tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014460663083355612024-02-06T20:54:08.778-08:00And he shoots... he scores!!An Anaheim Ducks blog, from the perspective of a hockey fan armed with a cameraChris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-53566523235478084932014-02-24T00:11:00.001-08:002014-02-24T00:11:15.608-08:00Olympic breakI tried to write this post, but accidentally deleted the whole thing while trying to save it. Story of my life.<br />
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<div>
I'm
at work trying to avoid Olympic spoilers. Today was the bronze medal
game against the US and Finland men's ice hockey teams. Call me
unpatriotic, but I'm definitely hoping for Finland to take it. Teemu
Selanne's last game in the international arena? A Finnish team
consisting of a few of my Ducks (Selanne, Sami Vatanen) AND Coyotes
(Lauri Korpikoski)? And even a former Coyote that I miss from the days I
first started following the team (Sami Lepisto)? Not to mention Bobby
Ryan is NOT on Team USA, nor is Coyote Keith Yandle.</div>
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Well... sort of a no-brainer for me!</div>
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Tomorrow
is the gold medal game between Canada and Sweden. And yes, while
Ducks' Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf are on Team Canada (and so is
Coyotes' Mike Smith although he hasn't had a single start yet), I don't
really want Canada to win. They're always favored and they love to brag
that it's THEIR game so of course THEY should win... eh, I love
underdogs so I'm not cheering for Canada.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Besides, I've been able to watch the Swedes play,
and I gotta say I'm very impressed by Erik Karlsson and Coyote's Oliver
Ekman-Larsson paired together on the blue line. However, I'm a little
peeved that Ollie got absolutely NO ice time in the Finland vs Sweden
game... but I'd still want them to win over Canada. Ducks' Jakob
Silfverberg is also on Team Sweden, and I'm hoping some good play in the
Olympics will help kick start his confidence. Goodness knows the boy
could use it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And then, after all the Olympic razzle dazzle is
over, I have a date with my Coyotes! Thanks to a VERY GENEROUS Coyote
friend in Phoenix, I get to attend the Coyote's Meet the Team event this
Monday. I can't even tell you how excited I am to be able to see my
favorite player once again =)</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Coyote Olympians probably won't be in attendance, but Antoine's the one I want to see.</div>
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I'm
printing out a bunch of pictures from the last couple of months, when I
saw that handful of Coyotes games in Phoenix. Hoping to get a few
signatures and a few great stories. I'm so excited!</div>
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You really don't realize how much you take for
granted having your favorite player on your home team. Every
opportunity I get to see Vermette is just so special... I wish I had
made more of my opportunities to see Bobby when he was in Anaheim.</div>
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Oh, and speaking of Bobby, he made the most of his Team USA snub by going to Europe with Danielle and proposing to her in Paris!!! I couldn't be happier for them =D</div>
Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-33690731415169228672014-02-05T03:48:00.003-08:002014-02-05T03:59:10.212-08:00Killed it in the interview"Vermette wins a board battle, skates in alone and dekes five-hole on Lehtonen for his team-leading 21st goal of the season..."<br />
<br />
This just happened. I'm at work, but can't wait to get home and watch the play.<br />
<br />
It appears my favorite player has been on quite a tear lately, a career-long point streak with a point in each of 8 games where he's gone 8-3-11 overall. And I couldn't be happier. Actually, I could. If only his WHOLE team was stepping up like that, maybe they wouldn't be on the outside of the playoff circle looking in! Their deficiencies are only more glaring because I also watch my Ducks, and they are number one in the league.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I have to finish telling my story! Quick refresher on that timeline:<br />
- November 6, Vermette sees my sign for him and Chippy at the game vs the Ducks at the Ponda.<br />
- December 21, Vermette gets his 2nd career hat trick while playing the Senators in Ottawa to seal my promise that I'd get his jersey.<br />
<br />
So that brings us to Saturday, December 28th, the last game that the Coyotes would play against my Ducks in Anaheim during the regular season. (Did I mention I'm beyond peeved that they won't be here again and there's still half a season to go??) I switched my work shift that day so I could attend the game and do a little Yote hunting before the game.<br />
<br />
In the past, "hunting" wasn't necessary. Granted, practices at the Ponda have never been open to the public, but you used to be able to wait before and/or after practice to see the players. Now, thanks to a couple of idiots (I heard they were Sharks fans), people aren't allowed on the premises on gamedays... and that goes for the home team and the visiting team. While I know where the Coyotes stay when they visit Anaheim, I don't particularly like the idea of hanging around a hotel.<br />
<br />
The Coyotes aren't popular. Back when you were still allowed to wait at the Ponda on gamedays, there would only be a handful of fans waiting for them. I don't even think they were fans. Probably more like autograph hounds. Meh. There would be even less people at the hotel. There might actually have been a good chance that I'd be by myself.<br />
<br />
Either way, I got my Ducks fan friend C to join me. She was initially encouraged by the possibility of seeing her favorite Duck, a rookie staying at the same hotel, but I believe my Yotes grew on her just a little bit by the end of that day ;) There were three others with us: a dad and son trying to get a few pucks and cards signed, and another guy who obviously had done this many times before. He recognized all the players (even I have a hard time having rarely seen them outside of their gear) and wasn't afraid to call them over to where we were standing.<br />
<br />
I brought a pennant for the guys to sign, but my main goal was a picture with Antoine (this would be the first time I've ever gotten to speak to him), and delivery of a gift for Kyle. I hoped they wouldn't come out at exactly the same time because players hardly ever wait for you to finish something with somebody else. If you're not there and ready, they move on.<br />
<br />
Chippy came out towards the middle of our "hunt." Carrying a half-eaten apple, he posed for a picture with me and gladly accepted the gift I'd made him. C got a picture with him too.<br />
<br />
Note to self: another benefit of hotel squatting that I hadn't thought of, catching the guys on their way to the arena for a game means they'd be rested, dressed in suits, and smelling VERY NICE. <br />
<br />
When Vermette appeared, I was actually more nervous than I was expecting. Not Lombardi-nervous, thank goodness, but enough to feel uncomfortable. Haha. I'd already heard stories from Coyote friends about his engaging demeanor with fans, so that was encouraging. The stories were true. He spent time with all five of us out there, even though he was one of the last players to come out and would undoubtedly need to get to the bus quickly after. He gave me and C nice smiles for our pictures with him and, as he signed my pennant, I told him I'd made a sign for him for warmups. Another smile topped with a sexy French Canadian accent, "Oh yeah? I'll look for it!"<br />
<br />
Cloud Nine, people. Where else would I be? The Yote hunt was a smashing success.<br />
<br />
Then I had to figure out what to put on his sign. Ugh. I came up with something super cheesy, but hey, what are you gonna do. Especially if he's already told you he'll be looking for you. Chippy's sign was much easier: he was playing in his 400th career game that night. <br />
<br />
It didn't really matter. Remember what I said in my last post about warmup signs? My successful day just kept getting better. C wanted to stand with me on the visitor's side of the rink for warmups. I've never had company before, and she was wearing her Ducks jersey. Made no difference. Vermette saw us standing with the sign and flashed us both beautiful, heart-melting smiles. Repeatedly. My goodness, that boy knows how to work it. By the end of warmups, he had C wrapped around his little finger as well as myself.<br />
<br />
Chippy also read his sign and broke out into the hugest grin. I love making my boys happy.<br />
<br />
Everything had gone so well that day that I didn't even mind much that my Yotes dropped the game to my Ducks (giving up two goals to my favorite Finn Saku Koivu). Antoine Vermette had permanently solidified his position as my next favorite Coyote and player in general, as I've yet to find a next favorite Duck following Bobby's (and Lombo's) departure.<br />
<br />
The next notch in the timeline: my 4-day trip in January to Phoenix, already booked and eagerly anticipated. <br />
<br />
It's so nice to have a favorite player once again =)Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-75535717006396961062014-01-28T00:24:00.001-08:002014-02-05T03:59:57.154-08:00Position Open... Please Apply WithinI have a new favorite player.<br />
<br />
Although, the way I like to word it is: I have a NEXT favorite player.<br />
<br />
My favorites never stop being favorites. I'll always love Bobby Ryan and Matthew Lombardi and I'll always wish the best for them, their careers, and their families. But it's hard for me to make the continued time investment, the way I want to make it, without a player to emotionally invest in. And that player kinda has to be relatively easy for me to follow... a country and three time zones away (for Bobby) or halfway across the world (for Lombo) doesn't cut it.<br />
<br />
That's just how it works for me. There's a lot of things in this world to be involved in. And yeah, there has to be something in it for me if I'm going to take time and money away from other things to be a huge hockey fan. I mean, I love the game, don't get me wrong. But the feeling that someone appreciates the support you're giving them, that's the little extra I get from this which feels most rewarding beyond an entertainment level.<br />
<br />
So yes. My next favorite player. <br />
<br />
He wasn't with the Coyotes when I first started following them, during Lombardi's first stint with the team. But he was there during the 2nd. And he's been close to phenomenal this season, especially with Shane Doan needing to take care of his health and the near month of empty captaincy that resulted.<br />
<br />
Even now, Doan isn't 100%. When I saw him earlier this month, he looked tired. Dark circles under his eyes. He admitted he still felt the fatigue. Rocky Mountain Fever ain't no joke, people die from that! So while he gets his feet back under him, guys have stepped up.<br />
<br />
One of those guys is center Antoine Vermette. Honestly, I didn't notice him or pay much attention to him at the beginning of the season. I picked him up during my fantasy hockey draft because he has an excellent faceoff percentage, and the commish has a new FO category this season. As the season started, he was indeed good in the faceoff circle, but I also started to admire his work on the penalty kill.<br />
<br />
Not to mention, he has a penchant for speed on the breakaway. This is not unlike one of my other favorites... ahem, Lombo! (How do you think I first noticed him? A breakaway during a Flames-Duck game). Apparently, my taste is consistent! He also happens to be from Quebec (what's it with me and Quebec players anyway?), drafted the same year as Lombo, and... they even played on the Victoriaville Tigres together before making the big show.<br />
<br />
Almost seems like fate, right? But I digress...<br />
<br />
So he's vital on the PK. He's effective in the faceoff. He blocks shots and is willing to go into the dirty areas for deflections and rebounds. And he plays for the Coyotes so nobody knows who the hell he is. It just screams unsung hero... and you know what a sucker I am for that.<br />
<br />
Cut to December 21, 2013. Coyotes are playing the Ottawa Senators, in Ottawa. It's the team that initially drafted Vermette, and the team that now owns Bobby. Tongue in cheek, I hafta say the Senators kinda suck this year. Bobby's having a career season, but the rest of the guys... not so much. Except for maybe Kyle Turris, ex-Yote. Either way, it's a tight game between the Yotes and the Sens. This was during the time Doan was out and Vermette and Martin Hanzal wore 'A's on their sweaters. Vermette scores once, twice, and the game goes into OT. As the boys assembled briefly before the fourth period, I made the promise: "Coyotes, if you win this one, I'm getting a Vermette home jersey."<br />
<br />
I was probably going to anyway, as I've wanted a Coyotes home jersey for a while now and the branding will be different next season with the new ownership. I just couldn't decide who's name, if any, to get on the back. Whatever. I made the promise.<br />
<br />
And the hockey gods delivered. Not only did the Coyotes win, they did so with Vermette scoring the game-winning goal, in overtime, to complete his 2nd career hat-trick. FATE, right?? <br />
<br />
Next criteria, have you seen the guy??? My goodness, "blessed" is an understatement. That's not what I noticed first, but it's a nice touch to have on the resume!<br />
<br />
And finally, the true test. Are you fan-friendly and humble? Or do you know you're good and expect everyone else to know it too? Whenever the Coyotes visit the Ducks, I always attend warmups on the visitors side of the ice. Yes, the Ducks are my team, but I can see them at any and every home game I attend. My second favorite team only visits three times a season. So when the Yotes came to the Ponda for the game on November 6th, I had made a sign for warmups. It read: "Chippy and Vermette, my unsung heroes!"<br />
<br />
(If you want the background, I've always liked Kyle Chipchura. Got to know him through events with the Ducks, even though he didn't stay long. I was a little sad to see him go, but he's so much more appreciated in Phoenix... he gets ice time and they use his skill set much more effectively. So I'm happy for him. He couldn't quite reach that favorite player status with me, not sure why, but I still love to cheer him on. 4th line grinder, potential journeyman, you gotta give those guys love when you can. And he always reciprocates with big smiles, hello waves, and other signs of goofy recognition when he sees me.)<br />
<br />
Anyway, Chippy saw the sign and gave me a big smile. Satisfying, but expected. This was the first time I would acknowledge Vermette so I was interested to see how he'd receive the attention.<br />
<br />
It's always an almost nervous thing to be in this position. It's a unique fan experience that is both exciting and potentially heartbreaking at the same time. A moment of truth, you could say. I don't think I've truly gotten "used to" doing this, because I don't do it often, but I've done it enough that I don't really get as disappointed anymore when it doesn't work out.<br />
<br />
Probably the best state of mind to be in.<br />
<br />
You see, it could go one of three ways. 1) The player never sees the sign. Doesn't look at you, doesn't read your sign, doesn't acknowledge you're there. Or anyone else for that matter. Not a bad thing really, because a lot of guys use warmups to get focused on the game. They don't all look into the crowd or pay attention to signs cuz it could just as well be a heckling fan of the opposing team writing something not very nice. Don't need that kind of distraction going into a game. Although for me, if I realize a player is not one who pays any attention to fans or signs during warmups, I don't bother to try again with a sign for that player.<br />
<br />
Don't need to waste valuable real estate that way when someone else could get so much more out of your efforts.<br />
<br />
2) The player reads the sign, but chooses not to do anything to acknowledge it or the person holding the sign. There's a chance maybe he didn't see his name written on it. Maybe there's a language barrier. Maybe you wrote too much or too small and he couldn't actually read what you had to say. Possible excuses, but even still, you're left feeling a little foolish. And if you're me, that's pretty much a done deal.<br />
<br />
Mama didn't raise no fool.<br />
<br />
I mean, it doesn't take much to simply make eye contact with the sign holder. A quick smile or a nod is all it takes to make the entire endeavor successful. Anything more is just icing on the cake.<br />
<br />
And by "endeavor," it really is an endeavor on the part of the fan. A lot goes into planning a warmup sign. At least for me, it does, because there are only a limited number of games I can make warmups for. You have to get there early enough to secure a good spot along the glass. If you've done signs before, you know where you should stand to get the best chance of being seen. You have to plan out what you're going to say, because it needs to be big enough and succinct enough for someone to read quickly... while they're flying by you trying to juggle a puck. And don't even get me started on how awkward and cumbersome it can be to get a big piece of posterboard into the arena.<br />
<br />
It's an endeavor. And that's why it has to be worthwhile. I used to make a lot of signs. But I don't anymore. I've always needed something worthwhile to say, and that inspiration doesn't always come to me in time. Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked...<br />
<br />
3) The player reads the sign AND acknowledges it/you. This is obviously the best case scenario and can range anywhere from a quick nod, to a stick tap on the glass, to a smile or a wave, or even a puck thrown over the glass for you. Whatever it is, it'll make your day.<br />
<br />
When Antoine read the sign, I got a nice big smile from him. His beautiful face positively lit up. And he continued to flash me smiles as he circled the ice. 110% worth it. And I became actively aware that hey, I might have a next favorite Coyote on my hands!<br />
<br />
(This is turning into a much longer post than expected, so I'll continue a little later...)Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-43966474126872239342014-01-15T01:24:00.000-08:002014-01-15T01:46:49.516-08:00So... now what?Been a long time since writing here. I'm sure I don't have to explain why, but just in case you're new, let me put it in a nutshell for you:<br />
<br />
July 1, 2013: lost Matthew Lombardi to free agency. This one wasn't a surprise to me. He told me himself that he wouldn't be staying and, with a less than stellar record in his mere 7 games with the Ducks, I'm pretty sure they didn't want him back either. His skill set as a player would never work in this system. Just a bad fit.<br />
<br />
July 5, 2013: the Ducks trade Bobby Ryan to the Ottawa Senators. Despite years of trade rumors concerning Bobby, you're never really quite prepared for when it actually happens. At least, I wasn't. DEVASTATING is putting it mildly.<br />
<br />
And now, it's January 2014 and I've noticed a few things since the dust and tears have settled. <br />
<br />
Bobby Ryan was the reason I became a huge Anaheim Ducks fan. I'd watched games before and I'd cheered for the team before. But it wasn't until Bobby that I felt I had a real emotional connection to the game. This is just how it works for me. People point out that stupid cliche: "The name on the front [of the jersey] is more important than the name on the back." Well, that's all very good and fine for YOU as a fan, but for me, my fandom isn't rooted in teams. It's the struggle of the individual that generates my investment.<br />
<br />
My interest in his team and their success follows.<br />
<br />
It isn't new, I realize this is how it's always been for me. Why follow Matthew Lombardi from the Flames, to the Coyotes, to the Predators, to the Leafs, back to the Coyotes, and then to the Ducks? Not because I'm a fan of any of those teams, but because I'm a fan of the player first. I admire his game, I feel for the struggles he's had to go through to realize his dreams, I recognize the appreciation he has for his fans... these are the things that speak to me and make me want to see the guy succeed.<br />
<br />
That's all it is, and I don't know why other fans of these teams get so upset about it. Why do you care about my reasons for being a fan?? I'm buying the tickets and the merchandise, I'm supporting the team, who cares WHY? I don't care why you're a fan, you shouldn't care why I'm one either. In fact, I'll bet you that I'm spending more money on the team than you are, what with season tickets and charity events, so how about putting your money where your mouth is?<br />
<br />
Anyway, I digress...<br />
<br />
With Bobby, it was like a situation of perfect timing. I'd just began to notice the way he played. Lots of passion, drive, maybe a little sloppy, but with flashes of pure brilliance and talent that made me believe he would be a legend someday. I started to go out of my way to watch the Anaheim Ducks, especially once he started to break into the regular lineup. Then I read about his story, the one people seem to be just now finding out about now that he's in Ottawa and being exposed to a much larger hockey market.<br />
<br />
And then I actually met him in person. You couldn't meet a more humble, down-to-earth, fan-friendly athlete. Yeah, you can cheer for the name on the front of the jersey, but it's the name on the back that gives you a hug when he sees you. The name on the back asks how you are, how your family is, and is genuinely appreciative when you tell him you've become a huge hockey fan because of him. The name on the front is a team, but the name on the back is a FRIEND.<br />
<br />
Bobby's in Ottawa now, and as much as I try to watch Senators games and keep track of how he's doing, it's not easy to do from the opposite coast. Time differences land every Senators home game while I'm at work. Not to mention, there's very little local hockey news out here anyway, more or less a team in a different country. I haven't been able to really speak to him since he left, but I've been to a few of his games and he has let me know he appreciates it. He's having the season of his career out there and I'm so happy to see that he's being warmly embraced by the fans there.<br />
<br />
Matthew Lombardi left the NHL entirely, and has been spending this season playing on the other side of the world in the Swiss league. And I thought it was hard keeping track of him in Phoenix! He's the point-scoring leader for his team which, I hope, is restoring his confidence. No doubt spending the last season on three different NHL teams was hard for him.<br />
<br />
So this season has felt really different for me. Still watching Ducks games, and Coyotes games (one of Lombo's teams did rub off on me), but it's definitely a different feeling not having that extra investment. Maybe it's that I'm used to being more emotionally involved, and now it's just "normal." Whatever the reason, doesn't lead me any closer to knowing what I should do with this blog!<br />
<br />
<br />Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-8841090852997420282013-07-07T11:12:00.001-07:002013-07-07T11:12:32.038-07:00End of an era<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUVJqZOBbQO5omWcBBQECjiFKy1KQibwMx4dFM2T1N6nRlCEw4MP61Jx4Y6-qdSW5MnOilSuoQx4ekJ9jt-pvm4u6f6QzSZwwb50nZWTEPoKS-_9VW4mUIkucl8xM-TEAb1HEnq7T/s1600/1005947_10151756462809808_1175026675_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUVJqZOBbQO5omWcBBQECjiFKy1KQibwMx4dFM2T1N6nRlCEw4MP61Jx4Y6-qdSW5MnOilSuoQx4ekJ9jt-pvm4u6f6QzSZwwb50nZWTEPoKS-_9VW4mUIkucl8xM-TEAb1HEnq7T/s640/1005947_10151756462809808_1175026675_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-35664030277165259122013-05-20T00:47:00.001-07:002013-05-20T00:47:42.279-07:00The sad story of Matthew Lombardi<div dir="ltr">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">"So... why Matthew Lombardi? What's the deal with that?"</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Based on the very few games Ducks fans have seen Lombardi play with this team, you might wonder why I would target him as a favorite player. I mean, he hasn't exactly had a chance to show what he's capable of... and it doesn't help that he's been playing with an injury since the week after we acquired him!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But actually, my history with Lombardi goes way back, even before Bobby Ryan got his big break.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I first started going to Ducks games, I didn't know enough about the team to have favorite players. I mean, I recognized certain players' names from off the radio - Scott Niedermayer, Giguere, Teemu Selanne - but I couldn't watch games on TV (long story for another day) and radio doesn't give you much more than play-by-play and audio interviews.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So my first Duck games were, ironically enough, against the Calgary Flames. I don't know why, I guess those were just the tickets that happened to be available. I only saw two games during the first half of the '08-'09 season, and they were both against the Flames. As thrilling as it was to see the Ducks live, my eye was also caught by a speedy little forward in a Calgary Flames sweater.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I watched him score on us on a breakaway, and I watched him speed around our defenders, deftly handling the puck like it was glued to his stick. '#18 is pretty fast, who is he?'</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">According to the program, #18 was Matthew Lombardi. Hmm!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the next couple of weeks, I curiously Googled and YouTubed the Montreal native, and learned he had been quite the rookie sensation. Drafted in the 3rd round by the Flames in 2002, he scored a hat-trick and multiple shorthanded goals his rookie year, and was a Calder nominee. He was the Canadian point leader (6 goals, 6 assists) in the 2007 IIHF World Championships, helping Team Canada win the gold.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also learned that he was the recipient of a nasty elbow to the head, thanks to a Red Wing during the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs. The injury kept him off the ice for many months. Sadly, it would be the first in a long line of concussions and upper-body injuries. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In interviews, he was reserved, but warm... engaging, good-natured, with a sweet smile that melted my heart. Just a really honest, hard-working guy with a skating finesse I'd never seen before. I instantly took a liking to him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And later that season he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, a mere 6-hour drive from the Ponda. I adopted the Yotes as my second team, and drove out to my first PHX game in the fall of 2009 (home opener vs CBJ). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In March of 2010, I met Lombardi for the first time, thanks to a Phoenix friend who offered me a VIP ticket to the Coyotes Carnival, an annual fundraiser that got rescheduled to the weekend that I just happened to be in Phoenix for a Ducks-Yotes game. I remember shaking as my friend introduced me to him: "She's from California, but she's a Coyotes fan and you're her favorite player." He smiled shyly, signed the picture I'd brought, and posed for a picture with me. My friend teased me afterwards, but I didn't care. I was on cloud nine!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lombardi had a great year with the Coyotes, centering the top line with fellow speedster Scottie Upshall and captain Shane Doan. Together, Lombardi and Upshall were unstoppable. Lombo had one of his best seasons, going 19-34-53 in 78 games played, topped by a run in the post-season. Undoubtedly his success helped him land a lucrative contract with the Nashville Predators when he hit the market as a free agent that summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, I bought tickets to every Ducks-Predators game at the Ponda that season, even though I hated the Ducks chances against the Preds. Remember, this was the season following the Ducks departure from the playoffs at the expense of one Pekka Rinne... the last thing I wanted to do was see more of him! But I did it for Lombo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then he suffered another horrible hit which cost him the entire season after playing just 2 preseason games with Nashville.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was never as easy to follow Lombo outside of Phoenix. Nobody had anything to report, except that he wasn't playing. When he got traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and scored the game-winning goal in his first game with them, I hoped he'd found his was back to on-ice success. When Toronto traded him back to Phoenix, I was ecstatic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He's back!!! Thanks to the lockout, the newly-formed condensed schedule allowed me to spend five days in Yotes country, with three ANA-PHX games to enjoy. There was another injury, a shoulder that would have him out 4-6 weeks. I held my breath and was thankful when he recovered faster than projected, which meant he'd be playing during those ANA-PHX games.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It had been three years since our first and only "conversation," but this time I was able to tell him how happy I was that he had returned to Phoenix. He was thankful, and happily signed the Coyotes jersey which bore his number from his first stint in PHX. He was now wearing #8 (ironically, Scottie Upshall's old number), but signed my jersey with the appropriate #15.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Yotes won the two games played in PHX in overtime (Lombo scored in the first and assisted on a goal in the second), and the Ducks won the game played back in ANA. But even with those points, Lombardi wasn't playing nearly as well as Phoenix had hoped he would.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Surprise of all surprises, the Ducks acquired him less than a month later in a trade that sent Brandon McMillan to PHX.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I knew the Ducks were looking for a second-line center, and I had even jokingly tweeted about picking up Lombardi the day before, but I never thought in my wildest dreams that it would actually happen. I was looking through the clothing racks at Marshalls for discounted hockey threads when my phone blew up with texts and tweets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was actually quite overwhelming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking back now, I sorta wish I had been alone in my excitement. I'm pretty sure 99% of the Twitter Duck fan attention given to him and his subsequent play wouldn't have happened if these fans hadn't already heard of him through me. It made it difficult to handle his slow start in Anaheim, but it was more difficult watching the Ducks coaching staff attempt to fit a round peg into a square hole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Ducks play a grinding, dump-and-chase game. Forwards dump pucks into the offensive zone and chase them down, battling in corners to try to regain possession. I can imagine this system is particularly frustrating if you're not a physical forward. If Lombardi had ever been a grinding, cycling, hitting forward, he definitely wasn't anymore with his injury/concussion history. His game is one of speed, puck-handling, finding open ice and dashing into the offensive zone while controlling the puck. Nowadays, he goes out of his way to avoid contact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And while Lombo usually held his own in the faceoff circle, his percentages were pretty abysmal those first few games in Anaheim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It didn't help that my Ducks had all but clinched a playoff berth and were playing some of the laziest offensive games ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It didn't help that the defense couldn't seem to connect a stretch pass through neutral ice if their lives depended on it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It didn't help that Lombo's shoulder either didn't heal properly, or was reinjured, only one week after his acquisition--which would help explain his faceoff slump. I had suspected he might have been injured, because every time I happened to catch him after morning skate, it was because he was the last player to leave. Must've been receiving treatment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He had been excited about coming to a team in playoff contention, but he spent the post-season watching playoffs from the press box as a scratch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Either way, I know he's not happy here. As much as I want him to stay, I would rather he be with a team that knows how to utilize his skills. I've said before that he has maybe five years at most, left in the NHL... and I want those to be happy years for him. He's a hockey player, he wants to play, and I want to see him play. I thoroughly enjoyed Lombardi's time as an Anaheim Duck and I'm glad I got the opportunity to see him play here and to spend time with him at a charity event. I'll always remember that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*bottom photo by Jenelyn Russo</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wherever you're off to next, Lombo, I'll be cheering for you. And I'll see you the next time your team passes through Anaheim.</span></div>
Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-23318255654298753662013-05-16T16:31:00.001-07:002014-01-28T00:52:45.167-08:00Closure, sweet closureSo... it's been a while! I've played with the idea of coming back to write in this blog more times than you can imagine, but... well, I'm a perfectionist. And I'm also really lazy. So if I can't write something pretty close to perfect on the first draft, I'm unlikely to write anything at all.<br />
<br />
Yes, excuses, I know.<br />
<br />
But things have been happening in my little hockey world that I'd love to be able to look back on and remember. Things that might not matter to most people, but to me, on that day, they are my world.<br />
<br />
Then I start thinking about the things that happened say, a few games ago, and how I would have loved to have written them down. And then I start thinking that I shouldn't make my first post in over a year a gigantic recap... cuz who really wants to read or write that?? And well, you see how it goes.<br />
<br />
More excuses.<br />
<br />
So let's just jump right in here. With the great little hockey things that happened today. And just today.<br />
<br />
My Ducks are out of the playoffs. Detroit beat them in a game 7, and it wasn't even close. Like many of my hockey friends, I was stunned. It's that thing that happens to every sports fan at some point: the team you've rallied behind all season, the team you've rearranged your work and social schedules around, the team you were so looking forward to watching in the playoffs... they lose. And it's over. And your offseason begins.<br />
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And you wake up the next morning feeling like everything has just become so pointless.<br />
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What tears me up most is watching the players on the bench, on the ice, in the handshake line. Even if it isn't my team, I get teary and emotional because you know how hard they worked to get there. In the case of my Ducks, they put together such a fantastic regular season. So many franchise records matched and broken, so many guys trying to be the hero. I wanted to give each one of them a hug and thank him for giving us fans such a treat.<br />
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Especially the veterans. Don't even get me started on what I felt for Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne. Or guys that I'm fairly certain won't be back with us next season; my favorite Matthew Lombardi, in particular.<br />
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I needed to do something about the horrible feeling of despair that was so much more intense this time than in seasons past. So I made some signs.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKjHH3jZlJUERe0nLraDYgQJjYp7X4gyc9Hk4QpCHHXyuMOzZfPT3ibPz3KcZ84iWXePl04LhDo6yQIJBS4-jJrY9mc8OwgpoI9tFqipRvKt-mFA_Ek6CPcVHB9jQcZcNAfu821Bd/s1600/bobbysign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKjHH3jZlJUERe0nLraDYgQJjYp7X4gyc9Hk4QpCHHXyuMOzZfPT3ibPz3KcZ84iWXePl04LhDo6yQIJBS4-jJrY9mc8OwgpoI9tFqipRvKt-mFA_Ek6CPcVHB9jQcZcNAfu821Bd/s320/bobbysign.jpg" /></a><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAhrfooP8OigGpnSL4vu0nvEuUJ4B6LwGVujtX8hThv7oFEtQ7_zVvUxKRcybh4LI3dtAlaE0rZl7694Xpzi1xcNyTwrjkur4Dve9z0Zkfe0VWqB9dnFKomluT6H6ffGIpzrpE89C/s320/signs.jpg" /><!--3--><br />
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Yes, they might be considered silly, but I do these for me as much as I do them for the players.<br />
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And I taped them up on the cyclone fence that borders the construction site at the South entrance of the Honda Center. My hope was that the guys might see them as they came in for exit interviews the next day. The Bobby sign actually didn't go up that day. I had run out of poster board and made it on paper instead. Upon arriving at HC, I realized the sign wasn't going to survive unless it was a poster board.<br />
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You bet I thought about it all day at work and pondered the possibility of going back the next morning with a poster board. I rescheduled a doctor's appointment so I'd be able to go before my work shift. The things I do for Bobby. Seriously!<br />
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As it turned out, it was a good thing I went back!! There was a small group of people hanging around the usual spot, waiting for players. I wasn't initially planning to hang out, but I took my Bobby sign and the gift I'd made Teemu Selanne (JUST IN CASE) cuz you never know. I parked, taped Bobby's sign up with the others, and then turned around... right into Matthew Lombardi.<br />
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Stunned. Speechless. The usual, only worse considering I completely wasn't expecting him.<br />
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"Hey there! How are you? How's it going?" Lombo is always so kind when he sees me. I always forget the multitude of things I want to say to him. All I can manage is a hi, I'm good, and how are you back. I wanted to ask if he was injured cuz, well, I'd been wondering...<br />
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Ugh.<br />
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"Kinda sucks with playoffs over, but you know, hanging in there," I try to put together a few coherent words. He nods and looks as uncomfortably shy as I feel. The usual.<br />
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"Well," I push on, not wanting him to leave. "I wish you'd gotten more ice time, I mean, I really wanted to see you play... do you think... you might want to stay?"<br />
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"Nah," he looks down at his feet, "it didn't work out... But I know I'll see you around," and he gave me a shy smile.<br />
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"That's too bad, I loved having you here for what, like 3 games?" I joked and he laughed, "yeah." "But you know I'll see you in the next city."<br />
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He smiled, "for sure," and gave me a hug.<br />
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"Oh, and if I'd known I was going to run into you today, I would have brought the jersey!"<br />
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*sigh* It almost seems a tease to have him here for such a short time. But I want him to be happy. And I know he isn't happy being benched all the time. The dump and chase, cycle and grind system doesn't work for him. So, I hope Lombo returns to Phoenix, where he has fans and a coaching staff that knows how to utilize his talents. And good friends like Shane Doan, whose family I know is close with his.<br />
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And I'll still be able to see him, unlike when he went to Toronto.<br />
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Anyway.<br />
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I visit Bob, bringing him some Starbucks I'd picked up along the way. Don't get a chance to chat long, but that's okay, I'm not staying. I wander outside for a few minutes, watching Viktor Fasth, Daniel Winnik, and a few others make their way out. I try not to be seen by players that I'm not actively wanting to interact with... just something I've noticed I do.<br />
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And then I hear someone say, "Teemu!" Perfect. A small line of fans forms next to him, allowing him to make his way from person to person, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Teemu is always so sweet about this, giving everyone a few seconds of his time. I stand at the end of the line, and as he finishes with the person in front of me and his eyes focus on mine, I smile and hand him his gift.<br />
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"I made this for you," I say, steadily and evenly because Teemu has never made me tongue-tied. Don't know why. "It's just a little something to say thank you. I hope you come back next year, but if you don't, thank you so much, for everything."<br />
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A grin slowly spreads across his face as he looks at the gift, probably remembering exactly when those pictures were taken. I understand he has a great memory for those things. "Thank you," he says, and then reaches over for a hug. As his left arm draws me in, I feel him give me a kiss over my right ear. "Thank you for this."<br />
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You're so welcome, Teemu. These are the moments I love. To make them as happy as they've made me... you can't put a price on that.<br />
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After Teemu leaves, I contemplate if I should stay any longer. Mission accomplished, so to speak. And then I see Bobby Ryan heading my direction, signing a few things for fans. He sees me and his face lights up, "Hey Christina!"<br />
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Even after nearly four years of friendship, it's still exciting that he knows my name.<br />
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He gives me a hug and asks how things are. I know he doesn't usually like to talk hockey, so I don't bring it up. "Getting close," I tell him, "Five more months!"<br />
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"Wow, that is close! So you know, I think it's gonna happen this weekend. I'm gonna do it this weekend."<br />
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"Oh my gosh, really?? That's so great!"<br />
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"Yeah, I just can't figure out... like, I'm trying to plan it. Should I pop the question here or in Idaho?"<br />
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"Idaho would be nice," I said, "Quiet and you guys can soak it in..."<br />
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"That's what I thought, but then I know she's gonna want to be on the phone telling everyone... and reception isn't that great out there... And I'd like her mom to be there..."<br />
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"In that case, do it here. Before you guys leave for Idaho," I say. "I'm so excited for you! Does she have any idea?"<br />
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"No, she doesn't, so mums the word! But it's been hard cuz she keeps asking about it... and I'm avoiding it even more cuz I already know I'm gonna do it, you know? I think she's going to be surprised." Bobby is all grins as he's telling me this. I love how excited he is.<br />
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I wink at him, "you know, I've always liked her. I'm glad you're puttin' a ring on this one!"<br />
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"Yeah," he jokes, "she's good for me."<br />
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"Well, let me know how it goes!" He gives me another hug and is on his way.<br />
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I'm just getting over Bobby's news as Luca Sbisa comes through. Another big hug. I only get hugs from certain players, but those are the special ones that I know remember me. Today Luca smells like heaven, by the way. "Thanks for such a great season!" I tell him. "Ah, thank YOU for all of your support!"<br />
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That's what fans do, Luca.<br />
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And what do I find out later in the day? Team injury pressor: "Trade deadline pickup Matthew Lombardi may require surgery on his left shoulder after being diagnosed with an ailment a week after he was acquired by the Ducks."<br />
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Bingo.<!--3--><!--3--><!--3--><!--3-->Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-13950170746130209442011-12-01T18:15:00.000-08:002011-12-01T19:10:02.133-08:00Boudreau's first practiceThe last 24 hours have been nothing but a whirlwind for the Anaheim Ducks and their fans. Who would believe we'd follow up last night's win against the Montreal Canadiens with an official announcement that coach Randy Carlyle was fired and freshly-relieved ex-Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau hired in his place?<br /><br />And that Bruce was already in Anaheim to lead the team on their first practice the next morning??<br /><br />Wow.<br /><br />The practice was open to the public and, since I didn't have to be at the job that pays the bills, I grabbed my camera and headed down to Anaheim Ice. The ABC and NBC newsvans in the parking lot were a tip off that the press conference that would follow the practice would be a big deal. Indeed, there were quite a few media people milling about the rink, and only a handful of fans.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5680.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Boudreau's first practice with the boys at Anaheim Ice</em><br /><br />My first order of business, making sure Bobby Ryan was still on the team!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5684.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ryan Getzlaf (left), Nate Guenin, and Bobby</em><br /><br />Boudreau had Bobby back on a line with Getzlaf and Corey Perry, and a second line consisting of Saku Koivu, Teemu Selanne, and Matt Beleskey.<br /><br />For now, I suppose the Bobby Ryan trade rumors will die down. GM Bob Murray will see what Boudreau can do with the players. But if we can't get some wins, Bobby might end up back on the trade block. Even he agreed that, with his multiple-year contract, he's more trade-able than guys like Getzy or Corey Perry. Personally, I think Bobby is the more versatile player as well, and many teams would love trying him out on their top lines.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5674.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>The practice session had Boudreau addressing a lot of the players in small groups</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5722.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5697.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ducks bring on assistant coach Brad Lauer (far left) who was the Syracuse Crunch's assistant coach</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5688.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />I like how vocal Boudreau was with the players. It definitely sounded like there was a lot of teaching, directing, COACHING, going on.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5687.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Goalie coach Pete Peeters worked individually with Jonas Hiller (and his black mask)...</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5691.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>... and backup Jeff Deslauriers</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5682.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />At the end of practice, the guys were actually laughing and cheering and having some fun. Look at those smiles!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5726.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5729.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/12-01-2011%20Boudreau%201st/DSCF5727.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />I feel hopeful, for the first time in a long time. Can't wait to see what a new coaching staff can do for our players.Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-39018254203473293502011-11-28T02:47:00.000-08:002011-12-01T19:13:19.403-08:00Ducks vs Toronto Maple LeafsI have a coworker whose father has been a Ducks season ticket holder since day 1. He doesn't go to games anymore, but he still has his seats which get divided up by various family members at the beginning of every season.<br /><br />My coworker graciously allows us to buy occasional seats at face value. Tonight's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs (aka the Anaheim Ducks of Toronto) is the first of six that I'm splitting with another coworker. I chose this game for one reason: Matthew Lombardi. Haven't seen Lombo live on the ice in almost two years (he spent last season with the Nashville Predators and, thanks to a concussion he received in early October, he missed all of his team's games against the Ducks). <br /><br />And I was stuck with tickets to every Predator-Duck game.<br /><br />So now Lombo is with the Leafs and he's recovered from that concussion. BUT, he suffered a shoulder injury last week and has been out on IR. ARGH.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5602.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />One of these days, Lombo, I WILL see you again.<br /><br />At least reason number two for getting this game was still valid: my seat buddy is a big Joffrey Lupul fan. Loops didn't leave the Ducks on a good note so we're expecting him to pour the heat on tonight.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5603.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />It's amazing what kind of season Lupul has had with the Leafs. He went on record and exposed the cold reception he'd received from Coach Carlyle upon returning to the Ducks' lineup after his back surgery and blood infection. We knew he'd have plenty to prove tonight.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5587.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Please Loops, have mercy</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5628.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Lost, also, in the Lupul trade was promising rookie Jake Gardiner. I'm still upset about that, the kid had major potential</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5588.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Leafs goalies, rookie Ben Scrivens and veteran Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5591.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Of course, we'd get The Monster tonight</em><br /><br />We badly need a win. The Ducks are on a six-game losing streak and you can feel the tension on the bench. The boys started the game determined, and we even scored first.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5619.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ducks celebrate after Francois Beauchemin's winning rocket down the slot</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5598.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Playing aggressively the entire night, Lupul threw his weight around as he checked and pushed Ducks on their way back to the bench</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5617.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Rough night for Sheldon Brookbank who took a puck to the face and got tripped and run over behind the net</em><br /><br />Once the Leafs started scoring, a dark cloud came over the Ducks' bench. It was as if the players were collectively saying, "Oh dear God no, not again..." You could see the disappointment on their faces, in their body language, in the lack of energy.<br /><br />It was heartbreaking.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5630.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Feel free, Ducks fans, to print this one out and fit it to your favorite dartboard, punching bag, etc...</em><br /><br />Honestly, and this is just my opinion, I'm not a GM or coach nor do I ever want to have that kind of job hanging over my head, but I don't believe anyone on the bench is hearing Carlyle anymore. He was remarkably quiet during this game. I've previously seen him yelling, barking orders, planning plays during commercial breaks and the like. Tonight's game was different.<br /><br />On the other hand, I loved how assistant coach Mike Foligno would pat guys on the shoulder after they got off the ice. He would lean his head to them and give them a few words when they took a seat back on the bench. Whether it was encouragement or constructive criticism, it just looked like a connection with someone who cares.<br /><br />This is the guy I want to be our head coach. Look what he did with our PK, imagine what else he could do.<br /><br />Our boys look lost and disheartened. They need guidance.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5631.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Teemu Selanne deserves better in his final season</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5640.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Bobby Ryan: I guess I'm the pink elephant in the room...</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-27-2011%20vs%20Leafs/DSCF5643.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Corey Perry's absolutely beautiful top shelf snap shot goal was easily lost in the Ducks' defeat</em><br /><br />I don't know, Ducks fans. Something needs to happen, and I really don't believe it involves trading off our multiple-year 30+ goal scorers. But that's just me.Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-57236955079025611582011-11-26T00:45:00.000-08:002011-11-26T12:48:20.921-08:00Ducks vs Chicago BlackhawksSomething different for this post?<br /><br />No, we still lost.<br /><br />But I'm going to do a little something I don't do much of around here anymore, and that's write. It's been hard to do much posting... I mean, it's always hard to write about losses. But this season's string of losses (the last time we won one was 11/11 and I was out of the country that night) has gotten even the most faithful of Duck fans frustrated.<br /><br />Is it the players?<br /><br />Is it the coaching staff?<br /><br />Is it the head coach?<br /><br />Is it the GM?<br /><br />Or any combination of the above? The answers are probably in the locker room, at every intermission, at every practice, after every game. But we fans are pretty much in the dark, with only our own speculations and rumors to go off of.<br /><br />And the rumors have been kinda nasty. Maybe a key player will get traded off. Maybe a bunch of young talent will go with him. Maybe a majority of the team will be disassembled before the coaching staff is touched.<br /><br />I've heard rumors that Bobby Ryan may be on the trading block, with Toronto and Buffalo interested. Ugh. If that happens, either Toronto or Buffalo will be getting a new fan, much the same as I've followed center Matthew Lombardi from Calgary to Phoenix to Nashville, and now to Toronto.<br /><br />But who's to say?<br /><br />All I know is that I've seen too many games where the same tired, unconfident team takes the ice. I've seen too many dump and chase maneuvers fall flat. Too many leads lost when the offense disappears and the defense fails to achieve. Too many players waste their skills on plays and styles that don't suit them. <br /><br />And it's so hard to see this happen. <br /><br />I feel so horrible for Teemu Selanne, who came back for one more year but might not even see a postseason. This is no way for Selanne to end his career. I feel horrible for the goalies, who might put in a perfect game save the fact that they cannot score all of the team's goals in addition to protecting their nets. I feel horrible for the young guys who are trying so hard, but whose development is undoubtedly being stunted by everything going on around them.<br /><br />And I feel horrible for us fans who paid to helplessly watch this happen night in and night out.<br /><br />Please, comments are welcomed.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-20-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Red%20Wing/DSCF5280.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ellis: "Dude, you don't EVEN know the half of it..."</em>Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-5553263030049421512011-11-21T00:21:00.000-08:002011-11-26T00:35:33.567-08:00Ducks vs Detroit Red WingsAnother loss. Not much else to say, just some pictures to share.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-20-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Red%20Wing/DSCF5557.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Check out Dan Ellis' new mask, inspired by the Ducks tradition of honoring one of our soldiers at every home game</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-20-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Red%20Wing/DSCF5553a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Newly acquired off waivers from Calgary, defenseman Niklas Hagman. (Please save us?)</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-20-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Red%20Wing/DSCF5565.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Corey Perry in his usual spot next to the opposing goaltender, waiting for pucks to tip in</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-20-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Red%20Wing/DSCF5567.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Captain Ryan Getzlaf concentrating at the faceoff</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/11-20-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Red%20Wing/DSCF5569.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Pavel Datsyuk, the one Red Wing I can't hate because he's just so damn silky smooth</em>Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-20145170958743140802011-10-21T23:27:00.000-07:002011-10-27T23:34:46.218-07:00Ducks vs Dallas StarsWhen the Stars get a fluky puck past Jonas Hiller a mere 13 seconds into the game, you kinda know things might not go the Ducks' way. Throw in a lackluster effort and an underrated Stars team flying on the shoulders of a hot goalie in Kari Lehtonen, and it was pretty much doomed from the first puck drop.<br /><br />And don't even get me started on the officiating!<br /><br />Believe it or not, there were some notable moments in tonight's game. We'll try to focus on those.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-21-2011%20vs%20Stars/DSCF5237.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />It was Hockey Fights Cancer night at the Ponda, and the Ducks wore special stamps on their helmets in support for cancer charities. Thanks, Andrew Gordon, for modeling<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-21-2011%20vs%20Stars/DSCF5265.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />Cue the ceremonial puck drop<br /><br />Francois Beauchemin looked no worse for wear after taking a puck to the visor and luckily ending up with only a compression laceration.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-21-2011%20vs%20Stars/DSCF5251.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />Defenseman Kurtis Foster from Edmonton had been cleared for play. <br /><br />He'd be a healthy scratch in tonight's contest, but it was great to see him out there. I'm definitely curious to see what this guy can do.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-21-2011%20vs%20Stars/DSCF5239.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-21-2011%20vs%20Stars/DSCF5266.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />A long awaited Duck goal was waived off when Perry was penalized for goaltender interference<br /><br />Our boys actually got many opportunities to score. They were outshooting the Stars from the beginning, but just couldn't get anything past Lehtonen.<br /><br />I have to admit, I was impressed by this goalie.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-21-2011%20vs%20Stars/DSCF5269.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />Lehtonen's impression of a stone wall. For what it's worth, Perry was the only Duck goal of the game<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-21-2011%20vs%20Stars/DSCF5241.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />Ryan Getzlaf also impressed with some fancy stickwork<br /><br />I do think Getzy looks a heck of a lot better this season than last. More fit, more determined, and with a new sense of maturity, he seems more suited to captain this team. Maybe being a new daddy has something to do with that.<br /><br />Anyway, the winning streak had to end some time. The Ducks have still broken franchise records and started things off on a good note. Let's forget this one and move on to Phoenix!Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-27907728378746210162011-10-15T03:27:00.000-07:002011-10-20T03:51:10.686-07:00Ducks vs San Jose Sharks, Home OpenerAfter spending the first two games of the season abroad in Europe, our Ducks got a few days of rest and relaxation to get over any jet lag before tonight's home opener against the San Jose Sharks. As is customary with home openers, the Ducks rolled out a "Blue Carpet" so that the fans could welcome back their boys in Hollywood star fashion.<br /><br />Hey, we're a Southern California hockey team, okay?<br /><br />Unfortunately, I was working the job that pays the bills, so I couldn't get any pictures from the Blue Carpet, but I did get a few from the game itself.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-08-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Sharks/DSCF5156.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>There was live music pre-game (I forget the name of the band)</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-08-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Sharks/DSCF5163.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Big smiles from Captain Ryan Getzlaf during warmups. Heck, everyone was happy to be back!</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-08-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Sharks/DSCF5166.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Notice the "24" patch being worn by all the Ducks in tribute to fallen former Duck Ruslan Salei</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-08-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Sharks/DSCF5164.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Rookie Maxime Macenauer would be the only player to tally a goal in tonight's contest</em><br /><br />Keep an eye on this kid. I've liked Maxie since last season, when he was the last of the rookies to be sent down to minors. The boy is very good in the faceoff dot.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-08-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Sharks/DSCF5165.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>What a relief! This would be Toni Lydman's first game back since shoulder surgery during the off-season</em><br /><br />The Ducks had a rousing opening video thanking the fans and welcoming us back to the Ponda for a new season of Ducks hockey. The opening ceremony involved the boys entering the rink through the zamboni tunnel, backlit by smoke and red lighting.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-08-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Sharks/DSCF5178.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>MVP Corey Perry was welcomed onto the rink by a standing ovation</em><br /><br />The game itself was awesome. I still believe the rivalry between the Sharks and the Ducks makes both teams play all the harder. You really do get the best performances from both. And Hiller? Have no fear, Hiller the Shark Killer is back. He earned his first shutout of the season, 20th in his career.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/10-08-2011%20Ducks%20vs%20Sharks/DSCF5190.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>The boys celebrate a win with Hiller, number one star of the game</em><br /><br />Our D looked a complete 180 from this time last season. With most of the guys returning, it definitely shows that they are all comfortable playing together again.<br /><br />The offense is taking a bit longer to gel, but with two strong scoring lines, and possibly three... it's only a matter of time.<br /><br />The Sharks fans in attendance (I heard there were busloads of them that came in for this game) were extremely loud. For once, we Duck fans showed them up. I've honestly never heard the Ponda that loud before during a non-playoff game. It was awesome!!<br /><br />Ducks hockey is back!!Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-23858962168747614362011-09-29T00:33:00.000-07:002011-10-26T18:10:19.316-07:00Ducks vs Vancouver CanucksYes, 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.<br /><br />I'm still liking what I've seen with Gordon as well as Maxime Macenauer, hoping they continue their strong strides for roster spots.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />This is hockey afterall, right??Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-2333604479404562712011-09-20T01:15:00.000-07:002011-09-20T01:35:23.755-07:00Training Camp 2011I'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!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0130.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Jason Blake, Igor Bobkov, and Devante Smith-Pelly</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0134.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0138.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Listening to instructions from coach Carlyle</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0139.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Dan Ellis stops a bid assisted by newly drafted Richard Rakell</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0142.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0147.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>MVPerry is ready for his close-up</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0150.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Back again for another training camp, Sheldon Brookbank</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0153.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0154.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Captain Ryan Getzlaf</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0156.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Chit-chatting between Perry and Getzlaf</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0160.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Luca Sbisa and, in the background, Finnish goaltender Iiro Tarkki</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0161.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Tarkki with a great save</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0163.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Smith-Pelly and Sbisa</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0171.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Dan Sexton and Jason Blake</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0172.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Promising defenseman Jake Newton</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0174.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Igor Bobkov takes a break</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0181.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0191.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Rakell watches Mathieu Carle in a relay</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0199.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Bobby Ryan</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0200.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Jonas Hiller stretching out</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0202.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Speedy newcomer from Edmonton, Andrew Cogliano</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0208.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Matt Beleskey and Saku Koivu</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0210.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Teemu Selanne tries to get one past Hiller</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0214.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0215.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Also from Edmonton, Jeff Deslauriers</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0219.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0220.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Bobby listening to the coaches as they set up a drill</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0221.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Rookie Joseph Cramarossa</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0224.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0232.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Cam Fowler signing autographs</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0233.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ryan Getzlaf hung out and signed autographs and took pictures with everyone</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0237.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Much to our amusement, Bobby picked up a bunch of rookie "Ducklings" and offered them a ride to their hotel</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0240.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Francois Beauchemin signing an autograph</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/09-17-2011%20Training%20Camp/IMG_0241.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Fan favorites George Parros and Teemu "one more" Selanne</em>Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-15514736577216009492011-09-12T23:34:00.000-07:002011-09-13T03:56:09.870-07:003rd Annual Anaheim Ducks In a RollWhat's quickly becoming a very popular preseason event, the 3rd annual Anaheim Ducks in a Roll took place tonight at RA Sushi in Tustin. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/?action=view&current=IMG_0013.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0013.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><em>The calm before the storm</em><br /><br />Arriving early didn't help much. Everyone was there early!<br /><br />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. <br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0063.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Fans eagerly awaiting</em><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Streamlined from last year, premade rolls were ready to go before the boys learned how to make them</em><br /><br />Year after year, the players have a lot of fun with this event. And the fans do too. Let's look at some pictures!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Andrew Cogliano learning how to make his roll</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0120.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Cogs: "So, how do I start?"</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Getting heckled by Gezlaf, although Getzy did admit Cogs' roll was pretty good</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0081.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0109.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Cogs presenting the "Breakaway" roll</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0039.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>"Breakaway" roll: yellowtail, spicy albacore, avocado and cucumber, drizzled with garlic ponzu and sriracha and topped with a slice of jalapeno</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Getzlaf taking note of his available ingredients. No poutine, eh?</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0072.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Bobby Ryan and Getzlaf discussing the finer points of sticky rice</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0114.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>All three Ducks hard at work</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ducks fan and winner with the highest bid, $550, Jeff Banner</em><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0101.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Getzy learning how to make his roll, the "Captain Crunch" roll</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0112.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>What a pro!</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0121.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0084.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Getzy presenting his roll to the fans</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0105.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Getzy's "Captain Crunch" roll: spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, cucumber, and crunchy tempura bits, with a chili ponzu dipping sauce</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0059.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Bobby learning how to make his roll, the "Hat Trick" roll</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0077.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Bobby: "We don't actually come up with the names or ingredients in these..."</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0111.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0067.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0079.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Bobby presenting his finished roll</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0076.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>The "Hat Trick" roll: salmon, spicy mayo, avocado and cucumber inside; crab mix and mango salsa outside</em><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0119.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Getzlaf walked away with the fan favorite vote...</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0122.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>... but it was Cogliano and his "Breakaway" roll that won the judging</em><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/9-12-2011%20Ducks%20Sushi/IMG_0096.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>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..."</em><br /><br />As always, a fun event!Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-27378697466962848742011-09-07T21:18:00.000-07:002011-09-10T23:50:21.197-07:00RIP Ruslan "Rusty" SaleiThis morning, a plane carrying KHL team Lokomotiv from Yaroslavl to Minsk, Belarus crashed shortly after takeoff. 43 people were killed, among them, crew and former NHL players. One player and one crew member survived, but are listed in critical condition.<br /><br />Former Mighty Duck Ruslan "Rusty" Salei was aboard this flight. His death was confirmed by the Russian Emergency Ministry. Salei spent 9 years on the Mighty Duck roster, becoming a beloved teammate and fan favorite.<br /><br />The following was issued by the Anaheim Ducks organization:<br /><br /><blockquote><em>"The Anaheim Ducks organization is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Ruslan Salei. ‘Rusty’ was a fan favorite and dedicated member of the Orange County community since being drafted by Anaheim in 1996. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife and three children, along with all of the other members of the hockey community affected by this horrible tragedy."</em></blockquote><br /><br />To pay their respects, Ducks fans erected a memorial at the Wild Wing statue outside of the Ponda.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/IMG_0008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />More pictures courtesy of the OC Register: <A HREF="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/salei-316073-played-guy.html?pic=1">Slideshow</A><br /><br />Salei leaves behind a wife and three children. He was 36.<br /><br />You'll be missed, Rusty.Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-44393624237443614092011-08-29T18:08:00.000-07:002011-08-31T13:32:48.250-07:0014th Annual Fedorin CupThe temperature gauge in my truck read "105°F." But I wasn't worried about being the least bit miserable. This is when being a hockey fan in Southern California pays off in dividends.
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<br />What better place to be than in the crisp, cool environment of an ice hockey rink?
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<br />With the smell of the rink, the sound of the puck bouncing off the boards and glass, and the buzzing of starved hockey fans, Anaheim Ice was the place to be last Saturday afternoon.
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<br />Originally established in 1998 in memory of Eric Fedorin, a Californian hockey player whose life was cut short by brain cancer, the annual Fedorin Cup raises money for cancer charities. Hockey pros of the past and present play a friendly game of puck, prizes are auctioned and raffled off, and hockey fans gather in the spirit of giving and preseason excitement.
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<br />I've been to this event for the past two years and it always signals a sort of pre-preseason for me. Hockey's coming back, and the fans are more than ready.
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<br />This year's roster was a little short on the star power, but one star made up for that. It wasn't until the very last minute that we found out Teemu Selanne would be playing, but that didn't keep the fans from lining up hours beforehand.
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<br /><em>Packed house at Anaheim Ice</em>
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<br />The format was according to tradition, Team USA versus Team Canada, with any token Finns suiting up with the Americans. Rookies were linemates with local veterans and NHLers. Rosters included newly-retired Todd Marchant, fresh-acquisition Jake Newton, and perennial favorite Rick Hutchinson (all playing on Team USA); and journeyman Sean Pronger and ex-Duck-now-King Dustin Penner (both playing on Team Canada).
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<br />Let's check out the pictures!
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<br /><em>I spy Teemu at the right end of that lineup!</em>
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<br /><em>Team Canada standing tall during their national anthem</em>
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<br />Would it surprise anyone that Teemu got the loudest cheers?
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<br /><em>Selanne and Team Canada captain Jason Marshall in the ceremonial puck drop</em>
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<br /><em>Selanne in his "office" waiting for the pass</em>
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<br /><em>You could feel the audience holding their breath every time Teemu approached the goal... </em>
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<br />The Flash looked absolutely awesome out on the ice. He was his usual speedy self and, even though the hands looked a tad rusty, the huge smile on his face spoke volumes. The man loves this game.
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<br /><em>Todd Marchant and Dustin Penner exchange pleasantries at the beginning of the second</em>
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<br />Even the rookies got a chance to shine.
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<br /><em>First-timer Erle Petrie lands one in behind goaltender Tom Spiers</em>
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<br /><em>Free agency signee Jack Newton, a defenseman that the Ducks acquired last year, also looked very promising. I believe he scored twice</em>
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<br /><em>A laser courtesy of Tyler Robertson</em>
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<br /><em>Team USA celebrating Robertson's goal</em>
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<br /><em>Selanne winding up...</em>
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<br /><em>... and chasing in the corners</em>
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<br /><em>I'm glad Marchant also got some love from the crowd</em>
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<br /><em>I tried to get in on Newton's game-worn jersey in the silent auction, but was outbid</em>
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<br />Despite Team USA's substantial lead over Team Canada at one point, Canada rallied to bring things to a shootout.
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<br />Teemu always has tricks up his sleeve for a shootout. This one was no different. With speed, he approached Spiers, came to a halt and, as the goaltender lost sight of the puck and spun around, snuck it slowly behind his back through the paint and into the goal.
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<br /><em>Another Teemu classic</em>
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<br />The crowd erupted, of course.
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<br />The final Team USA shooter sealed the deal, and Team USA would win it!
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<br /><em>The ceremonial postgame handshake</em>
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<br /><em>Everyone assembled for the group photo...</em>
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<br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/08-27-2011%20Fedorin/IMG_4334.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
<br /><em>... and then individual photos with Teemu, who gladly obliged them all</em>
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<br />I'm not going to ponder about Teemu's pending retirement decision. We'll all know soon enough. But if the Fedorin is any indication, I'd say stopping now looks like the last thing he wants to do.
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<br />Next up, the Ducks will open training camp on September 17th. Get ready, hockey fans!Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-27097868341427884842011-07-28T00:38:00.000-07:002011-07-28T00:43:10.504-07:00Meet Bobby!**blowing dust off the ole blog**<br /><br />The off-season is feeling so long. My fellow Duck friends and I have tried to pass the time by planning group trips for next season's games, and trying to get tickets squared away, but it isn't the same.<br /><br />Hey Teemu, give us Duck fans some exciting news... like you're returning to play next season!<br /><br />Well, for those who are available this coming Saturday, Bobby Ryan will be on hand at the Hockey Monkey in Santa Ana for pictures and autographs. Yes, this is the same hockey supply store that hosted Jonas Hiller and ex-Duck-now-Coyote Curtis McElhinney earlier in the summer.<br /><br />I'll be at the job that pays the bills, trying to figure out if I can sneak away...Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-72800635480173400802011-06-24T19:33:00.000-07:002011-06-26T19:28:56.222-07:002011 NHL Awards (Part 2)The next morning, we headed out early to the Palms hotel to check out the scene for that afternoon's red carpet ceremony. Having been to the NHL Awards two years ago (that post is linked in the side bar), I remember having to get there early in order to secure a spot against the barricade that wasn't in the blistering sun.<br /><br />Today's 110-degree forecast made that even more imperative!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Setting up the live video feed area of the red carpet</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4040.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Players and celebrities would walk the carpet to the Pearl Theater for the awards show</em><br /><br />Only a small group of fans and autograph hounds were present and we were able to grab some limited edition merchandise as well as awesome spots for the red carpet.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4037.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Limited edition NHL Awards pucks, mini trophies, hats, and other merch for sale</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4043.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Deb Placey and Jeremy Roenick getting ready</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4045.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4050.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>JR getting mic'd up</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4052.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Makeup touches for Deb</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>JR and Kevin Weekes</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4059.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>JR with his JR-cam: "Can I just get a little respect?"</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>A blurry shot of JR entertaining us with some air guitar</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4065.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Host Jay Mohr being pulled in for a few words</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4067.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>First to reach us, best rookie Calder nominee Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4070.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4073.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Another Calder nominee, San Jose Sharks' Logan Couture</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4079.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Nominated for GM of the year, Nashville Predators' David Poile</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4082.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner (for leadership and humanitarian contributions) Doug Weight</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4084.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4087.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Jack Adams Award (best coach) nominee Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4090.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Carolina Hurricanes' Jeff Skinner, the actual Calder winner</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4095.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>NHL Foundation Player Award winner, Dustin Brown</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4104.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Norris Trophy nominee Shea Weber</em><br /><br />We'd seen Shea at the blackjack tables the night before. Recall I nearly got myself kicked out of the casino for taking pictures around the tables. <br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4098.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>My buddy: "How was the blackjack?" Shea: "Not good, man."</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4101.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ted Lindsay Award nominee Steven Stamkos, for the most outstanding player as voted for by fellow players</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4103.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>This kid will never wash his arm again. For the record, Stamkos got Mom's blessing before he inked the arm</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4102.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Stamkos' teammate, Martin St. Louis, winner of the Lady Byng</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4108.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Magician and presenter Criss Angel... who I think kinda looks like Alice Cooper, but maybe that's just me</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4115.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Norris winner and Mark Messier nominee Nicklas Lidstrom... and a volunteer who undoubtedly wants Nick's autograph too</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4113.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Nick's -insert synonym for "perfect" here- family watching him sign autographs</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4121.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Mister and Missus Ryan Getzlaf</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4123.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Woo! Our very own Rocket Richard and Hart Trophy winner, Corey Perry</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4124.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4125.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4131.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Mark Messier and...</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4148.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>... Jack Adams winner, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4138.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4135.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Selke award winner Ryan Kesler looking a little worn out from the previous night's events</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4136.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Vezina winner, and my personal favorite, Boston Bruins' Tim Thomas</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4142.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo getting caught "outside the paint"</em><br /><br />Luongo actually got booed on the red carpet. Not sure if Canucks fans were doing the booing, but it could've also been the loud Red Wing fans near us.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4143.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>The other half of the William Jennings Award winning tandem, Cory Schneider</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4145.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4157.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4150.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Mark Messier leadership award winner, Zdeno Chara</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4152.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Vezina award nominee, and official nemesis of Ducks fans everywhere, Nashville Predators' Pekka Rinne</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4159.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>The Ted Lindsay award which, upon second inspection, I'm noticing the broken hockey stick held together with tape!</em><br /><br />We were coming up on 4pm now, and the awards show would be starting. It was definitely a relief to get out of the heat and into an air-conditioned theater!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4168.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />Despite the box office's claims of the show being "sold out," there were a lot of empty seats. We, the audience, were encouraged to cheer/yell/scream and provide an enthusiastic backdrop for the show. "You can't be too loud," they told us, but looking around the audience which consisted primarily of teammates, family, and industry folk (not fans), being too loud wasn't going to be a problem.<br /><br />I managed to get Rebel's zoom lens into the theater, so my shots could be close-ups. But, the downside is that getting a non-blurry shot at full zoom without a tripod would be difficult. Bear with me! Got a bunch of pictures, but we'll focus on the highlights.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4179.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Musical act Dierks Bentley rocked the stage</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4188.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Dan Bylsma, as he wrestled the Jack Adams award away from presenter Donny Osmond: "It's not the dancing award"</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4200.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Jeff Skinner, looking all of 12 years old, was awarded the Calder trophy for best rookie</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4201.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>The cover for EA Sports NHL 12 was revealed</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4203.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider were awarded the Jennings for their outstanding play during the regular season</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4206.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Our very own Corey Perry received the Rocket Richard for the most goals during the regular season</em><br /><br />My apologies for the blurry Perry pics, I was kind of busy screaming and cheering every time Perry's (and any other Duck for that matter) name was announced.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4210.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ian Laperriere received the Masterton trophy, winning over our goaltender Ray Emery</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4219.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins, represented by Thomas and Chara</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4224.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Thomas also walked away with the Vezina for best goaltender</em><br /><br />And the big one...<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4225.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Corey Perry won the Hart trophy for Most Valuable Player!! Again, I apologize for the blurry picture, but I was screaming my head off the instant Corey's name was announced</em><br /><br />Perry was visibly choked up as he received his Hart. His parents, brother, and other extended family members were there to share his moment of glory. Such a huge step for Corey, for the Anaheim Ducks, and for California hockey in general! Me and my fellow Duck friend couldn't stop yelling in celebration. This was a moment for all Ducks fans.<br /><br />Way to go, CP! You EARNED this!!<br /><br />We were more than ready to celebrate Perry's win at the cocktail reception that followed. Guests were herded into the pool area adjacent to the Rain Nightclub. An open bar and hors d'oeuvres awaited.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4236.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4234.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4235.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4231.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>EA Sports NHL 12 coverboy Steven Stamkos signing autographs</em><br /><br />Stamkos found himself stuck in a part of the pool area where he was surrounded on three sides by water. Not the best place to be, he was trapped by continual groups of fans looking for autographs and pictures. Kudos to him for being friendly and engaging throughout the onslaught.<br /><br />Poor guy. I think he should've just jumped in the pool and swam to freedom.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4241.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Bobby Ryan was in attendance to support linemate Perry, and to debut the newest installment of Ryan vs Ryan with captain Getzlaf</em><br /><br />Bobby inquired about my summer. I told him I liked watching the Stanley Cup Finals and all, but it wasn't the same without Ducks hockey. He agreed and said he thought the team was much better than getting knocked out in the first round. "The suspension didn't help," he added.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4242.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Jeff Skinner looking a little nervous, did someone card him at the entrance??</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4243.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ex-teammates Dan Bylsma and Ian Laperriere both took home hardware, the Jack Adams and Masterton respectively</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4246.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ducks Kent French posing for pictures with fans</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4244.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Lord Stanley chillin' in the pool</em><br /><br />A woman did attempt to swim out to Stanley, but she was stopped by security before she got halfway there. Kinda didn't blame her. It was damn hot, and that water looked so good.<br /><br />All in all, another awesome event for players and fans alike. Here's hoping they continue it as an annual occurrence in Vegas. I know I'd love to come back next year.Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-47391768992645761872011-06-22T02:28:00.000-07:002011-06-22T03:02:46.905-07:00Live from the 2011 NHL Awards (Part 1)Annnndddd... coming to you from Las Vegas!!! <br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4024.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />Although, I almost didn't get here. My truck suffered a blowout to the rear driver's side wheel that left me stranded on the side of the highway for a good 45 minutes waiting for the tow truck. Did I mention it was a blistering 100+ degrees outside?<br /><br />All I can say is, thank god for AAA. <br /><br />After that 2-hour delay (the guy had to try two different jacks to lift the truck), I was finally back on the road, but shaken a bit.<br /><br />Got in a little after 6pm. Got some grub and then off to the Palms to scope out the scene.<br /><br />There was a little pre-party shindig thrown by Dustin Brown that I might have hit up, but dinner left me feeling too lazy, haha. At least there were a few nuggets at the Palms to capture:<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>NHL hardware display in the Palms lobby</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>I see a Hart Trophy winner!</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>A somewhat blurry shot of me and Ryan Kesler (he was nice enough to come back to me after promising me a photo op)</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Shea Weber at the poker tables</em><br /><br />Got scolded by the casino folk to put the camera away after that one. Haha, not like I haven't heard that before.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/2011%20NHL%20Awards/IMG_4034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Wonder whose hot wheels these are??</em><br /><br />Can't wait for the good stuff tomorrow!Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-83538277201538128922011-06-16T19:46:00.000-07:002011-06-16T19:49:32.111-07:002010-11 Stanley Cup Champions(Author's note: This was a post that I wrote for a different blog site... but I felt it was appropriate here too)<br /><br />The Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 went down last night. In true Murphy’s Law fashion, I was stuck at work, threatening people not to reveal the score as I had it all DVR’d and waiting for me once I got home.<br /><br />(btw, if you’re a Canucks fan, my apologies beforehand!)<br /><br />I had started off cheering for the Vancouver Canucks, cuz they had eliminated the Nashville Predators (who took my Anaheim Ducks out of the playoffs in the first round). You know, cheer for the guys who avenged your guys?<br /><br />But then various Canucks players started to reveal their true colors. They were openly telling the press that certain teams had no business being in the playoffs, and they started badmouthing some of their rival players… not cool!! C’mon guys, what about sportsmanship? What about showing a little class?<br /><br />So yeah. Boo to the Canucks. They have some good players, guys like Ryan Kesler, Manny Malholtra, Sami Salo… but not enough to get me to cheer for them over their snotty, arrogant players! Especially their goalie, Roberto Luongo. This guy is ARROGANT! And sometimes, you aren’t even that good, ‘Berto.<br /><br />Anyway, I wasn’t completely on board with the Boston Bruins either. Boston has some MEAN fans. And some of their players are MEAN too. They showed it in this series. They’d be winning a game by more than a couple of goals, and their guys were still getting into fights and taking bad penalties. You’re winning! Why do you hafta be an asshole about it??? Eh. Of course, it would be so much better if my Ducks had made it this far. But, since they didn’t, and I watch Stanley Cup Finals hockey no matter who’s playing, I had to adopt a team.<br /><br />Player of the day: the Bruins’ Tim Thomas. An American-born goaltender who’s 37 years old (That’s OLLLLDDD by hockey standards) and I don’t believe he’s ever won a cup before. I met him two years ago, in Vegas during the NHL Awards. I didn’t get an autograph or anything at the time, just kinda stood in awe and managed a hello. He seemed to be a nice guy and earned himself tons of class-points this series by not stooping to the level of the Canucks’ goalie when insulted by him before the press.<br /><br />So it was. Go Timmy Thomas and his Boston Bruins.<br /><br />As the series went on and Timmy played his heart out, practically carrying his team to the championship, it wasn’t hard to cheer for him. The Canucks, after winning the first two games, began imploding. Their top guys couldn’t get pucks past Timmy, and Roberto, true to his streaky form, started to fall apart.<br /><br />Watching Game 7 and the final moments of the 2010-2011 hockey season, Tim Thomas sealed his team’s win with a 4-0 shutout. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is given to the playoff MVP, and became the oldest player in history to do so. Also, he’s only the 2nd American-born player to do so. Watching him skate around the rink with the Stanley Cup held high above his head, I was truly happy for him.<br /><br />And next week at the NHL Awards in Vegas, when I see him, I won’t be afraid to shake his hand and tell him that I couldn’t be happier to watch him win it all.Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-57461191912143367702011-06-10T00:31:00.000-07:002011-06-15T01:12:42.142-07:00Hiller and McElhinney signingMaybe you're as Duck-deprived as I am, but I was personally elated to hear that Jonas Hiller and ex-Duck Curtis McElhinney would be doing an in-store autograph signing at a local hockey gear store (Monkey Sports in Santa Ana). Ducks in the off-season? Yes, please!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Jonas%20and%20Curtis%20Signing/DSCF2762.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />I even made sure I had coverage at work for the few hours that I would be at the signing.<br /><br />As far as I could tell, the event seemed very under-promoted. Even the official Anaheim Ducks website made no mention of the appearance. I arrived an hour early to find only a handful of people in line. There were more people in the store shopping for gear than waiting for our goalies.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Jonas%20and%20Curtis%20Signing/DSCF2751.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>The padded backdrop for everyone's pictures</em><br /><br />It was kinda nice, actually. When Hiller and McElhinney arrived, they took their seats and quickly got to work chatting and signing autographs with the fans. They posed for pictures too. Everyone was in good spirits.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Jonas%20and%20Curtis%20Signing/DSCF2755.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Jonas%20and%20Curtis%20Signing/DSCF2757.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />Me to Hiller: How are you feeling? Getting some rest?<br /><br />Hiller, with a smile: Really good, I feel much better.<br /><br />Me to Curtis: How do you like Ottawa? <br /><br />Curtis: It's really cold! I have to get out all of my winter clothes again!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Jonas%20and%20Curtis%20Signing/DSCF2760.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />Thanks guys, for giving us Duck fans a little something to get us through the off-season!Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-22432276661952847872011-04-16T21:16:00.000-07:002011-04-18T21:52:43.207-07:002011 Playoffs: Round 1 Game 2 vs Nashville PredatorsAfter Game 1's weak performance, I'm sure I wasn't the only Duck fan wanting our boys to step up in Game 2. We didn't watch them struggle so hard to get home ice only to have them drop both games at home!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2637.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Ray Emery between the pipes this time</em><br /><br />It seems the hockey gods were on our side as the Predators took two penalties early in the first. Ducks made them pay on the 5-on-3 and again on the 5-on-4. The energy fueled fans and players alike as the Ducks turned out a much-improved first period of true playoff hockey. They took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.<br /><br />That's how you do it, boys!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2626.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Lovin' the new kid line of Matt Beleskey, Brandon McMillan (not pictured), and Nick Bonino</em><br /><br />The speed and energy of our new kid line spun the Nashville defenders in circles as they kept the puck in the offensive zone. Great shifts for the young guns.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2623.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2617.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2619.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />Our big line finally showed up to play too. Corey Perry got one of the two goals in the first, and his counterparts Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf would both light the lamp in the second. With some beautiful saves by Emery, the Ducks were able to keep the Preds to only one goal for their four through the first 40 minutes of play.<br /><br />Nashville rallied during the third and managed to close the goal gap to one. But Bobby sealed their fate with an empty netter in the last minute of regulation.<br /><br />When you know your team can play with this level of passion and skill, you gotta believe they can turn this series around. It's even now, 1-1, and hopefully our boys are able to pull off a couple more wins during games 3 and 4 in Nashville.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2627.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101446066308335561.post-47023457336461776832011-04-13T23:01:00.000-07:002011-04-17T23:51:03.439-07:002001 Playoffs: Round 1 Game 1 vs Nashville PredatorsIt's a special time of year, folks. A time that brings out the best in fans and teams alike.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2598.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>It's a time that brings the orange towels back to the Ponda</em><br /><br />It's playoffs!!<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2595.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br />And it feels all the more special because we didn't have a post-season last year. Our Anaheim Ducks screamed into the playoffs like a runaway train barreling down the tracks, not slowing until it had attained the 4th seed.<br /><br />The 4th seed and home ice! As the final games of the season wound down, Dallas would fall out of playoff contention, both the Kings and the Coyotes would slip a notch or two from their seeds, and Chicago would conveniently squeeze into 8th. <br /><br />The Ducks would face the Nashville Predators in round one.<br /><br />Personally, I would have preferred a series against the Chicago Blackhawks over Nashville. Not because I think the Hawks would have been easy to beat, but rather, I don't like how well Pred's goaltender Pekka Rinne has managed to stymie our boys this season. The Preds have a rock-solid defense this season. If they manage to score a few goals early on, their defense collapses around their goaltender and they easily defend that lead to a victory.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2630.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>My biggest Predator: Pekka Rinne</em><br /><br />Frustration isn't something our boys handle well, and with the questions still surrounding our goaltending situation, this wasn't going to be an easy series.<br /><br />Either way, it is what it is. No reason why we can't enjoy the post-season for as long as we're in it!<br /><br />Games 1 and 2 would be played at home, and the Ponda rolled out the playoff carpet for the fans. <br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2596.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Eats and seats in the Playoff Spot outside the Ponda to get grub, beer, and watch ongoing playoff games before our game</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2594.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2593.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2604.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Inside the Ponda, playoff towels on every seat set the atmosphere</em><br /><br />Expectations ran high for Game 1. Our boys were on a winning streak, hopefully they could keep the momentum going. There was an exceptionally emotional opening video which gave me chills and misty eyes at the same time. Win or lose, just being at a playoff game is awesome in and of itself.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2624.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Would the big line continue to dominate?</em><br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2610.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Dan Ellis would start in net, would he be able to hold down the fort?</em><br /><br />Well... if you were there for Game 1, I don't need to tell you how disappointing that turned out to be. Our Ducks just couldn't get it together. Passes weren't connecting, play looked sloppy and disjointed, puck possession was non-existent, and the passion... the drive... it just wasn't there.<br /><br />The Preds, to give them credit, came out with guns ablazing. Delivering hard hits and putting tons of pressure on the puck, they backed our Ducks into a corner. Even the power play was nullified. The first two periods would see them putting three unanswered goals on the board. <br /><br />I don't want to be one to complain about the officiating, but honestly, it didn't help. Our boys got frustrated with ticky-tack calls and non-calls, and that only led to sloppy penalties. <br /><br />Ellis made some great saves in the beginning, but having no support can wear a goaltender down. I think his confidence was shaken as pucks began to get by him. After the fourth Pred goal during the third period, Ellis was pulled for Ray Emery.<br /><br />Emery managed to stop the bleeding, but by the middle of the third, the Preds had pretty much stopped pushing. Teemu Selanne, bless his heart, got the Ducks on the board with about 8 minutes left in the third.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2634.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>This towel-waving opportunity brought to you by Teemu Selanne</em><br /><br />But that would be it for this game. As discouraging and frustrating as it may be, I simply cannot justify leaving before a game is over. Come on people, you're supposed to be fans, this is your team.<br /><br /><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/christinachin/Ducks%20vs%20Preds%202011%20playoffs%20rnd%201/DSCF2635.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br /><em>Hard to believe it was a sold-out crowd at the beginning of the game...</em><br /><br />Luckily a series isn't lost with the first game.Chris (aka Ducks54)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12138378753776391436noreply@blogger.com0