Ducks vs Nashville Predators

There's one thing I never leave for an Anaheim Ducks game without: BabyRebel. Well, there's tickets too, but I have actually forgotten the tickets once.

But my camera? Never. Unfortunately, digital cameras need batteries and memory cards to do their jobs... and those, I have forgotten on multiple occasions.

Tonight's contest against the Nashville Predators turned out to be another of those occasions. Bah. So this post will be a short one, especially since the Ducks fell victim to a hot goaltender and a lack of offensive fortitude.

To their credit, I thought our boys started off well enough. There were chances at the net in the first period. Skating seemed decent, and we outshot the opponent 15-5. The Pred's first goal was a garbage goal, and had to be reviewed by the Toronto War Room before it was deemed good.

Of course, Pekka Rinne was an absolute monster. And, as the second period wound down with another tally for the Preds and none for the Ducks despite being outshot again, I think frustration and bad juju got our boys down.

The third period started off straight out sad. Ducks lost their ability to move their feet and spent way too much time and energy in the defensive zone. Finally energized by a goal from Saku Koivu nearly 12 minutes into the 3rd, they tried to come back for an equalizer.

Personally, I think it was a mistake to pull Jonas Hiller with still over a minute left on the clock, but coaching thought otherwise. The empty netter was imminent. And, to rub salt in an already ugly wound, it happened twice. The final tally was tossed haphazardly down the ice from behind the Preds goal to land squarely in ours with 0.2 seconds left on the clock.

Ugh.

On the bright side, this game saw the debut of new acquisition Maxim LaPierre. The gritty center was traded from the Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Brett Festerling and a pick. I liked what I saw from him. Speed, aggression, and a willingness to play in the dirty areas in front of the crease. I think he will fit in well here.

Let's hope the rest of the team is ready to show him a reason to love his new jersey.