Game 60: Ducks vs. Oilers 2.10.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net

Game 59: Ducks vs. Kings 2.8.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net






OPINION:
Finally the Ducks get to play the Kings after getting rest instead of on the tail end of back to backs. And FINALLY they beat them. The Kings were first to score, but the Ducks were the ones to score more often. They controlled most of the game even after taking the blow of losing Getzlaf in the early minutes of the 2nd period to an ankle sprain. Perry usually seems lost without Getzlaf around but tonight he stepped it up and handled the loss quite well. Hiller stood on his head in the 3rd period where the Kings tried their best to tie the game up but couldn't get any past a strong Hiller. Sometimes it's nice to be able to get payback so soon after a loss to the same team. Okay who am I fooling? Did I say sometimes? I meant it's always nice. And while LA was looking (hoping) for 10 in a row, the Ducks were also looking for 10 in a row at home. They got to bring LA's win streak to an end and continue their home game win streak. Now, if only they could figure out how to be so dominant on the road. Then we fans wouldn't be so worried about a playoff spot.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"When you’re at home, you need to go out and make the place a war zone out there," said Corey Perry, who had a goal and two assists. "It should be hard place for the other team to come in and play."

"We didn’t have a great game up there in L.A. the other night," Perry said. "We had a couple of days off. We rested and skated yesterday. We were full of energy and wanted to prove that we can play with top teams."

"We knew we had to play better than the last game," Hiller said, noting the four days without games after that loss in L.A. "We had a lot of energy. Those three days without a game were definitely good for us. We tried to put pressure on them and not let them get in the game."

"We know we have to win as many as possible," Hiller said. "For us right now, the goal is the playoffs."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Saku Koivu(notes) #11 and Teemu Selanne(notes) #8 of the Anaheim Ducks skate by the bench to celebrate Koivu's second period goal against the Los Angeles Kings during their NHL game at the Honda Center on February 8, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Game 58: Ducks @ Kings 2.4.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net






OPINION:
Gotta hand it to those Kings. They are, begrudgingly, a good team. I also have to hand it to the Ducks who did their best to hang in there. They went into the 3rd down by 2 goals, the Kings scored almost right away in the 3rd to make their deficit to 3 goals, and they came back and tied it up. That was about all they could manage though because the Kings didn't panic at that and grabbed 2 more goals. It wasn't the best of games for Jonas Hiller, but he had a pretty good game in spite of being in back to back and facing the Red Wings the night before. It baffles me that all 3 games played in L.A. are the 2nd in back to back games while L.A. has the fresh legs for them. I hate the schedule makers for that. The Ducks face them AGAIN on Monday, only this time it'll be at home in Anaheim and after 3 days of rest. For the love of hockey I just want them to win. L.A. is 3-0 against us this season and it makes me sick to my stomach.

POST GAME QUOTES:
“We can’t win hockey games giving up six goals. It’s as simple as that,” coach Randy Carlyle said. “We worked hard, but we just seemed like we ran out of gas at the end. That’s the sign of a tired group. We came off a 13-day road trip and played last night against Detroit and then came in here.”

“We just seemed to have moments where we didn’t play the way we needed to and we made mistakes with the puck,” Anaheim captain Scott Niedermayer said. “The Kings probably felt that they did, too, but not as many as us—and that was the difference.”

Source for Quotes: Yahoo! Sports

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 04: Jason Blake #33 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates after scoring a goal against Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings during the period of the NHL hockey game on February 4, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Game 57: Ducks vs. Wings 2.3.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net






OPINION:
The Ducks didn't waste any time setting the tone for this game. While the Wings fan behind me was yelling for his team to "put it in the net" the Ducks just so happened to listen to him. It went in the net, for the good guys. The first period was just an all around solid effort. The second period was a little chippy, a little more sloppy, which is par for the course but they also grabbed a goal in that period too, unfortunately so did the Wings, which snapped Hiller's shutout streak. Which is fine, you can't expect a shutout every game, that's just crazy talk. It was the only goal Hiller (the "insert any other team here" Killer) would allow and the Ducks cruised to the 3-1 victory. It might also have helped that Detroit was on the 2nd end of a back to back and had to play the Sharks last night, but that's up to them to make the excuses, I don't really care. The 2 points grabbed tonight got the Ducks within 3 of the coveted 8th spot that it feels like everyone is in a battle for... and if they win tomorrow they could be within 1 precious point. The team that gets to play part in this decision is unfortunately one that would love nothing more than to spoil these hopes. The LA Kings are the Ducks' next opponent x2. The Ducks are 0-2 against them, so let's just hope for the best tomorrow and that the Ducks snap that record. And then hope that on Monday they even it up at 2-2.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"It’s fun to play if you get a lot of shots, but it’s also a little tiring," Hiller said. "We found a way to win tonight."

"They are a great team no matter where they are at in the standings," said forward Jason Blake, playing his second game with the Ducks after coming over in a trade that sent J.S. Giguere to Toronto. "They always seem to be in the thick of things all year long. It was a great night by our goaltender. He played outstanding. It was a great team effort. That is all you can ask for."

"We had a good start and that gave us a lot of confidence," Hiller said.

"We gave ourselves a good start and built on that," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "We did a lot of things that we needed to. It’s all about getting points right now. We understand the situation we’re in. We’re looking up at a few teams. We’d like to climb into that other group to give ourselves a chance."

"The whole team is playing really well defensively,: Hiller said. "Even if I have rebounds, we’re clearing them. Everybody is fighting hard, blocking shots and doing everything back there. I hope we can keep it on ... We have another really important coming up tomorrow."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Kyle Chipchura #28 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his goal with teammates Todd Marchant #22, Steve Eminger #7 and Troy Bodie #50 for a 2-0 lead against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at the Honda Center on February 3, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Game 56: Ducks @ Panthers 2.1.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net






OPINION:
Hard to have an opinion on a game that you couldn't see happening. Thanks to Versus and their "exclusive window" on Monday nights, the Ducks/Panthers game wasn't allowed to be televised. This doesn't include Canadian teams, so while there were 4 games last night-- the Penguins game on Versus (as the NHL continues to shove the Pens and Crosby down everyone's throat), and two games that contained Canadian teams, and then the Ducks/Panthers game, the Ducks and Panthers fans were the only ones who got screwed on the Versus exclusive window deal.

We got the lovely radio. I have nothing against our radio broadcasters, they're good. I just have beef with the radio. Hockey has to be one of the hardest games to follow through a radio. So from what it SOUNDED like, the Ducks put forth a solid game. They played the full 60 minutes. The Getzlaf goal was a thing of beauty. Teemu's goal that came with 1/2 a second left in the 2nd period was indeed over the line with half a second left, and Hiller stood on his head to earn his 2nd shutout of the season.


POST GAME QUOTES:
"I felt good out there," Hiller said. "I had good legs and I felt comfortable. I think we did a real good job with penalty kill. They had a lot of chances."

"I thought we played more of the type of hockey that's going to be required in the last two games, both here and Tampa," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said. "We have to play tight, have to grind the type of hockey that is required to have success, if we can get a little more offense."

"He did what he had to do," Carlyle said of Hiller. "He wasn't called upon to make a lot of big stops, but the defense buckled down for him in the third period."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 1: Goaltender Jonas Hiller #1 of the Anaheim Ducks drops his stick but makes a save with his blocker against the Florida Panthers on February 1, 2010 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Ducks defeated the Panthers 3-0. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

And in the end, it's a business.

In short: Giguere has been traded to Toronto for Toskala and Blake. The rookie with all the heart and passion this season has seen, Dan Sexton, got sent down. And yesterday Hiller got a 4 year contract worth 18 million. (This part was posted yesterday, 1.31.10... the following was updated today 2.1.10...)

I took time to collect my thoughts on the Giguere trade because in the words of Adam Brady "it was like a bolt of lightning-- you could see it coming from a mile away, but it still surprises you." I was expecting him to be moved after the team re-signed Hiller to 4 years. I just wasn't expecting it to be the very next day. I feel as though I wont be able to put things into the proper words that are deserved, but I'm going to try...

I've been a Ducks fan since 1997-98. That means that aside from Guy Hebert, J.S. Giguere has been the only #1 goalie I have known. He's been, by far, the best Ducks goalie to ever don the uniform. And just like that, the NHL reminds you why you should never be so quite attached to a single player. In an instant they can be on a completely different team, in a completely different country, on the complete opposite coast.

Ducks fans will remember him for being the sole reason the Ducks came within 1 game of the Stanley Cup in 2003. They will remember how heart breaking yet satisfying it was to see him win the Conn Smythe trophy that year. That image is engraved in my brain. They'll remember him throwing his gloves off like he couldn't get them off fast enough in 2007 as the clock wound down and the Ducks became the Stanley Cup Champions. And they'll remember him for making the Ducks who they were for 10 solid years.

I wish Jiggy nothing but the best in his new adventure in Toronto. He's back with his goalie coach Allaire, and he's back under Burke's wing. I hope Toronto fans get to know him for his dedication and passion to the game. I hope they understand soon what they got. I hope they learn to love him. Trades always bring a fan back to reality -- it's a business. And in this business, some shoes..or skates... are harder to fill than others.

So long, Giguere! I hope to someday see you retire your number here in Anaheim. Raise 35 to the rafters. Thank You, for the memories. Thank You, for everything.

Game 55: Ducks @ Lightning 12.29.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net





OPINION:
For a game that was "pull your hair out, strand by strand" boring, it sure did get a little interesting at the end. Tampa Bay is a team that should be beaten with ease, but knowing the Ducks, they can never make their nights that easy. They had to bring Tampa to OT and a shootout, just to spice things up. They're never one to shy away from the dramatics. And who other than Wisniewski to save the day, again?! He's the new Anaheim shootout Guru. He was also the only one to have a goal for the Ducks in regulation too. Who would have known it? I'm glad he's being so clutch recently because I like him and he's been starting to get some flack for not producing. Well, he's producing now-- and in key moments.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"Miracles happen," injured Anaheim right wing Teemu Selanne said while Wisniewski talked with reporters.

"Thanks Teemu," Wisniewski responded. "I would say something else, but you have 595 goals."

"We might have to stick with him," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "The guy won the last one for us, so if it's not broken, don't try and fix it."

"Both teams were playing pretty solid in the defensive zone," Hiller said. "It's fun to play that way. As a goalie, you'd rather have a 1-1 game than like a 7-7 game."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski (34) fires the game-winner past Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Antero Nittymaki during a shoot out in an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 in Tampa, Fla.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

Game 54: Ducks @ Capitals 1.27.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net






OPINION:
Well they hung in there better than I expected them to. It was really close, they kept it at a 1 goal game, which is astonishing because it's Ovechkin's team. AND THEN... the 3rd period happened. And then things started to look like I had expected them to look. There's a clear cut reason why the Caps are 1st in the East... they're good. And there is a reason why the Ducks are on the outside looking in, in the West. They're just not cutting it. They get so close to a playoff spot only to piss it away (excuse the poor language, it just fits better). Will they make the playoffs? I think they could pull it off. I do. I'll stand behind my team and believe they can pull it off. They did last year. They've made the playoffs every year since the lockout. They can make it in. But if they have any hopes of doing so they need to get their road games in serious check. They wont do it if they keep failing on the road! That's just a pure fact. They need to win the games that are winnable, and they need to win games that are tough calls. They need to WIN. And they need to do it soon, and a lot.


POST GAME QUOTES:
"It's a little frustrating, because after that first goal in the period, it seemed like we just went flat. It felt like everybody just kind of quit," Giguere said. "We were still in it. It was an unfortunate bounce off Steve's skate, but these things are going to happen. It would have been important for us to come back and re-establish ourselves after that goal. But for some reason we didn't seem to have the energy anymore to fight it off."

"They're very comfortable playing the game the way they played it tonight," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said. "That's their game. And they played it to a T."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks right wing Bobby Ryan (9) is tripped up by Washington Capitals center Boyd Gordon (15) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, in Washington.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

Game 53: Ducks @ Thrashers 1.26.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net






OPINION:
They are not doing themselves any favors when they play down to the bad teams! But that's what they did tonight, a thing they tend to like to do. I don't understand it, I'm sure you don't understand it, but they do it. Then they have to face the capitals tomorrow?! Ovie's team? Lord help them. All I can hope for in that one is for Hiller or Giguere (you never know with RC) to not get lit up like a Christmas tree... Christmas is over!


POST GAME QUOTES:
"I definitely knew where I wanted to go before I got it," Getzlaf said. "I got a good shot that unfortunately hit the outside of the post instead of the inside."

"Our first power play we had seven or eight shots," Bobby Ryan said. "We lost momentum. Everybody was trying to do too much."

"He played well enough to keep us in the game," Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf said. "It's frustrating. Maybe we over-handled the puck a little bit."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

ATLANTA - JANUARY 26: Goaltender Johan Hedberg #1 of the Atlanta Thrashers saves a shot on goal in front of Saku Koivu #11 of the Anaheim Ducks at Philips Arena on January 26, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Game 52: Ducks @ Blues 1.23.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net





OPINION:
The TV shared a piece of info before the game started. The Ducks are bad on the road. Ducks fans know this. But they were 2-7-0 on the road in the last 9 road games. I thought about it, and those 2 wins were when Selanne was in the lineup. So you'll understand why things looked dreary when the Ducks went down 3-0 in the 3rd period. I'll admit it, I wanted badly to change the channel and turn the game off. But out of all honesty I had a thought before hitting the clicker... "what if the Ducks had a comeback and I missed it because I couldn't stick with them through the full 60 minutes" .. that thought is what prevented me from changing the channel, and right after that thought, Niedermayer scored off a sweet pass from Perry. Alright so it was 3-1... still a grim outlook with 13 minutes left... From my experience, that's more than enough time to get 2 more, but could the Ducks pull it off? The answer is obviously yes if you caught a look at the final score before reading this. They could and they did. Bobby Ryan was the man of the hour getting in 2 goals. His 2nd coming with literally just seconds left on the clock with the extra man advantage as Hiller was on the bench. The shootout went to a staggering 7 rounds and who other than James Wisniewski to steal the win? Yep. Wiz was the 7th shooter for the Ducks. Perry scored, Getzlaf scored -- Ryan, Sexton, Beleskey, and Artyukhin couldn't convert -- and then came Wiz to win the game. Impressive comeback win doesn't seem to adequately explain it. St. Louis should be checking their wallets and their purses, because they just got robbed.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"He's (Wisniewski) a confident guy and those situations don't rattle him," Carlyle said. "He made a hell of a move."

"I said, 'Give a defenseman a try,"' Wisniewski recalled. "We never get an opportunity. When I saw it go in, it was a pretty good feeling."

"It was a surprise pick to me," said Ryan, who leads U.S.-born players with 24 goals. "We play breakaway games every day (in practice) and he's always one of the guys that scores."

"This was monumental," Ryan said. "It was like a playoff game. This shows that we're a very resilient team, able to bounce back in the face of almost everything."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks' James Wisniewski celebrates after teammate Bobby Ryan scored to tie the game 3-3 during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, in St. Louis. Wisniewski ended up scoring the game-winning goal in a shootout to defeat the Blues 4-3.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)