Boudreau's first practice

The 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?

And that Bruce was already in Anaheim to lead the team on their first practice the next morning??

Wow.

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.


Boudreau's first practice with the boys at Anaheim Ice

My first order of business, making sure Bobby Ryan was still on the team!


Ryan Getzlaf (left), Nate Guenin, and Bobby

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.

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.


The practice session had Boudreau addressing a lot of the players in small groups




Ducks bring on assistant coach Brad Lauer (far left) who was the Syracuse Crunch's assistant coach



I like how vocal Boudreau was with the players. It definitely sounded like there was a lot of teaching, directing, COACHING, going on.


Goalie coach Pete Peeters worked individually with Jonas Hiller (and his black mask)...


... and backup Jeff Deslauriers



At the end of practice, the guys were actually laughing and cheering and having some fun. Look at those smiles!







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.

Ducks vs Toronto Maple Leafs

I 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.

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).

And I was stuck with tickets to every Predator-Duck game.

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.



One of these days, Lombo, I WILL see you again.

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.



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.


Please Loops, have mercy


Lost, also, in the Lupul trade was promising rookie Jake Gardiner. I'm still upset about that, the kid had major potential


Leafs goalies, rookie Ben Scrivens and veteran Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson


Of course, we'd get The Monster tonight

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.


Ducks celebrate after Francois Beauchemin's winning rocket down the slot


Playing aggressively the entire night, Lupul threw his weight around as he checked and pushed Ducks on their way back to the bench


Rough night for Sheldon Brookbank who took a puck to the face and got tripped and run over behind the net

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.

It was heartbreaking.


Feel free, Ducks fans, to print this one out and fit it to your favorite dartboard, punching bag, etc...

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.

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.

This is the guy I want to be our head coach. Look what he did with our PK, imagine what else he could do.

Our boys look lost and disheartened. They need guidance.


Teemu Selanne deserves better in his final season


Bobby Ryan: I guess I'm the pink elephant in the room...


Corey Perry's absolutely beautiful top shelf snap shot goal was easily lost in the Ducks' defeat

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.

Ducks vs Chicago Blackhawks

Something different for this post?

No, we still lost.

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.

Is it the players?

Is it the coaching staff?

Is it the head coach?

Is it the GM?

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.

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.

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.

But who's to say?

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.

And it's so hard to see this happen.

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.

And I feel horrible for us fans who paid to helplessly watch this happen night in and night out.

Please, comments are welcomed.


Ellis: "Dude, you don't EVEN know the half of it..."

Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings

Another loss. Not much else to say, just some pictures to share.


Check out Dan Ellis' new mask, inspired by the Ducks tradition of honoring one of our soldiers at every home game


Newly acquired off waivers from Calgary, defenseman Niklas Hagman. (Please save us?)


Corey Perry in his usual spot next to the opposing goaltender, waiting for pucks to tip in


Captain Ryan Getzlaf concentrating at the faceoff


Pavel Datsyuk, the one Red Wing I can't hate because he's just so damn silky smooth

Ducks vs Dallas Stars

When 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.

And don't even get me started on the officiating!

Believe it or not, there were some notable moments in tonight's game. We'll try to focus on those.


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


Cue the ceremonial puck drop

Francois Beauchemin looked no worse for wear after taking a puck to the visor and luckily ending up with only a compression laceration.


Defenseman Kurtis Foster from Edmonton had been cleared for play.

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.




A long awaited Duck goal was waived off when Perry was penalized for goaltender interference

Our boys actually got many opportunities to score. They were outshooting the Stars from the beginning, but just couldn't get anything past Lehtonen.

I have to admit, I was impressed by this goalie.


Lehtonen's impression of a stone wall. For what it's worth, Perry was the only Duck goal of the game


Ryan Getzlaf also impressed with some fancy stickwork

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.

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!

Ducks vs San Jose Sharks, Home Opener

After 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.

Hey, we're a Southern California hockey team, okay?

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.


There was live music pre-game (I forget the name of the band)


Big smiles from Captain Ryan Getzlaf during warmups. Heck, everyone was happy to be back!


Notice the "24" patch being worn by all the Ducks in tribute to fallen former Duck Ruslan Salei


Rookie Maxime Macenauer would be the only player to tally a goal in tonight's contest

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.


What a relief! This would be Toni Lydman's first game back since shoulder surgery during the off-season

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.


MVP Corey Perry was welcomed onto the rink by a standing ovation

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.


The boys celebrate a win with Hiller, number one star of the game

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.

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.

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!!

Ducks hockey is back!!

Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks

Yes, 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.

I'm still liking what I've seen with Gordon as well as Maxime Macenauer, hoping they continue their strong strides for roster spots.

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.

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.

This is hockey afterall, right??

Training Camp 2011

I'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!


Jason Blake, Igor Bobkov, and Devante Smith-Pelly




Listening to instructions from coach Carlyle


Dan Ellis stops a bid assisted by newly drafted Richard Rakell




MVPerry is ready for his close-up


Back again for another training camp, Sheldon Brookbank




Captain Ryan Getzlaf


Chit-chatting between Perry and Getzlaf


Luca Sbisa and, in the background, Finnish goaltender Iiro Tarkki


Tarkki with a great save


Smith-Pelly and Sbisa


Dan Sexton and Jason Blake


Promising defenseman Jake Newton


Igor Bobkov takes a break




Rakell watches Mathieu Carle in a relay


Bobby Ryan


Jonas Hiller stretching out


Speedy newcomer from Edmonton, Andrew Cogliano


Matt Beleskey and Saku Koivu


Teemu Selanne tries to get one past Hiller




Also from Edmonton, Jeff Deslauriers




Bobby listening to the coaches as they set up a drill


Rookie Joseph Cramarossa




Cam Fowler signing autographs


Ryan Getzlaf hung out and signed autographs and took pictures with everyone


Much to our amusement, Bobby picked up a bunch of rookie "Ducklings" and offered them a ride to their hotel


Francois Beauchemin signing an autograph


Fan favorites George Parros and Teemu "one more" Selanne