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)

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 53: Ducks vs. Sabres 2.2.09

Ducks Win 3-2!!!

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GAME DAY QUOTES:
"It was a good shot by Monty," Perry said. "It just squeaked through the goalie and it was sitting there on the line. Those are the kind of goals we need to have coming down the stretch. They call them garbage goals, but somebody has to be there."

"Hiller’s making the big stops when we need it," Pronger said. "We’ve had to rely on him. It’s big to have two goalies like that. It doesn’t matter which one you throw in. You know you have a guy back there that can win you a game or hold a lead when you need it. We’re starting to get that confidence in those guys and in ourselves with the way we’re playing defensively. It’s a sign in the right direction. We just hope to continue it."

"We’re playing a full 60 minutes and staying to our structure," Perry said. "When we play that way, we’re a tough team to play against. It’s nice to have three of four. We just have to keep it going. It’s a battle out there. These points are crucial. We’re after the All-Star break, so everybody is pushing for playoff spots."

"Probably the biggest change in the last three or four games is we’ve put the puck in deep and got to work," said Ducks coach Randy Carlyle. "That has allowed us to play more in the offensive zone from a standpoint of the cycle game and it’s led to us not drawing the penalties in the defensive zone or the neutral ice."

"Tonight’s a good game to build on," Pronger said. "We have to come out on Wednesday in Minnesota and make sure we bring that same effort and continue to get even better. I don’t think anybody in here can be satisfied with what we’ve accomplished over the last four games. We have to put a string together and expect it every night from one another and ourselves. We’re starting to see it and it’s up to us in here to continue that."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com