Games 59 - 62 Catch Up Post

Since ALL these games resulted in the L (and some pretty bad L's at that) I'm not going to waste my time with the fancy game day graphics or put myself through having to re-live them with the post game updates. I'll just post the final scores and say a 5 game losing streak is unacceptable right now. We'll get back on track tonight against Colorado.

Game 58: Ducks vs. Capitals 2.16.11

UPDATE: Hiller has been placed back on IR for at least 3 games (will not play tonight or go on the two game road swing this weekend). He had a reoccurance of dizziness/lightheadedness. Timo Pielmeier has been called up.

Game 57: Ducks @ Oilers 2.13.11

OPINION:
So many positives about this game, where do I even begin? I'll just roll with it. The Ducks got Hiller back from his mysterious injury/sickness and it couldn't have been any better of a game for him to come back for. Instead of facing a team that would pelt him with 40+ shots, he got to ease back into the game with a team that gave him 14 shots. And since it was only 14 shots Hiller earned his 5th shutout of the season.

Another positive is the Ducks played a full 60 minute effort, even against the Oilers. In past games they've been guilty of playing themselves down to the opponent and not taking the weaker teams seriously. And they got burned in doing so. Not this time. This time they went in to play hockey whether the Oilers wanted to play or not. And they got the result they wanted. Bobby Ryan had 2 goals on the night and was looking for his 3rd hat trick of the season. (Is it just me, or are Bobby and Perry in an unsaid competition on who can score the most hat tricks this year? No complaints from me, the more hat tricks the better, I say).

The Ducks sailed through this game and won 4-0 and ironically come home from the road trip a perfect 4-0. I said early in the season that if they could figure out how to win on the road, they would be fine. And ladies and gentlemen, I believe they have figured out how to win on the road. I'm looking forward to the final stretch.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"Shot-wise it might have been one of the easiest shutouts of my career," said Hiller, who now has 11 for his career. "But not getting a whole lot of shots, does sometimes make it tougher to stay focused. They did have a couple of chances. There were a couple of odd-man rushes, and things like that, so it wasn't an easy night, but it wasn't a whole lot of work."

"When you score early like that, it really set the tone for us," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said.

"I thought we got guilty of being too cute at times, but then got a big goal and the game started to go in our direction and we were fortunate we caught a tired hockey club tonight," Carlyle said.

GAME NOTES:

• The Ducks outscored their opponents 16-7 on the road trip, which included shutouts at Colorado (Feb. 5) and at Edmonton (Feb. 13)...Anaheim is now tied for the division lead with Dallas (the Stars have one game in hand).


• The Ducks have won six straight games on the road, the longest current streak in the NHL and equaling the third-longest streak in the NHL this season. The streak is the club's longest road win streak since a six-game stretch from Mar. 19 – Apr. 4, 2009 (club record is seven games).


• The Ducks road trip sweep (Colorado/Vancouver/Calgary/Edmonton) marked the third time in club history the team has won every game on a road trip of four games or more


• Selanne's goal was the 100th game-winner of his career...he becomes the sixth player in NHL history to achieve the milestone, joining Gordie Howe (121), Phil Esposito (118), Jaromir Jagr (112), Brett Hull (110) and Brendan Shanahan (109).


• The Ducks allowed only 12 shots tonight at Edmonton - the fewest shots allowed in a shutout in club history...the previous low was 14 (Bryzgalov, Oct. 28, 2006 at Chicago, 3-0 win).


• Anaheim has won four straight games overall…the team is 8-2-0 in the last 10 contests, 11-3-0 in the last 14, 14-4-0 in the last 18 and 19-8-1 over the last 28 games.

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

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks' Saku Koivu (11), Teemu Selanne, center right, and Jason Blake, right, celebrate Selanne's goal against Edmonton Oilers' goaltender Devan Dubnyk (40) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Edmonton.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

Game 56: Ducks @ Flames 2.11.11

OPINION:
These are the kinds of games that show a fan that their team is serious about wanting to win. The Ducks battled back from being behind twice in this game. They fought for every goal. They didn't give up when they went down. The climbed right back into it. These games are the games I love to see. It doesn't only boost the teams confidence to be able to come from behind and battle back to win, it boost the fans confidence in knowing that they can do it. I don't think I was the only one doing a happy dance in the living room when Teemu Selanne scored the tying goal that would send the Ducks to overtime, and I don't think I'm the only one who let out the loudest possible yelp when Cam Fowler (Get in on the #Fowler4Calder hash tag on twitter if you have one, this kid is worth it!) scored the winning goal with just seconds left in overtime. Amazing win by an amazing group of guys. This game has me saying: These Ducks are for real now. They aint playin' around no more. In it to win it.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"Luckily it went in," the 19-year-old Fowler said. "I didn't get as much on it as I would have liked and it looked like it fooled him a little bit. They always say that backhanders are the hardest to stop."

"Cam Fowler is an amazing hockey player," said Selanne, who assisted on the winner. "It's unbelievable that young guys like that can come into the league and dominate in pretty much every area. If this guy doesn't win the Norris Trophy one day, it's going to be a crime."

"When we watch guys like Fowler and all the young guys play like that, we feel younger too," Selanne said.

"This was huge for us," Fowler said. "If we drop this one, Calgary jumps ahead of us in the standings and now we bump up to fourth. You can just see the degree of difficulty that's involved in a conference like this. Every game is huge and all the points matter and we're lucky to come out of here with two."

"Curtis has been real strong with us," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "He's had more of an opportunity with us than he had with the Flames because of the situation he's in."

GAME NOTES:
Calgary LW Alex Tanguay (neck) missed his second game ... Selanne's three assists gives him 690 in his career, moving him past Maurice Richard and into 53rd on the NHL's all-time list ... Calgary D Cory Sarich played in career game No. 800 ... Anaheim D Francois Beauchemin was in the lineup for the first time since Wednesday's trade with Toronto. Beauchemin spent four seasons with the Ducks before signing with Toronto as a free agent in July 2009. ... The Flames play in Vancouver against the Northwest Division-leading Canucks on Saturday night.

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

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks' Teemu Selanne, right, from Finland, and Saku Koivu, from Finland, celebrate the team's win over the Calgary Flames during overtime of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. The Ducks won 5-4.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

Game 55: Ducks @ Canucks 2.9.11

OPINION:
What a day today has been for Ducks fans. In the morning news broke that we had traded Joffrey Lupul (with prospect Jake Gardiner, and a conditional draft pick) to Toronto for a familiar face-- Francois Beauchemin. In my own opinion I am sad to see Lupul go (Again) but I'm thrilled that Beauchemin is back home. He hasn't fared well in Toronto but he knows how to play here. Anaheim is where he fits. I think it's a great move. It's just unfortunate that Lupul is gone as he's always been one of my favorites. I've always been intrigued by the fact that you can spell his name forward and backward with the same result. Good luck to you in Toronto Lupul. And I completely understand why you're pretty bitter about it.

Beauchemin flew in to Vancouver today to join the team but he did not suit up for the game. We can expect to see him Friday for the game against Calgary. We DID get to see someone else suit up though. Our Captain Ryan Getzlaf returned to his first game since going out with a facial injury in December. He made his return known in more ways than one. He helped put up points and he got himself involved in what I guess is now a "controversial" hit. I don't see the controversy, it was a clean hit in my opinion, and just unfortunate that Humhuis went down so awkwardly as a result. My sincerest hopes go out that he'll be ok. Injuries are no fun any way you cut the cake.

In this game the Ducks never lost their lead. It was a solid and rare 60 minute effort that got us the W we desperately need to stay in the top 8. And with the Canucks leading the entire league in points it's not like they exactly needed the win, so we'll take it. Up next is a surprisingly red hot Calgary team that had a rough start to their season. They have an 8-1-1 record in their last 10 and have surged their way into 8th place as of tonight. The Ducks sit in 7th. If you have been taking notice of the standings, you'll know it's not exactly safe. One day you're in, the next night you're on the outside looking in. The final stretch is going to be a doozy. The Ducks just need to keep winning.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"It was huge to respond after our line had just been scored on and Burrows pulled them within a goal," Ryan said. "You can respond one of two ways. You can cower and play a tight defensive game or you can go on the attack."

"They are going to charge at you, we know that, but we were guilty of standing around trying to make plays, too," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said. "We have a tendency to keep things exciting right to the end."

"This building has been a nightmare for a lot of teams, so we've got to feel good," Carlyle said.

"I don't want to hurt anybody out there," said Getzlaf, who also had an assist in his first game back after missing six weeks because of nasal sinus fractures. "I didn't leave my feet, I kept my shoulder down and he was just following through on a pass. It was an unfortunate accident. He turned as he made his pass and he was well aware that I was coming."

"I was the only one in the building that knew that one was coming," Ryan said. "That's why he's one of the best playmakers in the league."

GAME NOTES:
Anaheim was 10-4 without Getzlaf after he took a puck in the face during a game on Dec. 28 game. ... Canucks LW Aaron Volpatti replaced smaller Jeff Tambellini for added grit and toughness on the fourth line. Rookie D Chris Tanev took the place of Ballard, who will be out 3-to-4 weeks.

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

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf, from left, Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne, of Finland, celebrate Ryan's goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday Feb. 9, 2011.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

Game 54: Ducks @ Avalanche 2.5.11

OPINION:
Corey Perry. Corey Perry. Corey Perry. He single handedly won this game for the Ducks notching all 3 goals for his 2nd hat trick of the season and 2nd of his NHL career. Honorable mention to Curtis McElhinney who stood his ground minding the net for the Ducks for his 2nd shutout of the season and 2nd shutout for his NHL career. It was a good day for seconds and a great start to the road trip the Ducks will be on for 2 weeks.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"Unselfish," Perry said. "That's how we're continuing our success, unselfish play." [On Marchant giving up the opportunity to get his 1st goal of the season by passing to Perry so he could notch the hat trick with the empty net]

"We keep pushing, and guys are all getting together," said Perry, who has 28 goals and 28 assists in 54 games this season.

"The goaltending on our hockey club has been one of our strongest suits," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "Today is another example of proving that."

"I feel good right now. I feel comfortable," said McElhinney.

GAME NOTES:
Avs F Peter Mueller has resumed skating again. He has been sidelined by a concussion all season. ... Anaheim was the last Western Conference team to play Colorado this season. ... The Ducks have won eight of nine against Colorado. ... This was Anaheim's first shutout in Colorado since December 1998.

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

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu, left, of Finland, congratulates right wing Corey Perry, right, after a hat trick by Perry to win an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, in Denver . The Ducks won 3-0.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

Game 53: Ducks vs. Sharks 2.2.11

OPINION:
Well. 14 seconds was all it took. All it took to show Ducks fans that the Ducks thought they were still on break. Sorry Ducks, break is over. They figured that out by the 2nd period and almost fought back, but almost isn't good enough. A loss to another division rival and this one stings. It was enough for the Sharks to tie the Ducks in the standings while still having a game in hand. All we can do now is hope they lose that game in hand, and then lose some more, and hope the Ducks play just a smidge better and get back to winning.

It's no secret in Anaheim. The Ducks always, and I mean always, come out flat after the all-star break. They really don't do well with extended rest periods. Take last year's olympic break... it completely broke the momentum the Ducks were gaining and it resulted in an extended summer.

I always hate having to update the blog after a loss and it's not because I'm a sore loser. I actually try to employ Randy Carlyle's rule he has for his players. The 10 minute rule. I try to be over a loss within those 10 minutes and then focus on the next game, and then I come here and rehash the game and get upset all over again. Anywho... On to the next one...

POST GAME QUOTES:
"We were lethargic to start the game," Ryan said, "and going down 3-0 to a division rival is a tough hole to crawl out of."

Rookie Cam Fowler, who had a second period goal in the Ducks' comeback attempt, added, " I’m not sure if we were a little rusty after the break, but there are no excuses. We can’t have a start like that, especially in our own building. I thought our guys did a good job of battling back, but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough."

"When we scored there in the third, the whole momentum shifted," Ryan said. "We controlled the play for the better part of the third. They did a good job. They held onto a lead that they should have."

"We haven’t played that type of hockey in a long time," said Ducks coach Randy Carlyle. "But those are the things that you have to deal with. We’ll come to work tomorrow and prepare for the next one because we can’t do anything about the one that just went by."

GAME NOTES:
- Koivu's assist on the Ducks 2nd goal gave him his 500th career assist.

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

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks right wing Joffrey Lupul(notes) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)

2011 NHL All-Star Game

2011 NHL Superskills Competition 1.29.11

Game 52: Ducks @ Blue Jackets 1.25.11

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

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

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)

Game 51: Ducks @ Canadiens 1.22.11

OPINION:
This was Saku Koivu's big return to Montreal. His first time playing in Montreal since he came to Anaheim. He called Montreal home for 13 years, Captained the team for nearly a decade, so it was a pretty big deal for him to be going to a place where he said "still feels like home". He didn't play his best game, getting 3 penalties and 2 of them resulted in goals for Montreal. I'll go easy on him though, as he was likely nervous and probably numb the whole game from the pure emotion.

The Ducks entered the 3rd period with what's affectionately known here in Anaheim as the dreaded two-goal lead. I just said a few posts back that we're used to the other team tying up the game in the waning seconds of the third, and to no surprise, it happened again tonight. It made for a thrilling overtime period and suspenseful shootout. The Ducks once again had Jonas Hiller and Bobby Ryan come up huge for them come shootout time and the victory became ours.

A few hours before the game I was a guest on a Habs online radio show. I was asked to be on a couple days ago and it was my first time as a guest for a radio gig. The guys were great Habs fans and it was good to chat with them. I'm not sure if the actual spot I was on at can be re-played but their radio gig is once a week from 3 to 4pm EST and can be found here: Chat Habs Thanks again guys for having me as a guest!

POST GAME QUOTES:
"It's a big two points for us but it didn't go the way we planned, with them getting the tying goal at the end and myself getting three penalties," Koivu said, "but at the end I'm happy that it's done."

"You give up a lead like that late in the third and it adds to it, obviously," Ryan said. "Saku's a very, very well respected individual in our room, obviously you can tell by the emotions of him and the fans tonight that he was very well respected here - we certainly wanted to win for him and we're glad we did."

"We kind of let them back in the game by taking those penalties," Hiller said. "It shouldn't have happened but that's the way it goes. I think the difference right now is we still found a way to win. At the beginning of the year we let the other team come back and we would end up losing."

"There's not really words to describe the feeling that I had out there, and then at the end after the game," said Koivu, who repeated the gestures when he was named the game's second star. "A great night - it's going to be a memory that's going to go with me through the rest of my life. It's a good feeling right now."

GAME NOTES:
Koivu faced the Canadiens for the first time last season in a 4-3 loss to Montreal in Anaheim on March 7. ... C Kyle Chichura, D Paul Mara and D Sheldon Brookbank did not dress for the Ducks. ... Canadiens C Jeff Halpern missed his second straight game because of an upper-body injury.

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

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks' Saku Koivu skates by sign reading "KOIVU #1" before an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. Former Canadiens captain Koivu admits he is a little nervous about playing his first game in Montreal since he signed with the Ducks in 2009.(Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports)