OPINION:
The game started off with some high energy and showing that there's no love lost between these two teams. Dorsett made a boneheaded move of boarding Perry into the boards and got himself a 5 minute vacation in the penalty box. While he was on that "vacation" the Ducks took advantage and scored two very quick, very straight to the point goals. Of course, Columbus is the team with Nash, and since we've already shut them out this year he was due to score, so he did. Eventually the Ducks had their favorite two goal lead 3-1 and I think we know what happens next. Columbus scores to make it 3-2 and the Ducks fans watching around the globe began wondering when they'll tie the game for overtime. ALAS, by some miracle, they didn't tie the game and the Ducks win! Now how's that for keeping you on your toes?
Now let me gloss over what a success January was. The Ducks finished January 8-3-0. The finished this recent road trip 3-1-0, and although the wins weren't by any means fantastic, they were wins. Am I the only one excited to see how much better we will be once Getzlaf gets back into action? Sure, we've been winning without him... but with him... we might not have these nail biting 3rd periods. Just think of the possibilities. Dare to dream.
POST GAME QUOTES:
"Obviously, we've played a lot of hockey," Selanne said. "I always think the break is good, but the team has played well lately. Even those nights when we haven't played that well we've still found a way to win the games. That's a sign of a good team."
"We've played a lot of hockey so far so we definitely could use that break," Hiller said. "Some guys, especially on this trip, have been playing lots of minutes. On the other hand, we're feeling it right now."
"We gave them some chances to come back but we found a way to win," said Hiller, who shut the door down the stretch.
"That's what's required to qualify for the playoffs," [Carlyle] said. "If you look at the success we've had and the points that we've been able to earn, it hasn't really given us any breathing room with that record. It's tight and it's going to be tight. It's going to be a dogfight every game."
"The guys put it on the line," Carlyle said. "Our guys have worked extremely hard to get themselves into the position we're in. We're having some fun right now winning some hockey games and we're winning them different ways."
GAME NOTES:
Selanne, one shy of becoming the sixth player in league history with 100 game-winning goals, has 35 points in 32 games against Columbus. ... Clitsome has been on the ice for six of Columbus' seven power-play goals since he was recalled Jan. 9 to run the point. ... Nash has an eight-game points streak (five goals, six assists). ... Anaheim wrapped up a 3-1-0 road trip. ... Columbus scored multiple power-play goals (2 for 5) for the first time this season. ... The Ducks are 19-0-2 when leading after two periods.
Source for Quotes & Game Day Notes: ducks.nhl.com
Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller, center, of the Czech Republic, catches a shot by Columbus Blue Jackets' Derick Dorsett, obscured, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. Anaheim won 3-2.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)
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