Game 34: Ducks @ Kings 12.22.11

Game 34: Ducks @ Capitals 12.15.10

OPINION:
It's always nice when the Ducks win. It's nicer when they win on the road. It's even better when it's against one of the best teams out there. Yes, the Capitals were on a 6 game losing streak before this game, but losing streaks happen to everyone and does not measure what kind of team you have. Unless it becomes a habit. I'll save my witty snipe at the Islanders because of what happened the next night and I'm updating this post late.

POST GAME QUOTES:
"We just (have) to keep scratching and clawing," Getzlaf said. "We're not going to blow anybody out. Tonight, we had to take an extra five minutes, but we were able to get it done."

"It was definitely not our best period (1st)," Hiller said. "They put a lot of pressure on us. We gave them way too many turnovers and chances."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 15: Jonas Hiller #1 of the Anaheim Ducks defends the goal against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on December 15, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Ducks won the game 2-1. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Game 34: Ducks @ Sharks 12.17.09

Graphic Credit: BuckyHermit @ duckscentral.net






OPINION:
I didn't go into watching this game with high expectations because I realize that the Sharks are a very dominant team (in the regular season) and the Ducks... they just aren't. Not this year. I wanted a win, every fan wants a win. I just didn't expect one. I could throw out excuses like it was the 2nd night of a back to back, it was a tough Sharks team, the Ducks were tired, etc. In fact I did just throw those out, but I wont hide behind them.

In a game that was 0 - 0 for what seemed like forever the Sharks broke through and rolled full steam ahead. The Ducks didn't get on the board until very early in the 3rd period while on a power play but it was all Sharks after. The 4-1 score is a little deceiving but it still remains a 4-1 score. In what's become characteristic for the Ducks they had a breakdown in the 3rd. I don't like that characteristic but it's theirs this season.

Once again, how unfortunate. I'm naming this season "The Unfortunate Season".

POST GAME QUOTES:
"When you play back to back games, sometimes energy can be a question," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "I don't think it was the energy issue. I didn't think we were emotionally involved in the game until later."

"I don't want to get in trouble or anything but I just finished my hit," Whitney said. "I didn't elbow him or hit him in the head. I didn't trip him, I didn't do anything and I get a roughing. I was pretty amazed at that call."

"We drew a power play and then we get taken out of a power play on a pretty difficult call to swallow," Carlyle said. "As a coach, when you're watching it on the replay, the penalty on a Whitney, that's just taking the body on a player behind the net. The other penalties were deserved."

Source for Quotes:OC Register

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Anaheim Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere dives on the puck to save a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in San Jose, Calif.(PHOTO CREDIT: Yahoo Sports)

Game 34: Ducks @ Canucks 12.22.08

Ducks Lose 4-3

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GAME DAY QUOTES:
"If we had an answer we wouldn't have to answer those questions," said [Scott] Niedermayer, who had a goal and assist. "It was tough because they moved it around on the power play well and made us pay. Teams are going to do that when you are in the box as much as we were tonight."

"The flow, when you are going to the box one after another, is tough because you are wearing out certain guys and others aren't getting on the ice at all," Niedermayer said. "Frustration starts to build and that is not the recipe for winning hockey games."

"I didn't think we really engaged in the hockey game emotionally until the third period," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said. "And then we got desperate and started to play more of the type of hockey that is required to have success on the road. It seemed like any time that we got some momentum going, had some good shifts from our grind line and started to cycle like you have to do on the road, then they got a power play. It took all the momentum away from us."

Source for Quotes: ducks.nhl.com