Ducks at Phoenix, vs Coyotes

So, our boys should be well rested after the All Stars break, right? At least all but three of our boys anyway. That was the hope of every Ducks fan going into Tuesday night's game.

I also held that same hope. But minimally, I just wanted to be conscious for tonight's game! Having undergone some outpatient surgery this morning, I agreed to come home with my parents afterwards only after they promised me I'd be able to watch the Ducks game in peace.

I did have to compete with Spongebob Squarepants courtesy of my little brother during the middle period, but I caught the crucial goal-earning moments on the rebroadcast. A good thing too, because there were A LOT of goals made by our Ducks in this game! Hell, this is the team that deserves to make it into the playoffs. I dunno who that other team is that's been playing of late, but I'm hoping they won't be back soon.

Incidentally, this game is being played at the jobing.com arena in Phoenix. Yours truly will be in this arena this weekend. Not for a hockey game, but for a metal concert. Hockey game, mosh pit, same difference.

Right off the bat, I'm noticing how much energy our Ducks offensive has. Even defenseman Scott Niedermayer is playing a more offensive defense, following the puck deep into the opponents' zone and having more of an active role along the front lines. The boys look good. They're moving their feet, they're playing a fast game, they're monopolizing on forechecking opportunities. However, the first goal goes to the Coyotes during the first period, who quickly shoot a rebound into the net. To add insult to injury, Sammy Pahlsson takes a penalty for supposedly checking the shooter.

Although to me, it looked like he crashed into him on account of inertia. Either way, it's a penalty that the Ducks must kill. And then, an elbow on Corey Perry which spins him around and knocks him to the ice. No call. Pssshh... what else is new?

Jonas Hiller is looking sharp in the net, making a number of saves in this first period.

And then, with a few minutes left in the first period, Ryan Getzlaf takes advantage of a turnover puck and deftly passes it behind him to Chris Kunitz, who slams the puck home. It's a fabulous play, and takes our boys into the first intermission with a tied game and smiles on their faces.

Within the first minute of the second period, the Ducks take the lead as a Scott Niedermayer slap shot finds its way to the net, chipping off Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry in its path. Off the resulting faceoff, the first fight of the game. And then in the next minute, the Ducks lose their lead to a goal by nemesis Shane Doan.

We're tied up, 2 to 2.

Kudos to Coyote netminder Ilja Bryzgalov in this game. His team would have given up quite a few more goals if it hadn't been for his sharp reflexes. Although, not sharp enough to evade a scramble in front of his goal crease later in the period which results in Kunitz poking the puck through and past the netminder's right leg pad.

And then, Pahlsson wins the faceoff with a quick pass to Chris Pronger, who winds up a big shot that chips off of Rob Niedermayer's stick shaft and into the Coyote net. Just like that, Ducks increase their lead to 4-2 before the middle of the game.

Personally, I'm going nuts watching this game unfold. Keep it up, boys!

The power line appears to be Kunitz/Perry/Getzlaf and the boys spend a lot of time on the ice with the puck as Carlyle takes full advantage of their abilities.

Before the second period comes to a close, Doan manages to slip a puck past Hiller and bring the score to 3-4. But the Ducks take back their two-goal lead as Scotty takes the puck all the way into the Coyotes' zone, behind the net, and quickly passes it in front of the net. It finds Travis Moen's stick and is hit into the net... with one second left on the clock. Incredible!

Gotta hand it to the captain!

Three minutes into the third period, my boy Bobby Ryan becomes the talk of the rink again. A slap shot from Steve Montador is blocked by Bryz, but the rebound bounces to his right and into Bobby's sights. He rushes the puck, hitting it above Bryz at a sharp angle, and into the net. There's word about Bobby being in the running for Rookie of the Year, despite the fact that he didn't even start the season with the Ducks. He still has more points and more goals than any of the other rookies at this point in the season. Hell, whatever the eventual standing, one thing is for certain: the boy is hot right now.

The Ducks lead by three goals with half the period to go. You might consider it a done deal, but considering how things have gone for the Ducks this season, I won't chance jinxing anything until that final horn blows.

After the Coyotes fail to take advantage of another power play, the winning big line scores again, second goal of the game for Perry. Getzlaf buries the puck into Bryz's leg pads, but the rebound escapes to find Perry speeding towards the goal. He chips it in and flips over a Coyote defenseman in the same breath. The Ducks increase their lead to four goals.

And they kept that to the end for a glorious victory. Shots by numerous members of the team, Ducks bring it, 7 to 4.