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 43: Ducks vs. Red Wings 1.5.10

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net





OPINION:
With how much of a roller coaster type of season the Ducks have had so far my readers (yes, you) would look at my blog and think I am bi-polar. I go from angry frustrated rants in the opinion section to overly happy ones. I wish there were more overly happy ones than angry frustrated ones but what can you do.

I understand that Detroit has had more than it's fair share of injuries this season and it's a big factor as to why they are not in a playoff spot right now, but that said, it's still great to win against them. There are few teams that I enjoy the Ducks winning against more than I enjoy brownies, and Detroit is one of them. A very bitter rivalry that wont die down any time soon. If there is any team that ever gets in the Ducks way of Stanley Cup dreams it's always Detroit. They're usually the ones to beat, and when you beat them it feels good. This is the regular season and it still feels good to beat them. So yes, they do have those injuries, but from the rivalry standpoint, I don't care.

The Ducks got to an early 1-0 lead from a Koivu short handed goal and extended it to a 2-0 lead shortly after. That was pretty much where the game ended. I'm of the belief that if your team gets a short handed goal they're usually and likely going to be rewarded with the Win. Short handed goals do something to a team that just lights a fire under their butts and wins usually come with them. Detroit stole a shutout from Hiller in the 3rd and made it 2-1 but Perry quickly answered back and gave us fans breathing room. Chipchura grabbed up an empty net goal and the result is a 4-1 victory. And from my standpoint of being surrounded by Detroit fans at the game, nothing sounded better than the silence.


POST GAME QUOTES:
"It was early in the game, so there was a lot of hockey left to be played," Koivu said. "A lot of times when you look at the stats, the teams that score the first goal win. Especially when you get it on the PK like that, your chances to win are a lot greater. We were looking for a good start and when we get that, we’re a lot tougher to beat."

"It took awhile, but it’s nice to get it off my back," said Beleskey, who was playing in his 24th career game. "Hopefully, there are more to come. Playing with Corey and Getz, they are pretty good guys to play with if you want to score a goal. They moved it up top and then it went d to d. Brookbank took a good shot and I was in the position to whack it in there."

"Desperation has to take place in our group," said coach Randy Carlyle. " We haven’t won enough. We have to continue to build on the things. We just have to continue to work hard for our breaks."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 05: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks scores the insurance goal in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at the Honda Center on January 5, 2010 in Anaheim, California. The Ducks defeated the Red Wings 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Game 31: Ducks @ Red Wings 12.11.09

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net

PERIOD 1: 1 - 0
PERIOD 2: 2 - 0
PERIOD 3: 2 - 2
OVERTIME: 2 - 3







OPINION:
I'm not going to go off on a long overly-winded rant about how much the ref's blew this game. I won't. I will just say that if the Ducks had 10 power play opportunities they would likely win the game too, and they probably wouldn't have to go to overtime to do it either. That's all I will say. 10 yes, I'd say half were legit, the other half were bogus. The ref that helped Detroit win it was his 2nd NHL game. He should not survive to his 3rd. Ridiculous.

On top of that this was yet ANOTHER 3 point game. (And looky there, Sharks and Dallas had ANOTHER 3 point game too...) The Ducks actually looked quite strong in the first two periods in spite of 6 penalty calls against them. They left the 2nd up 2 goals. The 3rd is another story. Detroit got to go on another power play and finally on their 7th opportunity they got one past Jiggy. Then they got ANOTHER opportunity and just as the penalty expired they scored. The game went to overtime with, yeah you guessed it, Detroit on the power play. That's where they converged for the game winner.

The Ducks meanwhile, had a whole 4 tries on the PP. 4.


POST GAME QUOTES:
"We had a 2-0 lead going into the third period and in the first two minutes we take an offensive zone penalty 200 feet from our net," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "And then take an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. How can you have a 2-0 lead with those kind of penalties? Just self-destructed."

"We took way too many penalties the entire game," Sexton said. "Five-on-five we had them pretty good."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu (11), of Finland, celebrates his goal with teammates next to Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. (PHOTO CREDIT: Yahoo Sports)

Game 18: Ducks @ Red Wings 11.14.09

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net

PERIOD 1: 0 - 2
PERIOD 2: 1 - 2
PERIOD 3: 4 - 7





OPINION:
First let me start off with the final score looks worse than what actually happened. It looks like we got bombed, and we did. But the Ducks had battled back THREE times to tie the score (2-2; 3-3; 4-4). Then Hiller let in 2 weak goals, and finally the Wings got an empty netter. So don't judge a book by it's cover, this game was anyone's game up until Hiller fell asleep for the last 5 minutes. The first period was crap. 0 - 2, Really? The 2nd period was better, they got themselves into the game, gave themselves a chance. Then the 3rd came where penalties became the Ducks enemy. They would tie the game then take a stupid penalty and the Wings would regain the lead. As you can see, that happened three times. It gave the wings too much life and they ended up bombing us at the end. It's a simple case of the Ducks getting the fans hopes up then Detroit taking that hope and squishing it like a bug. On to the next...... this losing is getting old.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"We got ourselves back up with them a few times but they kept bumping back up," Niedermayer said.

"That's why they're a great team year in and year out," Lupul said. "They know how to win those tough games."

(They were not very talkative tonight, eh?)

Source for Quotes:nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks' Corey Perry (10) scores a goal against Detroit Red Wings' goalie Jimmy Howard, center, during the second period of their NHL hockey game on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, in Detroit. (PHOTO CREDIT: sports.yahoo.com)