q & A:

Are you guys gonna make the playoffs? Is there any point?

That's the million dollar question in Ducks land right now. Honestly, with how tight everything is in the West, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. The problem is we're all still waiting for this team to catch fire. With so few games left (especially for the Ducks), that fire better be now. Is there any point? Probably not. The Ducks have had serious issues with first place AND last place teams this season. I can't foresee them upsetting any of the top teams in the West.

I LOVE eating those words!

-----

Small exhale, as I begin to hold my breath for...ugh, do we have to talk about it already? Detroit.

Total side note. We have a friend who decided to tune in and watch some of the game. He sent my friend a text, "Who is that Miller? He's awesome!" we all laughed that he MUST have meant HILLER, but that it was a typo...sure enough about 20 minutes later he sent back..."OOPS, I meant HILLER, not MILLER." ...yea, okay, it was funny.

I saw this one the other day...and it made me think of both the Ducks and the Sharks in this first round. I wanted to make sure it was true though before I posted it...

"Losing streaks are funny. If you lose at the beginning, you get off to a bad start. If you lose in the middle of the season, you're in a slump. If you lose at the end, you're choking."
-Gene Mauch

GO DUCKS!!! OH! And Happy Birthday to my Mom!

It's not how you play the game...

It's whether you WIN OR LOSE!!!

Remember when you were five and your parents would tell you that it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's all how you play the game? That doesn't apply when you're making 5 million a year and you're playing for a professional hockey team in the NHL trying to win a Stanley Cup. That motto is irrelevant.

I don't care how you play, I don't care if you close you're eyes for the entire game...in the end, I care if you WIN OR LOSE. Tonight, you lost.

That's really all the post season comes down to.

Remember game 5 against Detroit in 2007? The Ducks, for all purposes, played AWFUL. They were terrible. They did NOT deserve to win that game...but a late goal by Scott Niedermayer with less than a minute to go sends the Ducks into overtime. Teemu Selanne roofs the OT winner...if you ask me...the Ducks win the cup with that one victory. That's right...a VICTORY. That's what the post season is all about. It doesn't matter that for 59 minutes the Ducks played like crap, what matters is that they found a way to win and they DID. It's all about the scoreboard at the end of 60+ minutes...not who had more SOG, not who made fancier passes, bigger hits, more penalties...it's all about the scoreboard. Moral victories and motivational moments mean NOTHING in the post season. There is no time to take that and grow on it...you have to play in the now and win this game...no matter how ugly it looks getting there.

Last night, the Ducks had the opportunity to turn that in their favor, and they failed. Because when it comes down to it, the scoreboard has the final say, the final word. The Ducks were on the wrong end of that word.

I had been thinking about this idea for the last few weeks. For all purposes, the Ducks have been the team who have found ways to get the win. When they managed to tie the game thanks to Ryan Carter and Corey Perry, I was thrilled. To see the way the game had been going up to that point, there was no way the Ducks deserved to win the game. But like I said...

It's not how you play the game...it's whether you WIN OR LOSE.

Plain and simple...the Ducks lost. It wont matter what they did well, or what they did poorly. They lost. It wont matter that the first two periods they played like crap, it wont matter that they turned it on in the third, and it doesn't matter that they had chances in the OT session. They lost.

We ALL know that these Ducks are better than what they showed the hockey world last night. In the same sense, we ALL know that the Sharks are just as good as they were last night, maybe better. But here's the kicker. This is all at square one again. That's right. We've heard it time and again from Randy Carlyle...10 minutes, then it's time to move on. MOVE ON. There is still a game 6 and even better it's in front of the Ducks' home crowd. Going back to San Jose is NOT an option!

The only thing I can even make positive about last night was one Jonas Hiller. There is NO WAY the Ducks would be where they are in this series without his services. I've seen a lot of people calling him lucky lately. That's crap. I hate that word, 'lucky'. To me, there is nothing about hockey that is lucky. This is a game of inches. This is a game of posts, bounces, wide shots, deflections and fanned passes. Nothing about any of that is 'luck'. Someone who faces 48 SOG is not lucky to see only 3 get past...he's good. He's damn good. He shouldn't be the only factor in a Ducks victory/loss and it was the only saving factor for the Ducks last night. They provided very little support on the defensive end, and for all purposes did nothing to help on the offensive end. Here's why...

This Ducks team has a tendency to get lazy and when they do, they STOP MOVING THEIR FEET! There is no way you can get to lose pucks, play physical hockey and move the puck well when you're NOT MOVING YOUR FEET! MOVE YOUR FEET! We saw what that did for the Ducks on Thursday...THEY saw what it did for their team on Thursday...WHY WOULD THEY STOP DOING THAT NOW?! Oh right, they got comfortable. That's crap! There is no time to be relaxed when you're playing against the best team in the league. I don't care if you're up in this series, if you can't close this one out...there is no point because you'll be done, you're gone!

As it is, I have a very hard time watching playoff hockey. Don't get me wrong, I love it...but I am always overly tense/anxious/nervous/panicked/sweating/freaking/shouting/stressing...and games like the one the Ducks played last night...they make all of those things a million times worse.

I am VERY aware that these Sharks are lethal. I am VERY aware that there is a chance they will come back in this series and make the Ducks pay for lazy play, soft penalties and ridiculously lame efforts. I hope everyone else is aware of this as well.

More importantly, there are 20+ guys on that Ducks roster who should be DAMN aware of this fact.

You don't have the time or space to play cute/lazy hockey. You worked your ass off for this post season, now go out there and remind the fans that you actually give a damn about doing something with it.

Yea, I'm pissed.

BUT I WILL ALWAYS SAY...

GO DUCKS!!!

I can see the reflection of a teal jersey on your face. Oh?! You're choking? YIKES!

WOW!

I'm speechless. Not just because I have no voice, but because I have missed this team! This team is gooooooooooood. These Ducks are gooooooooooood.

THESE DUCKS ARE DAMN GOOD!

This is the first time in a really REALLY long time that I've left the Honda Center...IMPRESSED! I was blown away by what I saw from these guys last night.

I honestly feel that this has been one of the best showings we've seen since...wow, dare I say...the 2007 finals?!

First off, the little things. I have a Ryan Carter jersey. Yea, I'll admit it...he's not necessarily my favorite player on the team...but he's my favorite. I have a jersey "routine", which is not important, but yesterday, I decided I was going to sport Carter. Good call SK! I'll be honest, I wasn't happy to see Petteri Nokelainen a healthy scratch, but on the other end, I was very happy to see Carter on the ice and playing his heart out. I just wanted to throw that out there.

THE DUCKS DEFENSE IS HOT!

Last night, there was at least one key/ HUGE play by each guy on the defensive core. Here's a great way to open this thought...

"That (Scott) Niedermayer makes it look easy," Roenick said. "He skates so well, it looks like he's not even trying. And he never gets tired." Roenick finally grinned. "He's a great player. I hate him." OC Register

Beautifully said Mr. Roenick. Scott Niedermayer had countless poke checks and one skate block shot in particular that was just typical Scotty, and I don't think it's necessary to say more about the future Hall of Famer than that. Ryan Whitney...this was probably the best game I've seen from him since the Ducks acquired him in the trade for Chris Kunitz. James Wisniewski who had numerous blocked shots last night, and one in particular with about 7 minutes to play in the third period allowing the Ducks to hold on tight to their 2-0 lead. Chris Pronger looked alive tonight for the first time this series, and of course, Francois Beauchemin, who I consider to be the "poor mans Scotty", doesn't look like he has missed a game this season.

I find it so ironic that for a whole SEASON I've been complaining and wondering where the defense was! Turns out, not only has it been found, but it's better than ever. And of course, how can you forget the Shark Killer himself, Jonas Hiller. This guy is just getting better! Standing tall and never breaking an emotional sweat, Hiller has instantly become a major factor for the Ducks. In a season where goaltending has been shaky from time to time, Hiller is showing the organization that there is plenty of heart and skill in his game. Posting two shutouts in his first 4 NHL playoff match ups, he's currently riding high in the playoffs with a .959 SV% and carrying so much of the weight on his shoulders as the Ducks muscle through the first round of this post season.

Even though the Ducks played a DOMINATING game (to put it mildly) they were still out shot by the Sharks. It really didn't feel that way. Other than their two power play opportunities, I never felt that the Sharks were threatening the Ducks all night. I can't believe I'm actually saying that.

To say I called this game...well, I called this game.

The first line was clearly unstoppable. Bobby Effin Ryan. BOBBY EFFIN RYAN! How UNBELIEVABLE is this guy?!?! BOBBY EFFIN RYAN! He's so smart and he's got such great hands and his shots are spot on! I was so worried that after the Ducks had all of that momentum and that HUGE delay while the glass was getting fixed, that they weren't going to be able to get that momentum back. Then, Bobby Effin Ryan showed up and there was no question that the Ducks were going to continue to dominate this game.

THE DUCKS DOMINATED THIS GAME.

It might be safe to say...there is no other line in the NHL right now that is as good as Bobby Effin Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. I don't think there is a question in my mind about that.

Penalties. There were so few...it must have been some sort of Anaheim record! I don't care if the Ducks never go on the PP, but to ensure that the Sharks never go on the PP, I'll take that any day! In fact, San Jose knows that a disciplined Ducks team will be their downfall. For a team who was so reliant on their Power Play during the regular season, it has shown that having an ALL AROUND game is so important to success. If the Ducks can play this same game, dicsiplined hockey, they are going to do well in future games. In fact, here is a very short conversation UJ and I had last night:

UJ: It's like there are twice as many Ducks out there tonight than there are Sharks.

SK: It's called hitting and getting to the loose puck.

How such a small act of physical play, where you move your feet, can completely re-write a season for just one team. Discipline and physical play...that makes this Anaheim team LETHAL!

San Jose has a slim chance to turn this series around...but don't get too over confident Ducks fans, it's still possible. I won't be calling this series over, until it's actually over. 91% of teams that take a 3-1 lead win the series...until the Ducks have won at 100%...I won't be able to relax. IF IF IF I get the opportunity to gloat about a series victory over San Jose, I'll quickly take another deep breath in preparation for Detroit.

I still can't believe that the Ducks have a 3-1 lead in this series...but you bet your ass...I've got NO complaints about it!

GO DUCKS!!!

No time for small victories

Let's face it, at this point being up 2-1 against the team who is for all purposes the best team in the league...it's not enough, but it's better than nothing.

The Ducks needed that game last night. It hurts to lose to the Sharks at this point in the post season...but to say I saw it coming...well, I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I couldn't imagine the Ducks were going to take two in San Jose...and the thought of sweeping the number 1 seed seemed even more unimaginable...but when it comes down to it...the Ducks are going to have to be a MUCH better team on Thursday to make it out of round 1 alive. (I'm planning on being more positive as this post goes on...I promise)

Sometimes I know what to say...yet finding the right words is often tricky. Good thing I have an amazing Swiss goalie to sum it up perfectly for me...

"We had a little more offensive zone time than the last few games, but I think they had a decent first period. They had a lot of shots. They are the best team in the league not just because they were lucky. They are very skilled over there. They are a good team. I think we can play better, and that’s what we’re going to do." - Jonas Hiller OC Register

I don't really think I could sum up last night any better than that.

The Ducks are just asking to give up 3 or 4 goals a game to a team that has a great Power Play unit. It was only a matter of time that the Sharks were going to figure out a way to break in, and they have done just that. It gives more pressure to the Ducks to play smart hockey, move their feet and move the puck well. There were so many times last night that I felt like the Ducks were WAITING for the puck to come to them. There is no time to wait in these games. No time and definitely no room for cute passes or sloppy plays.

By putting extra pressure on San Jose's attack, the Ducks were able to create many turnovers in their favor. With San Jose struggling to clear the puck in the third period, the Sharks slid a great little feed to Chris Pronger who jumped in on the play just in time to shoot a fireball into the net. It reminded me so much of Corey Perry's goal in the final minutes of game 5 against the Senators in the 2007 finals that I had to smile at the post season similarities. It's great that the Ducks were able to capitalize on the San Jose turn overs, but they are going to have to start creating scoring chances for themselves. They are going to need to work on getting the puck into the zone to allow for a successful set up. The Ducks have been having trouble getting quality control in their own zone and that is going to be a must in game 4.

I'd really like to see the Ducks play a little more aggressive on their own end. What happened to you Corey Perry? Have you forgotten your role on the team as "goaltenders worst nightmare"? I'd like to see some more aggressive movement around the net, get Nabokov on some shaky ground and pick up some dirty goals!

The game was very physical, far more so than in the previous two games. I don't think the Ducks were ready for that change in pace to the game. San Jose made good work of shutting down and wearing down both Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne. While it's physically more difficult to bring down someone like Ryan Getzlaf, they did managed to get under his skin enough to throw off his game. That is going to happen from time to time, and the only way to get past that is to rely on OTHER players! This is a team guys, remember that.

So who do I rely on? The forward defenseman that is Scott Niedermayer. He was all over the place last night....I wondered when he ever stepped off the ice. I can honestly say that when I watch Scotty play, I'm never disappointed. He was my first star of the night - by far.

I can't imagine that San Jose is going to let up now that they have found a way to win. In fact, I think this one win will only add fuel to their fire. Here's hoping that this Ducks loss will only add fuel to their fire as well.

This series is FAR from over. We've all been witness to the Ducks under pressure and scrutiny. We've all seen these Ducks come from behind and go far...and here's the best part...they're NOT behind. The Ducks are very much in this thing and have a lot of power and pride to take this series into their own hands.

Hold tight Ducks fans...this is going to be a bumpy ride!

GO DUCKS!!!

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!

Wins, Losses, Blue Line Tosses

Lets quickly cover some of the basics.

A HUGE thank you to Sammy Pahlssons' Chicago Blackhawks for defeating the Nashville Predators last night in a 4-2 win. Awesome! Bryz and his Yotes weren't so wonderful and the Ducks will just have to thank them in their own special way later this week. On a similar note, Dallas did not do their part to eliminate Minnesota either. So again, the Ducks will have to offer some friendly advice on how to do that as well. I'd also like to say just how freaking happy I am that Dallas has been eliminated already! Nothing puts a smile on my face like knowing the team who eliminated the Ducks last year are already GONE!

Also, Edmonton lost to the Kings (yea, I know...even the Kings helped the Ducks out, what's wrong with you Phoenix?!) and they are completely eliminated from the playoffs. SUCKAS!

Alright, so on to other GOOD GREAT stuff!!

The potential return of Francois Beauchemin (Beaucheboy as he's so lovingly referred to by Ducks in a Row) to the line-up as soon as Friday!

I love Beaucheboy. I've always considered him the poor mans Scotty. You can't afford a Scott Niedermayer offensive/defenseman? Get yourself a Francois Beauchemin. He's an affordable puck handler with wonderful speed and an amazing ability to see the play forming ahead of him. Just like Scotty, he's not afriad to jump into the play and take an offensive stand now and again. He's going to be valuable to the Power Play and for all purposes, it will mean having an experienced blue line once again.

So who does he replace? I say he takes the spot of Brendan Mikkelson. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he's a bad D man, but I think Sheldon Brookbank has more of the power that the Ducks need. He's a big guy with guts (again, did you SEE that black eye?). Suddenly, the Ducks have gone from employing an insanely inexperienced blue line, to having potentially three very VERY threatening walls of defense.

The return of Beauchemin can only be a positive to this group. He brings experience that the Ducks need. He's obviously well rested (and hopefully not too out of shape) and can bring an extra boost to the Ducks roster during this push into the playoffs (IF IF IF they make it). I don't fear that he will ruin or disturb any chemistry, I only imagine he will improve upon it.

I've really missed Beauch this year, however we all know that if he had never been hurt in the first place, we might have missed any chance of seeing Bobby Effin Ryan. Well, now we get them BOTH!

GO DUCKS!!! Hello Beauchemin!

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!!!

Blueline saves

I actually started laughing as I typed that headline.

JONAS HILLER! Dude...WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! SERIOUSLY!

We'll get back to that one.

So I was a bit unimpressed to start the game. I don't think the Ducks came out with the fire that I would like to see from them. I mean it wasn't as concerning against a team like Colorado...but the Ducks are just awful against bottom feeder teams, and I really didn't want to see them squander two points to these guys.

Corey Perry was on the receiving end of a turn over and netted the first goal of the game, which I gotta say...was absolutely beautiful. Talk about finding the top corner of the net and drilling it home. If I hadn't seen Ryan Getzlaf celebrate the way he did, I wouldn't have thought it hit the net. It was absolutely perfect. That guy has a killer shot. Even Getzlaf had a shot on net from the point in the 2nd (yea...I couldn't believe he took the shot either) that was a bullet. Damn, why doesn't that guy shot the puck more?! These two have such amazingly accurate shots...I'd just like to see more of them!

Bobby Effin Ryan...who's new name might be Effin B9. That kid has some fantastic hands doesn't he? That backhanded roofer was typical of the kid who was set up by a beautiful pass by Ryan Whitney. I'm glad I called for Effin B9 tonight...he deserved a big night here after a few hard working games. I'm really crossing my fingers he continues to score some goals and removes Dustin Penner's name from some of the Ducks books. Another great note about Ryan...he's now tied with Kris Versteeg for the most points by a rookie this season. Both forwards have 50 points, but Ryan has only played 58 games to Versteeg's 71. WOW! If he had been here for the same 71 games as Versteeg...Bobby Ryan would have been on pace for 61 points by now. The kid is just awesome. Oh, Ryan Getzlaf...he's got 81.

A little more about Whitney. We were talking about the new guys tonight, and I love them all. Whitney, who is probably at the bottom of my list...if I had to put them in some sort of preferred order...is a quality guy. I'd like to see him shot the puck more, but I have notice him getting involved in the plays more, kinda like Scott Niedermayer does. I like it.

Overall, it was a great offensive effort for the Ducks as 8 different guys collected a point tonight.

Okay...so now Hiller. This guy. THIS GUY! I'm still shaking my head over here.

Let it be known that I was officially crapping my pants as he made that VERY ballsy move. I have no idea what he was thinking...but here's a bit of what he had and Randy Carlyle had to say after the game to the OC Register...

“I thought I might make it, and once you decide to go, you have to go,” Hiller said. “You can’t back off or you’re totally lost. I was a little lucky. Prongs made a save for me. I might have to buy him dinner or something."

Hiller, if YOU don't buy Chris Pronger dinner...I'm going to buy him dinner. I jokingly said that it looked as though the Ducks played their best defense of the year on that play! See...all it takes is the threat of having no goalie and potentially losing ANOTHER game to one of the worst teams in the league!

The good news? Carlyle apparently wasn't very upset about it either...

“I think he made the right play,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. “He made a decision. Usually in those situations, you better go. You better get it — and he got it. There’s no criticism when you get it done.”

Oh do I hear that one. I had no complaints when it was all said and done...but the profanities were definitely flying DURING the play.

I hope we see Hiller in net for the remaining 6 games.

This game had way more excitement than I was expecting. Oh that Hiller.

On a side note...as of now, I will only be posting here on Ducks and Pucks.

GO DUCKS!!!

They can't all be Colorado

WOW, I wish the Ducks could play Colorado EVERY NIGHT!

That whole game was something else wasn't it?

I got so many Twitter messages last night where people were just in SHOCK of what they were seeing.

Okay, but lets be realistic. Colorado is just awful. They have a whole rosters worth of guys out with injuries...and if you thought the Ducks were suffering through the season with newbies...the Avalanche are really struggling with no one like Scott Niedermayer or Chris Pronger out there to back those young guys up.

Wow, did it show.

First off...fantastic goals for the newest members of the team, who in reality are starting to look like they've been there since day one. Erik Christensen, James Wisniewski and Petteri Nokelainen. Seeing those guys contribute the way they have been lately makes trade deadline drama seem not so terrible. What I'm loving about the new group is that they're fighters. They're here trying to prove themselves (hopefully for spots on next years roster) and are working hard to show their teammates and the Ducks fans that they're worth something. That hard work pays off huge! For instance, Nokelainen's goal (the Ducks' 7th goal of the night) came from hard work and hustle along the neutral zone boards. He fought for the puck, stayed with the play and ended up with a mini breakaway which resulted in his 3rd goal of the season. Now that he's had the sit down with Corey Perry about rushing the net, maybe it's time he has a sit down with Ryan Getzlaf on how to win battles along the boards. Couldn't hurt.

I felt bad for Colorado at first and then I remembered what happened to the Ducks with Atlanta...and yea, not the same entirely...but damn it felt good to cream someone for a change! Between the recent Phoenix game and this game last night, it sure makes the fact that the Ducks have two more against these teams all the better.

I said I wanted to see that top line looking hot. You look at the goal scorers and you say, hey Perry had two...that line must have been hot! NOT! Both of Perry's goals came with the PP unit on the ice. I can't complain with the fact that the top line didn't shine and the big names didn't get points (nothing for Ryan Getzlaf, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Bobby Ryan), but whatever...I'll take seven Ducks goals ANY DAY!

And again, Jonas Hiller was solid. He had his work cut out for him in the end as Colorado got 27 SOG in the final two periods of play. Clearly out shooting Anaheim in a desperation attempt to get back into the game. Randy Carlyle definitely did the gentleman thing in not making the scoreboard worse. Allowing the guys like Todd Marchant, George Parros and Mike Brown get in some more ice time, Carlyle took the focus off of trying to score and simply went with a defensive outlook for much of the third. Classy if you ask me. In addition, it allowed the big D men, Niedermayer and Pronger, to get some rest and play far fewer minutes than they have been averaging lately.

5 straight wins is nothing to brag about when it comes against teams like Phoenix (twice) and Colorado. But when you're in desperation-playoff-hunt like the Ducks are right now, 10 points is nothing to be upset about!

In the mean time...

GO DUCKS!!!

I think I've seen that one before

Deja vu?

3 on 3 in overtime...Scott Niedermayer winning the game...Todd Marchant mobbing him behind the net...the team dog pile...Scotty skating away as if the Ducks win games like that every night.

CRAZY!

One thing is for sure...Roberto Luongo must really hate Scott Niedermayer's OT heroics. I for one, LOVE them!

I can't say that the Ducks played a great game. I don't think they did. However, the crowd was into the game last night. Whether it was boo-ing some questionable calls (ie Getzlaf's interference...which I don't think would have been called if it was ANY OTHER TEAM. Weak call in my opinion), cheering for ALL goals, including those recalled...the crowd definitely offered support. Ironically the video board introduction before the game was encouraging the fans to get pumped up as well. GOOD! I'm glad that message is being made loud and clear to the fans. It's important and a big part of the reason that I LOVE being there. I am once again without a voice...and that's how I like it. I know it's hard to get involved in the game when there isn't anything to cheer about, but last night was a different story on many levels.

Goal tending. Jonas Hiller was outstanding last night. I find that I say that about him more often than I do JS Giguere these days. Again, I still think Hiller needs to hide his disappointment a little better, but his rebound control was fantastic last night and he just seemed to soak up all shots thrown at him. No sloppy seconds there. Seeing Hiller flip, spin, grab...he did it all to make some huge saves last night. At one point in the last few minutes of the game, he had what was by far the save of the night. Many good scoring chances for Vancouver were turned away by Hiller and he definitely did a majority of the work when it came to helping the Ducks pull out the win.

The new guys are looking fantastic! Petteri Nokelainen gets a goal, Ryan Whitney and Erik Christensen both get 2 assists apiece (minus their 2 recalled goals of course). Hopefully this is a spark for not only those 3 guys, but for the team as well. Great contribution by the newbies...I'm going to have to start working on some nicknames. Any ideas? Big concern was hearing that James Wisniewski left the game during the second period. I feel guilty for not noticing while I was at the game, I'm usually very aware of that. Anyway...I'll keep my eyes peeled about updated information regarding him.

Another huge factor was capitalizing on rebounds. Both Ryan Getzlaf and Nokelainen scored goals off of rebound opportunities. So many times in the last few games I've felt like I see opportunities, but no one is in front of the net to pick up the loose change (dimes I'm sure...you know what I'm talking about el toro).

In the end...it all comes down to this...a win, 2 points, some momentum, continued hope for the post season.

It will be interesting to see if the Ducks can take the momentum of a very big win against a very good team with them into Sunday's game.

Until then...

GO DUCKS!!!

Eye didn't think it would be like that!

There was so much to yesterday's game that I kinda don't know where to begin.

Lets just say this. The Ducks really know how to gets one's emotions going. It was so great to see them playing so solid during the first 20 minutes. They looked good. I felt good about the game.

But wait! This is the 08-09 team we're talking about. They're bound to come back out onto the ice and feel like they have everything under control and take themselves a little break. And they did. And it was ugly. That Mike Ribeiro...he's got the Ducks number. It seems like every time they play Dallas, that guy just kills the Ducks. He definitely didn't help them win today, that's for sure.

Somehow though, the Ducks managed to pull through. Corey Perry tied it up with an interesting wrap around when he beat his ultimate foe, Marty Turco, and then practically celebrated the goal in his face, priceless! More impressive was Andrew Ebbett playing solid defense causing Dallas to turn over the puck. Ebbett sends the puck to Teemu Selanne right in Turco's kitchen and the Ducks find themselves in that 4-3 position.

Then the clock took forever!!

An extremely positive note was JS Giguere. He was solid Jiggy style there in the last 5 minutes or so when the Ducks were playing scrambled egg defense. He made some HUGE stops once Turco was pulled and even provoked a bit of a fight between Travis Moen and Steve Ott at the end of regulation. There is ALOT of interesting stuff going on right now regarding this fight.



You're going to have to do some decision making on your own. Here's what's going on...

He was pretty aggressive with Scott Niedermayer there at the end of the game. One thing to take note of is that is NO ONE is allowed to mess with Scotty, plain and simple. I don't care who's on the ice when that happens, someone is going to step in and take care of it. Well in this case, Jiggy saw it, and Jiggy tried to be the one to stop it. He was rough with Ott and Jiggy was given a 2 minute roughing penalty for it (big woop, game was over). Scotty turned around to take care of his own business and that's when Moen stepped in. Now here's the tricky part. Ott isn't allowed to fight because he's got a broken hand, wrist, finger, whatever...therefore he's wearing a cast and not allowed to fight with the cast on. So basically Ott gets pummeled by Moen. In his own self defense, Ott apparently tried to gouge Moens eye. Accident or not, the league considers something like that to be "intent to harm" and it's going to cause Ott to be suspended. His hearing is on Monday. I'm hoping he gets a few games because the Ducks have to play them again on Friday, and it would be nice to have him out of the lineup.

Speaking of Dallas...Kuni and his Penguins are in town tomorrow, and it will be a GREAT thing for his former team if Pittsburgh wins. Keeping Dallas down right now is VERY helpful to the trying-so-desperately-to-make-the-playoffs Ducks.

The Rumor mills are churning like crazy. Of course alot (most ALL) of the talk is surrounding Chris Pronger. I would lead you to such sites, but I don't want to. haha, I'm a firm believer of, I'll believe it when I see it (apparently I'm like a 4 year old child today too).

Did anyone see the bashing that Detroit got from Nashville? I mean, that doesn't help the Ducks out too much...but I'm just glad that their 8-0 beating looks way worse than the Ducks' 6-0 loss to the Bruins, and the 8-4 loss to Atlanta and the first 4 games of the season...yea this could just go on and on.

Anyway, one game left on this road trip so...

GO DUCKS!!!

They've done something well...

The Ducks win a game -- finally, right?

I watched the games in two parts...the 1st period live and the 2nd and 3rd via TiVo this morning.

Here were some thoughts...

Who gave these guys a swift kick in the pants because they were VERY ferocious out there for a change. I can't recall the last time I watched a game and didn't feel the urge to yell...MOVE YOUR FEET!

JS Giguere -- clearly not your puck handling goaltender. There were a couple of flounders there in the 2nd. It was a good thing I already knew the score and didn't find myself freaking out about it...but still...just stay in your crease buddy, I don't need a heart attack at 26.

Someone I enjoyed watching was Mike Brown. That guy has some speed and he's feisty like Chris Kunitz. In fact a couple of times I thought it WAS Kunitz, until I saw the 3 on his back.

Turning point of the game? Corey Perry's goal in the 2nd period...add Kunitz's goal in there too. After having killed ALL those penalties, both of those fire powered goals really managed to give the Ducks a spark.

One thing that can be said about the game was that the Ducks' PK was clearly on fire. Taking SO MANY penalties, it's VERY hard to win games when they are so often short handed. Duh right? Well it seems as though the Ducks are concerned about it and have taken to some investigating this current trend where the Ducks are being penalized so much more than everyone else.

Oh, and I'd prefer it if Ryan Getzlaf stopped blocking shots...watching him hobble off to the locker room makes me queasy.

Okay, so the Ducks win 1 here on the road...I'll just leave it at that.

Let's talk trade issues. GM Bob Murray basically sets some rumors straight, Randy Carlyle is last on the list of people to be moved from the Ducks' organization. So those of you in favor of a coaching move, don't hold your breath (::exhale::). The only other interesting thing that he said was this...

"He has a big decision to make this summer, not only for the Ducks, but the Olympics next year. I know Team Canada wants him, he's a leader, it's in Vancouver. I mean, it's going to be tough for him to say no, but he hasn't said a word. I've talked to him and I think Scott will be straight with me, we wont go through this long drawn out process, I think he'll be straight with me right off the bat when the season is over."

Basically, Scott Niedermayer has a decision to make for himself this upcoming off season. He has a decision to make about the DUCKS and the Olympics. Sounds to me like he doesn't intend on moving Scotty if he thinks this off season decision is going to affect the Ducks.

In the end...I'm glad my predictions for the Blue Jackets were WAY off!

GO DUCKS!!!

3 on 3...new to me!

--Updated--

Teemu Selanne is the ultimate Duck. I love that. Here's a chick moment for you...I teared up.

Tonight was an interesting one. I don't know if it was because I was so tired and couldn't focus, but it was just hard to concentrate on the game.

The Ducks looked strong. They played well, but had a hard time getting past Miikka Kiprusoff. Miikka...what an unfortunate name don't ya think? HAHA, yea that was for you Mini!

I was happy to see Andrew Ebbett Playing along side Teemu Selanne and Bobby Ryan there for a bit...well, mostly just glad to see Brendan Morrison not on that line for most of the game. Then the guy goes and scores a goal to tie the game. Here's an off timing prediction for ya...that was his only good play for the month of February. Sorry, I just can't get on board the Morrison train. Good thing February is a short month.

After Ryan Getzlaf took the puck off what looked like the inside of his knee and left the game only to return a few minutes later...I sent a text to my friends saying that guy sure knows how to expose a fans emotions. I cringe when I see that guy go down (this wasn't the first time this season he's taken a crazy shot) and then feel my body relax immediately when I see him on the ice again. Don't get me wrong, I cringe when any of the Ducks go down, but seeing the guy who's likely considered the best player on the team go down like a ton of bricks is not comforting. The team is struggling enough with him ON the ice, I'd rather not imagine the team without him.

The refs missed a big call there at the end of the 2nd. I already don't like Dion Phaneuf, but I really don't like him after that high hit on Ebbett. High hit + Elbow = Suspension. Chris Pronger would be suspended...we ALL know that. I EXPECT one tomorrow for Phaneuf. Don't agree?
--Updated--
I just read this on the OC Register website, and now I'm even more fired up.

Calgary coach Mike Keenan didn’t quite see it that way, or at all. Asked if he expected the league to review the incident,Keenan said, “Oh, no … Body checking was legal the last time I checked."OC Register

Double Standards? We'll see.

JS Giguere stepped it up tonight. He got lucky a few times, but for the most part, he's starting to tear down that wall that was plaguing him and hopefully will be rebuilding one inside himself (yea, that was corny - whatever.)

So clearly the highlight of the night was Scott Niedermayer reminding us all why we LOVE Scotty Niedermayer. I have to admit though, I missed his OT winner AND Morrisons goal. Part of that whole being half asleep thing (and here's where I endorse the fabulousness that is Tivo). Anyway, that was my first experience with 3 on 3 hockey (looked like it was the Ducks first experience too). I was glad to see it only lasted about a minute!

Anyway, if the Ducks can continue strong play like this...there would be no reason to continue ridiculous trade talks. Hopeful wishing?

A few more days off for the Ducks allowing teams to play catch up. The good news for tonight? Dallas lost, bad news...it was to Phoenix. The rest is not good either. Edmonton killed it tonight with a 7-2 win over Montreal and Minnesota beat Colorado.

Get some rest boys...you'll need to bring it on Sunday!

GO DUCKS!!!