Game 11: Ducks @ Blue Jackets 10.30.11

Game 10: Ducks @ Predators 10.29.11

Game 9: Ducks @ Wild 10.27.11

Game 8: Ducks @ Blackhawks 10.25.11

Game 7: Ducks vs. Coyotes 10.23.11

Game 6: Ducks vs. Stars 10.21.11

Game 5: Ducks @ Sharks 10.17.11

Blake Out 3 Months

via ducks.nhl.com

Ducks left winger Jason Blake suffered a deep laceration just above his left wrist last night vs. San Jose. Blake was cut by a skate halfway through the third period of a 1-0 win over the Sharks in the home opener at Honda Center.

He was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center for sutures and evaluation (was released from the hospital this morning). Blake was diagnosed with tendon damage, which will require corrective surgery on Monday at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles (performed by Dr. David Hay).

Blake is expected to make a full recovery and return to play in approximately three months.

"Jason is resting at home and doing very well," said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. "This was an unfortunate, freak accident, but we are pleased to hear that Jason is expected to make a full and complete recovery. He's a real character person and teammate, and we look forward to having him back in our lineup when he's ready."

Game 3: Ducks vs. Sharks 10.14.11 HOME OPENER

OPINION:
So here's the deal. Every year since the Sharks decided to be a relevant team their fans have loaded up busloads and driven down to Anaheim to "invade" our building. They do a damn good job with invasions, I tip my hat to them for pulling it off without fail every year. This year, they had prime opportunity to invade and take over our home opener. Let's be honest hear, Sharks fans salivated at the thought of taking complete control over the Ducks home opener (they're a little obsessed sometimes, I dig it, I like diehard fans, I can accept it). The best moments of these invasions is when the Ducks have their own fun and keep the Sharks fans quiet the whole game by shutting the Sharks out. This happened last season and a favorite of mine, Joffrey Lupul (Now with the Maple Leafs) later took to twitter to tweet"That's a long way to drive to not see any goals #drivesafe." and he was pretty proud of himself when I had told him that was the best tweet ever. It holds true. Drive safe Sharks fans, because tonight, you drowned in the Ducks pond.

The game itself was amazing. The atmosphere inside was intense (we hate being invaded). The Ducks got off to a slow start, as it took them about half a period to even register a shot on goal, but once they got their wheels moving they pretty much dominated the rest of the game and controlled the pace. The penalty kill was superb, and the Sharks had no answers for Jonas Hiller who is in fact back, earning his 12th career shutout. The lone goal came from rookie Maxime Macenauer and it was the first of his NHL career.

First home win is in the books and we now look to Sunday night against the St. Louis Blues. It'll also be "MVPerry Night" where fans in attendance receive a Corey Perry MVP Puck and Poster. It'll be a night to honor Corey Perry for being the recipient of the Rocket Richard trophy and being the league's MVP. Be there. Celebrate #MVPerry.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"I felt comfortable out there," Hiller said of his 12th career shutout. "It was a really good game the whole team played. It’s definitely fun, with the crowd and everybody. It gets me excited."

"I want to make a statement every night, no matter what happened last year," Hiller said. "It’s always nice to get these kinds of games and feel good out there. Goaltending is a lot about confidence and it’s easier to play well if you start the season with these kinds of games. I’m definitely happy with the way it went. I also worked really hard to be where I’m at right now."

"I like playing with those two guys (Macenauer & McMillan)," Parros said. "They are small, fast and can chase down pucks. We are clicking, so hopefully we can keep it going."

"That was probably one of the best periods I’ve seen from this team so far," said Hiller, who helped the Ducks improve to 2-1-0 on the season, while the Sharks dropped to 1-1-0.

"You don’t have a chance in the NHL without solid goaltending," said Ducks coach Randy Carlyle. "Jonas tonight provided a little bit more than solid. His ailments are something of the past. Now, we just have to maintain keeping him fresh and give him an opportunity to be able to play night in and night out."

Injury Note:
Winger Jason Blake suffered a laceration of his forearm near the left wrist and received a suture, according to Carlyle. There is no word yet on the severity of the injury.

Source for Quotes & Game Day Notes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks center Maxime Macenauer (24) celebrates scoring with his teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against San Jose Sharks, Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif.(Photo Credit: Yahoo! Sports)

Side Note:

Actually came to Helsinki to see the game so blog updating will resume to normal speed with post game goodies and score updates once I return home! (Last night's game was painful, after all that travel!) The experience here in Helsinki has been nothing short of wonderful so not even a loss can get me down, but let's hope the Ducks rebound tonight in Stockholm (I'm not on that portion of the trip) and get their first W of the 2011-12 Season! These ones count, y'all. Hockey is BACK! LET'S GO DUCKS! See you in America.

Game 2: Ducks vs. Rangers 10.8.11 in STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

OPINION:
After a disappointing loss the previous night, this game was MUCH better. They put more effort into the game, and while they did their signature move of letting the other team tie it up in the final minutes, they also held on for the win, which is ultimately what matters the most. The Ducks (and I) get to fly home on a win! Huge thanks to Bobby Ryan for sinking that goal in the shootout to make that happen. Bigger thanks to Hiller for stopping everything else the Ranger's threw at him. It's still early, but it's a pretty safe bet that Hiller is back with a vengence, and that is music to any Ducks fans' ears. On the same hand, it's nails on a chalkboard to any opposing teams fans' ears, & I'll admit, I enjoy it.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"It wasn't the way it was drawn up, but I'll take it. I'm gonna label it a fortunate miss," Ryan said. "I had one (scoring chance) in the second period that I'd really liked to have back, so I think Henrik and I will trade even today."

"It's a good thing to get the first point out of the way. Now I can just kind of relax and hopefully get that first goal," [Smith-Pelly] said. "I thought yesterday I was a little bit nervous for most of the game. It probably showed in my game. But today I was much more calm, getting a little more confidence with the puck."

Source for Quotes & Game Day Notes: Wall Street Journal Online

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf (R) congratulates teammate and goalie Jonas Hiller for stopping the last penalty shot against New York Rangers's Artem Anisimov (unseen) after an overtime during their NHL season ice hockey game at the Globe Arena on October 8, 2011 in Stockholm. Ducks won 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Nackstrand /AFP/Getty Images)

Game 1: Ducks @ Sabres 10.7.11 in HELSINKI, FINLAND

OPINION:
When you're a Ducks fan you know one thing...Recent history indicates the first game of the season-- allbeit exciting that hockey is finally back-- isn't a game you look forward to. I personally wanted this year to be different since I was on the trip to Finland to see my Ducks open their season in Helsinki, but alas their knack for losing the first game of the year still holds strong. This team just doesn't win for whatever reason (Teemu has indicated it's because of Carlyle's intense training camps) in their first game of the season.

While the trip to Helsinki was nothing short of AMAZING, this loss put this game as the most expensive loss I've gone through as a fan, and I'd have to say it was worth every penny but it's still pretty damn disappointing. I'll forgive them, I always do.

On their game play they were just pure slop. Since I encountered the jetlag they were probably feeling, I'll have sympathy on them. I experienced first hand how tired they probably felt. So I'll let it slide this time. They also made it no secret how tired they were during the fan meet and greet, so I mostly expected the game to go as bad as it did. There's still 81 games to go. Hope for the best in tomorrow's game against the Rangers!

POST GAME QUOTES:
"We had some chances that we need to bury," Getzlaf said. "We gotta take that upon ourselves."

"I think our big line dominated the puck control down low for good stretches but didn't score, obviously" [Carlyle] said. "I think the frustration level built in that group."

"Those are opportunities that our power play has to develop where we (score) every time," Getzlaf said. "You know, 5-on-3s in this league don't come around very often, and they can change the whole momentum of a game."

"It was almost eight months since I played a regular season game, so I was excited to be back," Hiller said. "I'm excited that I felt well, but sure, it's a little disappointing. I wish I would have started with a win."

"I thought he was put in some situations where we left him high and dry," Carlyle said. "I think the goaltender's responsibility is to stop the first one. If there are seconds and thirds, it's our responsibility to clear those pucks away."

"I thought he was fine," Carlyle continued. "I thought he looked settled. He made some big stops. If you look at all four of their goals, where were they scored from? The critical area right in front of our net."
Said Getzlaf: "We gotta learn to protect our house. Nobody can score within that 5-foot radius around our net, and they scored a few tonight."

"I just tried to get it to the net," said Guenin, who was acquired from Columbus in a trade last season. "I saw it go in and, yeah, I kind of froze from a moment. It was nice. But I wish it had come in a W."

Source for Quotes & Game Day Notes: OC Register

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selänne reacts during the ice hockey NHL season opener game Buffalo Sabres vs Anaheim Ducks in Helsinki on October 7, 2011. AFP PHOTO / LEHTIKUVA / Markku Ulander *** FINLAND OUT ***(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

PRE-SEASON Game 8: Ducks @ Jokerit