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

PRE-SEASON Game 7: Ducks vs. Kings

PRE-SEASON Game 6: Ducks vs. Canucks

NOTE: Game will be Televised on NHL Network, and broadcast on AM 830!

The Ducks haven't released a lineup yet, but here are the 25 players (of the 30 remaining in camp) who skated this morning:

Francois Beauchemin
Matt Beleskey
Jason Blake
Sheldon Brookbank
Andrew Cogliano
Cam Fowler
Ryan Getzlaf
Andrew Gordon
Nate Guenin
Saku Koivu
Maxime Macenauer
Patrick Maroon
Brian McGrattan
Brandon McMillan
Corey Perry
Bryan Rodney
Bobby Ryan
Luca Sbisa
Matt Smaby
Devante Smith-Pelly
Teemu Selanne
Lubomir Visnovsky

Goalies
Jeff Deslauriers
Dan Ellis
Jonas Hiller

PRE-SEASON Game 5: Ducks @ Kings

NOTE: Tonight's game will be streaming online for local market only CLICK HERE for the live streaming.

If you are not in the local market it will be broadcast on the radio on AM 830!

PRE-SEASON Game 4: Ducks @ Canucks

NOTE: Tonight's game is televised on NHL Network and CBC.

Tonight's Lineup:
4 - D - Cam Fowler
5 - D - Luca Sbisa
7 - C - Andrew Cogliano
8 - RW - Teemu Selanne
9 - LW - Bobby Ryan
10 - RW - Corey Perry
11 - C - Saku Koivu
15 - C - Ryan Getzlaf
16 - RW - George Parros
17 - D - Lubomir Visnovsky
19 - LW - J.F. Jacques
21 - D - Sheldon Brookbank
23 - D - Francois Beauchemin
25 - D - Matt Smaby
33 - Jason Blake
41 - RW - Andrew Gordon
47 - D - Bryan Rodney
49 - C - Maxime Macenauer
64 - C - Brandon McMillan
77 - RW - Devante Smith-Pelly

Goalies

1 - Jonas Hiller
43 - Jeff Deslauriers

PRE-SEASON Game 3: Ducks @ Sharks

Sorry for no pre-season Game 2 post, I hated having horrible graphic making tools. Welcome back, Photoshop. Now I can blog happy. Here:

Tonight's Lineup:
4 - D - Cam Fowler
9 - LW - Bobby Ryan
10 - RW - Corey Perry
15 - C - Ryan Getzlaf
18 - C - Mark Bell
23 - D - Francois Beauchemin
25 - D - Matt Smaby
34 - D - Nate Guenin
40 - D - Sean Zimmerman
41 - RW - Andrew Gordon
45 - RW - Brian McGrattan
46 - D - Mathieu Carle
47 - D - Bryan Rodney
49 - C - Maxime Macenauer
57 - C - Nicolas Deschamps
63 - C - Nick Bonino
64 - C - Brandon McMillan
65 - RW - Emerson Etem
74 - C - Peter Holland
77 - RW - Devante Smith-Pelly

Goalies

38 - Dan Ellis
43 - Jeff Deslauriers

PRE-SEASON Game 1: Ducks vs. Coyotes

(Photo Credit: Kathryn Wong)
(Graphical Edit by Myself, on Picnik.com)

Lost my photoshop over the summer when my computer crashed, picnik.com will have to do for now. :(
The 2011-12 season is upon us.

Let's Do This, Ducks fans!

Tonight's Lineup:
7 - C - Andrew Cogliano
8 - RW - Teemu Selanne
11 - C - Saku Koivu
17 - D - Lubomir Visnovsky
18 - C - Mark Bell
19 - LW - J.F. Jacques
25 - D - Matt Smaby
34 - D - Nate Guenin
40 - D - Sean Zimmerman
42 - RW - Dan Sexton
47 - D - Bryan Rodney
51 - RW - Kyle Palmieri
58 - D - Jake Newton
62 - LW - Patrick Maroon
63 - C - Nick Bonino
64 - LW - Brandon McMillan
65 - RW - Emerson Etem
67 - RW - Rickard Rakell
73 - D - Matt Clark
74 - C - Peter Holland
77 - RW - Devante Smith-Pelly
82 - C - Joseph Cramarossa

Goalies

36 - G - John Gibson
72 - G - Igor Bobkov

Happy Anniversary, Ducks Fans!

June 6th, 2007.

There really are no words. Except, LET'S DO IT AGAIN! 2012...oh and ONE MORE YEAR, you know who.