NOT AGAIN?!

It’s awfully hard to get writing after a loss. Probably because there’s so much more to criticize after loss than a win. I usually like to write as I watch or I go back over the game that I have tivo-ed…ugh, I really wasn’t looking forward to having to do that this time, but I did it anyway.

The Ducks looked like they were skating in mud. They were out of position and all too often unable to get set up in their offensive zone. They looked tired and almost like they got together before the beginning of the game and said…"hey, we’re going to lose eventually…let’s just go out and let them man handle us tonight." They did. My only request was to see hits and Ryan Getzlaf take more than 2 shots. Well, Getz took 3 shots (oh boy) and there were hits alright…just not ones by the Ducks (except for the smash that Chris Kunitz put on Sean Avery…even though he had it coming. Oh and the one from Todd Marchant and Ryan Carter that caused a need for the glass to be repaired...okay, so there were a few.)!

The Ducks' power play was absent, except for one goal. The Stars came into the game 1-16 in previous Power Play opportunities…and scored on their first and second opportunity. Those goals lead Mark Parrish to his first goals…excuse me...HAT TRICK of the season in his FIRST GAME of the season with the Stars. LOVELY!

I really think Marty Turco got a lot of lucky chances. That guy flails around as if he has NO control over his body (kinda like he’s taken goal tending lessons from Dominik Hasek). It was definitely a game where bounces weren’t in the Ducks favor and it seems like when that happens, frustration sets in and then so do the penalties. The penalty kill had to work so much harder seeing guys constantly head off to the box. The frustration hit everyone, Corey Perry for one, met the box twice in the 3rd period, Samuel Pahlsson paid a visit out of frustration after giving Mike Modano a pleasant push to the back of the head (he’s had 3 penalties in the last 2 games…rare for that guy) and Steve Ott even managed to frustrate Chris Pronger into taking 2 minuets. Although, now that I think about it…Prongs hasn’t been visiting the box too often this season having only served 20 PIM (last season he had 128 PIM…now that I’ve mentioned it of course...).

The highlights of the game?
Teemu Selanne broke the tie he once shared with Paul Kariya to now be the all time Ducks leader in assists (370). Fantastic. I love seeing Selanne at the top of any Ducks list. In addition, Getzlaf, Pronger and Selanne were all able to extend their point streaks (9, 6, 9). More importantly Brendan Morrison finally got his first goal as a Duck. Let’s just hope this was his dentist visit and things will only get better for him here on out.

So tonight…the Florida Panthers (4-8-1; last in the league with only 9 points). I don’t have much to say about this except…they lost to the Kings a few nights ago…the Ducks SHOULD be able to mop the floor with them right?

Go Ducks! Let’s see something better than what we witnessed on Friday okay?

OH!! Visit Battle of California and support the "Re-Sign Sammy Pahlsson" Campaign.