Ducks vs San Jose Sharks (season opener)

Ugh.

The nausea-inducing score of 1-4 says it all. Our Ducks got trounced in their season opener against the San Jose Sharks. It's unfortunate that it had to happen in front of a packed house at the Ponda. It's unfortunate that it had to happen after a rousing opening ceremony. It's unfortunate that it had to happen after a final preseason game a little less than a week ago that showed so full of promise.

It's unfortunate that it had to happen at all.

But, if it helps any to try to rationalize it, we can point out that the Sharks came to Anaheim with a lot of pressure on their shoulders. They've been in town as early as yesterday morning, practicing at Anaheim Ice. Coming off a devastating 2-5 loss in their season opener against the Colorado Avalanche who, incidentally, finished off the 2008-09 season dead last, the Sharks were fueled for vengeance.

They had to prove that they could make their highly-publicized Joe Thornton/Dany Heatley combination work. They had to prove that they weren't just the President's Trophy winners who got knocked off in the first round of playoffs. There are a lot of analysts watching the Sharks... a whole heckuva lot more than those who are watching the Ducks, that's for sure.

And besides, there's a huge rivalry between these two teams, and that's enough to chap anyone's hide.


Ducks: *growl*
Sharks: *snarl*

What I'm hoping is that our Ducks take some valuable lessons from this game. For one, everyone needs to step up the defense. EVERYONE. Chris Pronger is no longer there to sweep rebound pucks off the doorstep. He's not there to make things uncomfortable for any opponent who chooses to hang out in our goal crease. Frankie Beauchemin is no longer there to hold up our blue line.

Jonas Hiller did all he could tonight, but when your defense is severely lacking, it makes your job all the harder.

As our Ducks struggled, they got angry and sloppy. They let emotions get the best of them. Top scorers like Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf ended up in the penalty box, where they are of absolutely no help to anyone. When a penalty would get whistled for the Sharks, there would be so much pushing and shoving that a Duck would also end up in the box too. Goodbye man-advantage. Not that it did much good, our power play just couldn't buy a goal.

I hope our Ducks were humiliated. I hope they remember how much this stings and vow to themselves not to let it happen again. After all, there's many more games to be played... and won!



Now let's focus on what was good today, a welcome back ceremony for Ducks fans including an afternoon on the red carpet.


It was a beautiful sunny day for Duck watching!


Mike Brown and the lovely Skylar from 'The Element'


Eric Christensen gets interviewed by Skylar


Big George Parros signing autographs


James Wisniewski


Evgeny Artyukhin


Jonas Hiller


Ryan Whitney


My boy Bobby Ryan who, I believe, was on the red carpet longest because he took so much time signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans.


Ryan Getzlaf... who I'm afraid will be completely bald before the end of the season =X


Sheldon Brookbank got married this summer. Sorry ladies!


Steve Eminger, who looks like he should be in on the cover of GQ. Hello ladies!


Andrew Ebbett... and the back of some lady's head.


J.S. Giguere


Arriving last, Teemu Selanne was quickly ushered down the red carpet and could only give fans a paparazzi-style wave

Oh, and another highlight? Yours truly got to ride the zamboni.



Our Ducks get a chance to let this one sink in before redeeming themselves next Tuesday in Minneapolis.