Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks

Yes, just another preseason game, but hopefully one that will give us fans a good idea of what to expect from our boys this season. It was reported that coach Carlyle would be keeping the top RPG line intact, the Fins would be joined by Brandon McMillan on the second line, Andrew Cogliano would play center to Devante Smith-Pelly and Andrew Gordon on the third.

I'm still liking what I've seen with Gordon as well as Maxime Macenauer, hoping they continue their strong strides for roster spots.

I'm also incredibly curious to see how Jonas Hiller fares in between the pipes. He played against the Canucks in Vancouver a few days ago, but I want to see him on home ice with my own eyes.

As for the Canucks, I'm hearing that there are a lot of rookies trying to make the roster. And a lot of the veterans haven't seen much ice time yet. So it might be a slightly lopsided affair, but after watching our rookies beat the pants off of the Los Angeles Kings (who were playing some of their big guns) at the Staples Center Sunday night, anything is possible.

This is hockey afterall, right??

Training Camp 2011

I'm not yet done with all the pics from training camp, but I wanted to get the preliminary shots up here. More to come! Enjoy!


Jason Blake, Igor Bobkov, and Devante Smith-Pelly




Listening to instructions from coach Carlyle


Dan Ellis stops a bid assisted by newly drafted Richard Rakell




MVPerry is ready for his close-up


Back again for another training camp, Sheldon Brookbank




Captain Ryan Getzlaf


Chit-chatting between Perry and Getzlaf


Luca Sbisa and, in the background, Finnish goaltender Iiro Tarkki


Tarkki with a great save


Smith-Pelly and Sbisa


Dan Sexton and Jason Blake


Promising defenseman Jake Newton


Igor Bobkov takes a break




Rakell watches Mathieu Carle in a relay


Bobby Ryan


Jonas Hiller stretching out


Speedy newcomer from Edmonton, Andrew Cogliano


Matt Beleskey and Saku Koivu


Teemu Selanne tries to get one past Hiller




Also from Edmonton, Jeff Deslauriers




Bobby listening to the coaches as they set up a drill


Rookie Joseph Cramarossa




Cam Fowler signing autographs


Ryan Getzlaf hung out and signed autographs and took pictures with everyone


Much to our amusement, Bobby picked up a bunch of rookie "Ducklings" and offered them a ride to their hotel


Francois Beauchemin signing an autograph


Fan favorites George Parros and Teemu "one more" Selanne

3rd Annual Anaheim Ducks In a Roll

What's quickly becoming a very popular preseason event, the 3rd annual Anaheim Ducks in a Roll took place tonight at RA Sushi in Tustin.

Including this year, I've now been to all three and I can accurately say that it gets more and more crowded every year. When it was announced that Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf would be joined by Bobby Ryan and newcomer Andrew Cogliano, along with one lucky fan, I knew this year's event was going to be a zoo.


The calm before the storm

Arriving early didn't help much. Everyone was there early!

Like last year, seating was virtually nonexistent. There were a few standing tables, but otherwise, fans had to mill about and eat their sushi on the go. The "rules" were basically the same. Guests got to watch the boys roll their specialty sushi rolls and sample each roll. Purchasing a roll for $10 would count as a "fan vote" for that player, and $2 would go to the Anaheim Ducks Foundation. The roll with the most votes earns that player a win in the Fan Favorite category.


Fans eagerly awaiting

Rolls were also rated by a panel of judges and, in the end, an ultimate winner would be announced. That roll would be available on RA Sushi menus for the majority of the upcoming season, along with the $2 donation to charity.


Streamlined from last year, premade rolls were ready to go before the boys learned how to make them

Year after year, the players have a lot of fun with this event. And the fans do too. Let's look at some pictures!


Andrew Cogliano learning how to make his roll


Cogs: "So, how do I start?"


Getting heckled by Gezlaf, although Getzy did admit Cogs' roll was pretty good




Cogs presenting the "Breakaway" roll


"Breakaway" roll: yellowtail, spicy albacore, avocado and cucumber, drizzled with garlic ponzu and sriracha and topped with a slice of jalapeno


Getzlaf taking note of his available ingredients. No poutine, eh?


Bobby Ryan and Getzlaf discussing the finer points of sticky rice




All three Ducks hard at work


Ducks fan and winner with the highest bid, $550, Jeff Banner

Honestly, I thought Jeff's roll, the "Slapshot" (salmon, mango salsa, cream cheese inside; eel, roe, and eel sauce outside) was really good. I'm not a fan of jalapenos or spicy food so Jeff's was perfect for me.


Getzy learning how to make his roll, the "Captain Crunch" roll


What a pro!




Getzy presenting his roll to the fans


Getzy's "Captain Crunch" roll: spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, cucumber, and crunchy tempura bits, with a chili ponzu dipping sauce


Bobby learning how to make his roll, the "Hat Trick" roll


Bobby: "We don't actually come up with the names or ingredients in these..."






Bobby presenting his finished roll


The "Hat Trick" roll: salmon, spicy mayo, avocado and cucumber inside; crab mix and mango salsa outside

I really liked Bobby's roll too. Not too spicy, but very tasty. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, considering the fate of past fan favorite winners--they always end up traded), Bobby's came in third in the voting.


Getzlaf walked away with the fan favorite vote...


... but it was Cogliano and his "Breakaway" roll that won the judging

You can pick up the "Breakaway" roll at SoCali RA Sushi locations from October 11 until early April of next year, with $2 going to the Anaheim Ducks Foundation.


Said one judge, "Cogliano's roll has a bite to it, which you wouldn't expect from a player who just spent two seasons in Edmonton..."

As always, a fun event!