Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

The Flash is back!!!

And not only that, Jonas Hiller is starting once again in the net even though he started in last night's game against the Phoenix Coyotes. Definitely a strong indication that J.S. Giguere's slump has been well noted by coach Randy Carlyle.

But anyway, how exciting is it to see Teemu Selanne back on the ice?? The home crowd sounded its approval with numerous cheers as he took a spot in the lineup beside mates Bobby Ryan and Brendan Morrison.

Carlyle is also keeping his big scoring line intact. Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Chris Kunitz are on the ice together again tonight and, as the game opens, big offense is again the play of the day. Scott Neidermayer is up in front of the net again, playing the more offensive defenseman.

But one thing I'm a little disappointed at, it's the lack of puck time in the Blackhawks zone during the first period. Maybe our boys are a bit tired, but I'm not liking the disconnect between the players. They just seem sluggish to me.

Not like the well-oiled machine that mopped the ice with the Coyotes last night.

But that could just be me. The announcers seem to disagree.

Blackhawks land the first goal, but that's okay. The Coyotes got the first goal last night too. On the first power play of the night, dozens of hits on the Blackhawk goal, but none go in until Chris Pronger fires a slapshot from the blue line which, in the replay, showed to be a redirect by Bobby. This one goes home.

The officials give the goal to Pronger, and award an assist to Bobby, so that's another point for my boy either way. (During the intermission, the officials review the tape and give the goal to Bobby. That's his 11th this month, tying him for the lead in the NHL.)

As the first period continues, I'm getting a bit hot under the collar here. The Blackhawk's goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin, has a bee in his bonnet and that bee's name is Corey Perry. I dunno what the deal is, but there's lots of bad ref calls and tensions rise quickly because of it. Almost every play ends with guys yelling and sticks in the air.

I'm thinking there's going to be a lot more fighting (and Duck penalties) before the night is done.

And then, the Blackhawks take back their lead. To his credit, Hiller is doing a phenomenal job with saves, but the Ducks defense is a little lacking this time, and Hiller can't stop everything. I think the defensemen are just as riled up as the frontmen... which is probably why they can't help but be up there, in the opponent's face, instead of helping out around the goal crease.

But again, that's just me.

The second period opens, and in the first half there's only one goal. A Blackhawk goal. Damn. The Ducks are having problems keeping possession... and it's totally frustrating for the fans. For this fan, in the very least! Things have cooled, but so have shots on the Blackhawk net.

And then Travis Moen comes through. Burying the puck deep in the Blackhawk goal on a two against one front while the Ducks are short-handed. It was beautiful, people. Beautiful! At the end of the second, Ducks are behind by one.

As for the third period, geezus chryst, I think the Ducks need to take Hiller out for a beer after this game cuz seriously, without him they'd be down so many goals this period. I spent this period on the edge of my seat. The Ducks offense kept the Blackhawks on their toes... that puck spent a lot of time in the Blackhawks' zone, I'm amazed a goal hasn't come of it yet.

Unfortunately, all the Blackhawks have to do is repeatedly clear their zone. The Ducks have to penetrate to even get a shot at the equalizer.

After Hiller leaves the Duck net empty, there's shot after shot on the Blackhawk goal. And a questionable play with a Blackhawk pushing the net off its bearings after the skirmish in front of the net gets a little too hot to handle. But overtime was not to be in this game. Blackhawks hold their lead for the win, 3 to 2.

The definite stars of the game? Both netminders. Undoubtedly so.