Ducks vs Florida Panthers

Not just another day at the office for George

This was a great game. Period.

And not because there were big names involved or because it was a special giveaway night at the Ponda. Most people might have passed on tonight's game because it was a random Wednesday night, against a random East Conference team that doesn't generate a huge following.

But for those Duck faithful who came out, we were treated to a fun, raucous game capped off with a Ducks win. You really had to be there.


Man of the hour, George Parros, grinning big in his new role of goal scorer


The Ducks enforcer scored two goals in tonight's contest, with a tussle against Darcy Hordichuk thrown in between

Padded with some nice goals from our big line, we Duck fans didn't have to sweat it out too badly. I mean, if anyone knows how quickly and painfully a lead can be lost, it's Duck fans.


High-fives at the bench after Getzlaf's goal

But with the last 15 minutes or so of the game, the minimal crowd at the Ponda got louder and louder. People screamed every time Parros took the ice. Murmurs of "Hatty" and "One more for Georgie" buzzed through the air.

Best of all, you could tell the big man and everyone on the Ducks bench were absolutely loving it. So glad Georgie could do this one at home, where the home fans could really make it special for him.


Bobby Ryan sealed the deal with an empty netter dug out from underneath the Panther defender

In the end, there would be no hatty for George, but there would be two points for the Ducks.


The boys celebrate the victory with Jonas Hiller

Ducks in Florida, vs Panthers

Cruelly, this game isn't being televised anywhere so... there will be no way to check out new acquisition Jason Blake until our hometown heroes come home.

Yours truly is stuck at work, unable to risk even the radio feed. What I do know, Ryan Getzlaf has scored and Teemu Selanne (face encased in a jaw cage) has come right back out onto the ice and scored a power play goal.

Honestly, can nothing stop our phenomenal Finnish Flash??

My understanding is that Jonas Hiller is doing wonderfully between the pipes, and the Panthers have yet to get one behind him.

To make room for Selanne and Blake, youngsters Matt Belesky and Dan Sexton have been sent back down. I hope this doesn't disrupt our currently-hot offensive lines.

Apparently, it won't! At least not tonight. Corey Perry gets a goal before the third period winds down. And Hiller lands another shutout, the first under his new contract extension, 3-0.

Yours truly is feeling bittersweet as our boys finish their road trip. Yes, they're down a veteran goaltender and good friend, but they're also up on hope and faith and a true shot at making the playoffs with a remarkable goaltender secured.