Ducks at Dallas, vs Stars

After that heinous shutout loss in Boston, our Ducks need NEED NEED a win today. It's a weird 2pm game, noon PST, which throws off yours truly on a Saturday. But, after an untelevised Bruin game, and a Sabres game which was only watchable on Versus (which I don't have), I'm itching to see my boys again.

And I'm wanting to see this new acquisition, Ryan Whitney, in action.

The Dallas Stars are tied with the Ducks, along with the Edmonton Oilers and the Minnesota Wild for positions 6 through 10 in the Western Conference standings. Needless to say, there's a lot riding on this game for both teams. Later today, the Wild and the Oilers are playing against each other. It'll be interesting to see the standings once the day's games have come to a close.

J.S. Giguere is in net again, Randy Carlyle is staying true to his elite netminder. Nothing against Jonas Hiller, who's still phenomenal in his own right, but I think it's important to show everyone that we still have faith in Giggy.

Ryan Getzlaf is still stuck playing in a visor to protect his broken nose... and that definitely changes his game. I grind my teeth knowing nothing has come of Sabre's Gaustad from that hit.

Anyway.

Andrew Ebbett, Bobby Ryan, and Teemu Selanne are out putting pressure on Stars' netminder Marty Turco. Bobby takes a big hit as he runs down the puck, and he's able to pass it to Ebbett who gets it to the Captain. Patiently waiting for the Star defenders to open up a shooting lane, he fakes, and then makes a shot... and it's in!

Two minutes into the game and the Ducks score first.

Ebbett and Bobby get points for the assist. As much as I wax poetic about my boy Bobby, I have to admit that Ebbett is also making quite a name for himself as a rookie on this club. He's gotten his share of assist points, but without as much fan fare. What can I say, I love them both on this second line with Teemu.

I'm impressed watching Chris Pronger out there with Whitney. Pronger at 6'6" and Whitney at 6'4", hell, that's a lot of defense to tangle with!

There's a nailbiter of a potential goal by Drew Miller. The puck dangled along the goal line but never completely crossed it. Upon video review, the officials deem a no goal.

It could have brought the Ducks ahead 2-nothing, but not this time.

Goal or no goal, I'm still a little miffed that Miller came up in exchange for Brian Salcido being sent back down to the Chops. I kinda wanted hometown boy Salcido to spend some more time in the NHL. I liked what I'd seen of him so far, but maybe Carlyle doesn't think it's his time, what with so many teams angling for playoff positions.

My boy Bobby takes another big hit. Looks like he's playing aggressive today. In fact, our Ducks seem to be the aggressors, at least for this period. But the Stars have an impressive forecheck.

What was I saying about aggressive? Sheldon Brookbank makes a huge hit on Eriksson, and then Trevor Daley steps in to take Brookbank on. The two get five for fighting, but Daley also takes the instigator penalty and is out for the rest of the period for misconduct. That's skirmish number two for Brookbank who, if you remember, came to Mike Brown's aid in the last game and took a misconduct.

The Ducks make good on the resulting power play. Pronger patiently measures out his slap shot, waiting for that shooting lane, and bam! It banks off Ebbett and goes home, for his fourth goal of the season. Ducks widen their lead, 2-0.

Hehe. To quote the commentator, "The silence in the Dallas arena is deafening."

Ducks take the lead going into the first intermission. That's gotta feel good.

The second period opens with the Stars on the power play thanks to a holding penalty
by Teemu. Unfortunately, the Stars capitalize on the man advantage and close the Duck lead to 2-1.

Another big hit by Bobby as he steals the puck on the resulting turnover, spins around, and passes it to Ebbett who narrowly misses the net. Definitely an impressive try. Shortly after, Bobby takes a penalty for holding and our Ducks are on a penalty kill again.

Once Bobby's back out, he puts some major pressure on Turco by deftly out-maneuvering the Stars defenseman and coming one on one up to the crease. Good save by Turco, but I'm pretty sure that, if he wasn't looking out for Bobby before, he definitely is now.

The Stars manage to get the puck back into the Ducks zone and repeatedly defy the Ducks from clearing it. Tired and sporting a man without a stick (Corey Perry), the Ducks allow the Stars to pass one by Perry and swiftly slam it through Giguere.

It's a tied game, and I'm wondering what the hell has happened to the Ducks that were playing that first period?? It's as if the Stars have them reeling over backwards, unable to get back on their feet.

There's two unfruitful power plays, then a series of loose pucks nervously bouncing all around Giguere's crease, and then a couple of Star shots that hit pipe. I'm amazed only those two goals got by Giggy, he's doing a great job. I almost can't watch, this is insane! The period mercifully ends, but it's still tied 2-2 so the third will be a scramble for the game.

The third period opens with some aggressive plays. Broken sticks are strewn all over the ice, just a sign of how hard everyone is playing. The Stars manage a breakaway pitting two against one, and Giggy has no chance against the fancy pass move between Steve Ott and Mike Ribeiro.

Stars take the lead for the first time in this game, 3-2.

George Parros takes a minor for interference, it's barely a penalty, but it's still one nonetheless. Bad time to take a penalty, boys. Giggy is tested, but holds true. No additional goals for the Stars this time.

Then, Perry and Getzlaf take the puck down the ice behind Turco. Perry takes it towards the crease on a wraparound, evades Turco's poke check, and stuffs it into the slot in one fell swoop. Ducks tie up the game, 3-3.

Shortly thereafter, Ebbett cleanly picks the puck out of a Stars' pocket and, in a charge for the net, passes it just over the flailing stick of a defender flat on the ice, to Selanne, who drives it home. Amazing play! Ducks retake the lead, 4-3.

If our boys can just keep the Stars from scoring again... we might actually have this one.

Miller ends up with an iffy holding penalty, and the Stars go on a huge power play. I'm holding my breath through each faceoff, and I'm seriously missing Sammy Pahlsson! Giggy blocks shot after shot on the net, not that there's too many because the Duck defenders are doing a heckuva job blocking the shooting lanes. They kill the penalty and focus on just getting that puck in deep for the next three minutes.

And a tense three minutes they are. Stars have possession for a majority of this time, with the puck in the Anaheim zone. Giggy is amazing, despite all of the traffic in front of his net. The guys are doing what they can to buy time. Turco anxiously awaits his call back to the Dallas bench. I have to laugh as Miller heads out in front of the Dallas net to mess with the Stars as they regroup after a change and start back towards the Anaheim zone. He's like a fly in your face.

Finally, the Stars advance and Turco leaves the net empty. Players scramble in the Anaheim zone, the Stars making blocked shots, the Ducks catching rebounds and unable to clear the zone. A huge shot is made, beautifully blocked by Giguere, and it's sent back down the ice.

Dallas calls a timeout with 2.5 seconds left on the clock.

The faceoff will be Getzy against Ribeiro. As they scramble for the puck, which never leaves the dot because there's just too many players on top of it, the horn sounds the end of the game, and Giguere steps out of his goal crease to grab Ott around the head. He pulls the guy away and delivers a blow.

That's the only hint our boys need. Everyone charges the net, but Travis Moen reaches them first. He pummels Ott, smashing his fist repeatedly into a guy who has made an extreme annoyance of himself the entire game. He goaded Brookbank at the end of the second period, I believe, but would not drop the gloves. I'm understanding he's got a broken hand which will keep him from fighting, but it doesn't stop him from yapping... nor does it stop him from delivering repeated back checks to Scotty during that final faceoff.

Giggy saw those back crosschecks right in front of him and, after the horn blew, he came to the aid of his Captain. That, right there, is my favorite moment of this game (but there were plenty others to choose from).

After the dust settled, Moen and Ott both got five-minute fighting majors, Giggy got two minutes for roughing (but it was totally worth it), and Ott even got a match penalty. And the best part? Ducks end the day in 7th place, and in playoff standing, for the Western Conference.

Congrats, Giggy, on an incredible 200th career win.

Ducks at Boston, vs Bruins

There's no televised broadcast of today's game, so I'm listening to the pregame, the game, and Josh Brewster's Duck Calls all on the radio. This is the first, and last, time the Ducks will play against the Eastern Conference leader. Might be a good thing.

First thing I'm hearing on the pregame, is that there's been a big trade between the Ducks and the Pittsburg Penguins.

Uh-oh.

It turns out, the Ducks have traded out Chris Kunitz (!!) for a Pen named Ryan Whitney. Kunitz comes with a prospect, Eric Tangradi (who's been called a "young Bobby Ryan," as if you could get any younger). I'm definitely sad hearing about this. I like Kunitz, and doesn't he have a designated space as part of the Ryan Getzlaf/Corey Perry group? Who's going to be up there? I hope Carlyle doesn't rearrange the second line, because Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne, and Andrew Ebbett seem to have a good chemistry together. Break that up to bring one of those boys to the first line... I don't know about that.

On the other hand, I can see the business behind this. Emotionally, you'd like to see the guy who's been with the team so long, who was part of the original Stanley Cup lineup, stay with the group. But if you want to get a good player, you gotta give a good player. And Kunitz, while he does score some points, hasn't scored a lot of them lately.

Still, it tugs at my heartstrings. Chris Kunitz, no longer a Duck.

They're saying that Whitney will be playing in the Ducks' lineup tonight, possibly alongside Chris Pronger, against the Bruins. So we'll get to see what we gave up a good man for. I am reading, however, that Whitney is a really good puck-moving defenseman... and we know that's been a shortcoming of our Ducks this season. I'll try to have faith in the suits' decision here, but it isn't going to be easy!

The game is underway, with Getzlaf's head encased in a visor due to the broken nose he acquired in Buffalo. I'm glad he's on the ice, but it's gotta be difficult to see when you're not used to playing with the visor. I'm hearing the second line is still intact. They're on the ice with Whitney and Pronger. J.S. Giguere is in net for the Ducks, All-Star Tim Thomas in net for the Bruins.

(I find myself really wishing I had a visual of the game. I'm so much better at this when I can SEE! Supposedly, there's an unofficial watch party, but I'm already comfortable at home on my couch with some Chex Mix and a beer... and I don't feel like dealing with Thursday evening traffic.)

About ten minutes into the period, the Ducks get their first penalty and play short-handed. Lots of plays on net here for both teams. At the end of the power play, no goals for anyone. I'm hearing lots of opportunities for the Bruins, and somehow, they've been missing. Still, it makes me nervous to hear that they're managing to center the puck and take aim so many times.

Perry gets hi-stuck (is that a word?) against the boards, and the Ducks go on their first power play. Nada. But Bobby gets close at the very end of that power play.

Before the end of the first, the Bruins get that first goal of the game. There's a giveaway in the neutral zone, and the Bruins capitalize. The first intermission sees a score of 0-1, Ducks trailing.

Early in the second period, another goal for the Bruins. And then a third. Aye.

I'm starting to get that sick feeling in my stomach that tells me I might not hear this game to its completion.

I'm waiting to hear if Jonas Hiller will be taking over. And yup, sure enough, he is. On eight shots, the Bruins have scored three goals. Probably a good time for Hiller to step up.

Keep in mind, these are the Bruins. They are number one in the Eastern Conference. Somehow, that keeps me from feeling too bad.

Our Ducks are trying. Scotty Niedermayer is playing up on the offense. The Ducks get another power play opportunity. Unfortunately, our boys can't capitalize. And then George Parros gets into a fight with Bruins' Thornton.

Bret Hedican has to leave the ice as an injury... I'm surprised he's out there anyway, with those back issues. Hell, do I know back issues.

Ducks have more shots on goal, but Bruins have the numbers where they count most.

A major fight breaks out as Mike Brown gets jumped on while he's down. Everyone gets paired off. Sheldon Brookbank and Pronger try to help out their teammate. Brown and Bruin Milan Lucic get the penalty box where they continue to yell at each other, but you can bet that Lucic is going to get his by somebody before this game is over. Then Brown goes to the locker room.

How can this be? Bruins get a power play off that scrum? Brown gets 2 minutes for instigating, 5 for fighting, and 10 for misconduct. Brookbank also takes a 2 minute penalty. And Lucic? Only the 5 for fighting. As it's called, the Captain drops gloves with Marc Savard, and both pick up 2 for roughing.

My god.

I don't think I've ever seen Scotty get into a fight. At least, if I have, I don't remember it.

Once play resumes, there's another Duck penalty immediately. Steve Montador for tripping. Geezus. There's three guys in the Duck penalty box, two in the Bruin box. The power play becomes 5 on 3, and the Bruins make good on it. 4-0.

Frustrated, Parros takes a holding penalty creating yet another power play opportunity for the Bruins. Again, another goal. 5-0.

Is this really happening??? There's only a minute left in the second period, thankfully, but I have a feeling that the third period is going to be an angry one.

In the third, so many great scoring chances for the Ducks. My boy Bobby comes very close yet again, but no goal. It's been a while since Bobby has scored, but I'm noticing he's getting guarded by much stronger opponents nowadays, sometimes even double-covered. I guess that's what happens when you draw attention to yourself as a good player.

The scoreboard definitely does not reflect the effort our Ducks are putting forward. I wonder if Kunitz's loss has anything to do with breaking our boys' concentration?

Then, a cross-checking call which gives the Ducks a power play. Please guys, let's at least get on the board? A good effort, but nothing to show for it.

With six minutes remaining, another Bruins goal. *groan* Try as they might, our Ducks can't fight off the shutout, 0-6.

The best thing about this game? It's finally over.

Ducks at Buffalo, vs Sabres

I'm listening to this one at work, trying to lay low so management doesn't can me. But see, it's airing only on Versus, so I can't even record the game to watch it later with my lame Cable subscription. Boo. So all I can do is quick one-liners as I listen at work, and maybe add a little more color after I've watched the highlight reel.

I considered just letting this game go, catching the final score after work. But no. All of our Ducks' games from here on out are important ones. Wins and losses will move teams in and out of playoff contention on a daily basis. Each game counts. And, as the Ducks might actually have a good shot at winning this one (I'm basing my assumption on the fact that the Sabres will be without both Ryan Miller, goaltender extraordinaire, and goal-scorer Thomas Vaneck), I want to hear my boys as they make victory theirs.

So here we go...

Right as I'm getting the first bytes of the streaming feed, I hear Teemu Selanne has put the first goal already in net! YAY!!!

Sheldon Brookbank gets into a fight behind the net, five for fighting for both Duck and Sabre players. Still 5-5 on the ice.

Sounds like a physical game already, lots of hits, lots of scrums. J.S. Giguere is in net again, for the third time out of three games on this road trip. I'm happy to hear he's making some great saves. Should I say it? Perhaps we've seen the last of his slump?

And then, Montador gets a two-minute minor for hooking and the Sabres erase the Duck's lead on the resulting power play.

Mike Brown gets into a tussle with a Sabre... what was I saying about physical?

Apparently, Sabres are giving up a lot of pucks in their own zone to Duck turnovers. I like the sound of that!

As the period ends, players get in each others' faces to start a fight, but they grind their teeth and separate.

The second period has started already, but I at least get to listen in peace for 30 minutes during my lunch break. At almost halfway through the game, there's a power play opportunity for Anaheim. Numerous shots on the Sabre net are made, but nothing goes in. The Sabres also steal a breakaway, but they can't get it past Giggy.

And then Anaheim goes into penalty kill mode for a two-minute interference penalty against Bobby Ryan for falling on Sabre's netminder Patrick Lalime. Shorthanded, the Ducks manage a miracle: Todd Marchant gets a puck into the net, his first goal in what, 43 games??

Guess he decided to show off for his friends and family in the audience.

There's a crazy blocked shot that gets the commentators buzzing: a carem off the top of Steve Montador's headgear.

I'm happy to hear that Randy Carlyle has decided to keep my favorite second line intact: Teemu is still skating with my boy Bobby and Andrew Ebbett. See, I told you those three work well together.

Anaheim gets another power play opportunity with about six minutes left in the second period. Even with Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu, the Captain, and Chris Pronger on the ice, our Ducks can't get one past Lalime. I have to admit, the Sabre netminder isn't doing too bad for a guy who doesn't start in net very often. He makes a lot of saves and gives up very few rebounds.

Then, after the power play expired, Mike Brown scores unassisted on a wild wraparound. It's in so quick that I'm laughing while watching the highlight. All of the Sabres on the ice, including Lalime, are just frozen after that goal is scored, as if to say, "What just happened? You gotta be fuckin' kidding me!"

It's Brown's second point this season, his first as a Duck, and also his first goal as a Duck. The guy was traded in because Anaheim wanted a physical player. A hitter. Apparently, the hitter can score too.

The period ends with the Ducks leading, 3-1.

The game continues into the third period with the Sabres' play sounding a bit disgruntled. At one enegetic moment, Derek Roy gets a point-blank scoring chance, but hits pipe. You can hear the fans groaning in disappointment.

Our Ducks are still playing very aggressively, keeping the Sabres guessing. The commentators point out that the booing you can hear in the background are the fans, angry with their own home team. I've never heard that before!

And then there's another two-minute penalty against the Ducks, Bret Hedican is penalized for hooking. It's during this man advantage that the Sabres put their second puck into the net. There was maybe two minutes, at most, to tie up the game, but the Sabres couldn't pull it off.

What they did manage, was an injury to Getzlaf (after a 3-man collision) that left blood on the ice and plenty of concerned Duck fans. In a postgame discussion, I heard that the injury was thankfully, nothing more than a bloody nose. I wouldn't want our boys going up against Eastern Conference leaders, the Boston Bruins, without Getzlaf!

Ducks win, for the second game in a row(!), 3-2.

Ducks at Columbus, vs Blue Jackets

Bobby Ryan versus Steve Mason.

That's what they're saying about this game, they're calling it a matchup of star rookies. Although, I'd have to argue that the Ducks have a lot of promising rookies on their team, not just Bobby.

Not that I'd want to take any fire away from my favorite Duck.

But we've also got Brian Salcido who, after watching him hold his own against the Red Wings yesterday, I feel is a promising addition to the Ducks defense line. He's an offensive defenseman, and the Ducks need that. I'm still sorry to see Brett Festerling go, but I guess there isn't much to be done about that. Andrew Ebbett is also a rookie worth watching, especially as a part of the line with Bobby and Teemu Selanne.

Even though J.S. Giguere started in net in yesterday's game, he'll start again in today's game.

As the game gets underway, I'm noticing a lot of energy. Our Ducks are skating hard and putting up a strong defense. They keep the puck largely in the Jackets' zone, making numerous shots on goal. And it pays off. On their first power play, Ducks take the first goal thanks to a quick Chris Pronger slap shot from the blue line.

Go Ducks! That's how you gotta do it, play hard, land that first goal, take the wind out of the Jackets' sails.

Already, this game is looking like a playoff game. There's a scrum in front of the Jacket's goal, resulting in a 4-on-5 against Anaheim that failed to yield fruit. Before the end of the 1st period, Salcido gets his first point in his NHL career. He assists a shot to Brendan Morrison, who curves the puck around the back of the slot, only to have it bank off a Jacket defenseman's skate and into the goal.

We're 2-0 and I can't contain my excitement. This is how I want our boys to be playing! What a game. The Jackets are feeling the pressure, and you can practically see them reeling over backwards from the wave of Ducks offense.

Before the end of the period, more fighting, and a dead goal in Giggy's net. The play had been considered dead before the puck crossed the line, but the Jackets did manage to poke it out from under Giggy. That's a tough call, but they are saying that the referee's intent is what comes first, not his whistle.

It's in our Ducks' favor so, okay!

As the period ends, you can see the hate coming off of the players. This is going to be one helluva game!

The second period sees our Ducks serving one penalty after another. Please, guys, don't blow this! They need to get back under control. Continue to put on the pressure, but don't be careless. At least there's a bright side: the Jacket's are last in the league on the power play. So... if you're going to give out a lot of power plays, might as well be while you're playing Columbus.

And it gives Giggy a chance to make some great saves. Although, I wouldn't want him to get too many chances.

I guess I spoke too soon, a power play goal with about 7 minutes left in the period puts the Jackets on the board.

But it's answered quickly afterwards by a straighforward shot by Corey Perry under Mason, who wasn't sure if Perry was going to play or pass. And then again! A Ryan Getzlaf pass to Corey Perry, who chips it around the goal in a haphazard pass to the front of the crease. Mason can't find the puck as it bounces and is batted in by Chris Kunitz.

The beautifully executed goal by our amazing first line brings the game to 4-1 at the close of the second period, even though the Jackets made a heckuvalot more shots on goal.

The third period starts with a nailbiter of a double minor on Chris Kunitz for high sticking and drawing, as they call it, "forensic evidence." The Jackets manage to get a puck in net during those four minutes. In another nailbiter, Getzlaf limps off to the locker room after stopping a puck with what appears to be his leg or foot. Thankfully he returns shortly.

The Ducks still have their 2-goal lead, and I'm hoping they can just hold on! Our boys are visibly tired, having just played the Red Wings last night.

And maybe another goal while they defend their lead? Apparently so. I'm sitting on the edge of my seat as the second line converges on Mason: Teemu, Bobby, and Ebbett, with Bobby leading on the puck. He passes to Ebbett, who fires on the goal. Mason blocks, the puck makes a short rebound and a split-second later, it's in the net thanks to Bobby's beautiful timing.

I love that kid!

The hush that falls over the Columbus crowd is music to my ears. That's Bobby's 21st goal of the season. In the Bobby vs Steve rookie race, I'm thinking Bobby's definitely puts in a strong bid for that award.

There are some last minute scrambles and a bunch of great saves by Giguere, but our Ducks hold their own and beautifully defend their 5-2 lead and break their losing streak.

Honestly, I'm happiest for Giggy with this game, cuz he could definitely use the confidence boost. Well-deserved!

Ducks at Detroit, vs Red Wings

Game one of a huge road trip for our Ducks. Huge, in that it's a long 6-game stretch. But also huge in that each of those games is against another team in playoff contention.

This first game isn't expected to be easy. In fact, I'm pretty much assuming our Ducks will lose this one. I know, you can say I have no faith, but c'mon... the Red Wings are second in the Western Conference right now. Their power play is number one. I love our Ducks, but I have to admit they're up against a tough team tonight.

'Course then, our boys have won against certain teams they shouldn't have... and lost against other teams they shouldn't have. So nobody really knows how this will pan out.

I'm at an official watch party for this one. I still love seeing the game on the big screen, with a room full of fans. I'm also curious to see how our newest Duck will fare. Brian Salcido, the first Duck to be born and trained right here in SoCali, starts his NHL career in Detroit having been brought up from Iowa.

Right at the 11-second mark of the game, Ducks get their first power play off a high-sticking penalty. They make good with the advantage, Ryan Getzlaf slaps a puck past Red Wings netminder Ty Conklin. You might consider having someone other than Chris Osgood in net a promising sign. Although, this new guy holds a pretty impressive record of his own.

Incidentally, Chris Pronger picked up a point assist on the Getzlaf goal, and this is his 1000th game in the NHL. Unfortunately, not a home crowd, but his family is in attendance.

This first period is action-packed, with some excellent saves by J.S. Giguere, and shots on goal by our offensive lines. Corey Perry, in particular, is making some impressive shots on the Red Wing net. I like seeing that 1-0 lead (any lead will make my eyes misty against this team), and the Ducks miss a chance to bump that to two with an excellent play that lands the puck against a Red Wing goal post. So close!

With less than seven minutes left in the period, Red Wings get on the board. It's a quick flip pass that hits the crossbar and goes into the net. Unfortunately, they follow that up with another goal on a power play right before the period ends.

Ducks go into the first intermission trailing, 1-2.

Despite being down a goal, I'm very proud of our Ducks. They're playing hard, moving their feet, putting together some great plays. And Giggy is really in top form tonight.

On a side note, the few (yet loud) Red Wing fans that have showed up to this watch party are REALLY annoying. Grr! Probably more so because they're right in front of me.

It seems the second period turns into a penalty disaster for the Ducks, allowing the Red Wings to increase their lead to 2. Giggy's phenomenal performance is the only reason the Red Wings didn't totally wipe the ice with the Ducks. The Ducks put a number of pucks against Conklin, but can't seem to get anything into the net.

The second period ends with the Ducks trailing even further behind, 1-3.

Early in the third, the Ducks make a fatal error and take the puck down the middle in their zone. It's quickly turned over and, in the same swoop, shot into the net.

Then it's Detroit's turn to take a few penalties. With the ensuing power plays, the Ducks come so close so many times. At one point, the Ducks have a two-man advantage, and they can't make good on it. How frustrating. Well, at least I can say our Ducks are really making the Red Wings work for this win. You can't deny that they aren't playing their hearts out.

With five minutes left, finally, a payoff. Teemu Selanne flips a wild pass in the Detroit zone. Andrew Ebbett, trying to connect, loses an edge and flies past it. But my boy Bobby Ryan is right behind him and catches the puck before Conklin even realizes where it is, tapping it past him and into the goal. That's Bobby's 20th goal this season, tying him with Getzlaf (and Bobby didn't even play at the start of the season).

Time and time again, the Ducks make close plays on the Detroit net. I keep hearing "ping!" "ping!" as the puck hits pipe. Corey Perry is caught on camera screaming expletives... I hear ya, man. It's his fourth denied goal after a marvelously aggressive play.

To add insult to injury, with 6.5 seconds left on the clock, Detroit catches the puck on a breakaway and manages to get it by Giggy. Ducks start off their road trip on the wrong foot, losing 2 to 5.

Considering how well our boys played, they definitely did not deserve such a fate.