Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks, home opener

Let's be completely honest here. Considering the Ducks' rough start to the season, going 0-3 thus far, I wasn't too sure if I wanted to see our boys get their butts handed to them on home ice. Especially not after all of the pomp and circumstance that goes into the pregame Red Carpet Ceremony.

I remember last season's home opener, getting all pumped up during the Red Carpet Ceremony, only to watch the Ducks humiliatingly drop that game to the San Jose Sharks.

But, a true fan sticks with their team, even in the worst of times. Especially in the worst of times.

So I drove out to cheer on my boys as they walked the red carpet. I had my camera, but didn't bring anything for anyone to sign. I doled out high-fives and fist-knocks instead.


The crowd is ready to make their Ducks feel like movie stars

One thing I definitely appreciated this year, the weather was sunny yet on the cooler side of summer. Last year, we melted like snowballs in hell. I can only imagine how uncomfortable the players were in their ties and three-piece suits.


The first to address the crowd, George Parros

A DJ from a local country music radio station helped Kent French emcee the event.


Parros signing autographs


Next up, Todd Marchant


Marchant signing autographs


Jason Blake


Lookin' sharp, Matt Beleskey and Bobby Ryan


Somebody hand Bobby a pair of those free Ducks sunglasses


Lubomir Visnovsky


Corey Perry


Yay, Dan Sexton would be playing tonight! He said he was excited to walk his first red carpet


Luca Sbisa was also going to get his chance to play tonight


DJ: "So, I gotta ask ya, who are you wearing?"
Luca: "Gap!" (he was just kidding)


Brendan Mikkleson


Mikkleson signing autographs


Alternate captain Saku Koivu


Rookie Cam Fowler made an entrance, driving one of Teemu Selanne's toys, dressed up in a chafeur's cap. Teemu and Ryan Getzlaf rode in the back




Fowler took the veterans' hazing in stride


Fowler approaching a crowd eager for his autograph


Getzy signing autographs


Making a fan's day never seems to get old for Teemu Selanne


Healthy scratches, but still good sports, Brett Festerling and Ryan Carter


Los Tres Guapos, Jonas Hiller, Paul Mara, and Sheldon Brookbank


Stating that his long hair bothered him under his mask, Hiller donned a shorter style for the home opener


Sheldon Brookbank signing autographs


Last, but not least, the other masked man, Curtis McElhinney


McElhinney signing autographs

As for the game, things started off rocky. Ducks took an early lead with a bid by Getzlaf less than three minutes into the first. But hearts would sink as our boys gave up two goals in 17 seconds less than two minutes later.

Was this the same disjointed team that had miserably lost the first three games of the season?

Towards the middle of the game, guys started showing up... and it was glorious!


Our big line reaffirmed their place as one of the top lines in the NHL

The equalizing goal (by Corey Perry) and the game winner (by Bobby Ryan) were beautiful displays of perfect passes and timing. THIS is what this team could do when they play like we know they can. Every Duck fan left that game with the thought that maybe the season wasn't looking so long after all.

More game observations: (again, I'm no expert, these are just casual opinions!)

- Looks like our team consists of more guys than just Saku Koivu and Jonas Hiller. Getzlaf earned four points in this game, including his one goal. Each member of the RPG line got a goal, as did Selanne.

- With Bobby's first goal of the season, I get to fire up the ole Bobby Ryan goal tracker in the sidebar. What'll it be this season, Bobby? 40 goals? 50?

- I don't know why Sexton gets scratched for so many games. The guy has speed and a good shot, why not give him more opportunities to play? He had a number of goal chances during this game, I want to see more of him.

- Luca Sbisa stepped up. I have to admit, I haven't been too impressed by what I've seen by him so far. Tonight, he delivered an excellent hip check, made his presence known, and had good anticipation of puck placement.

- As always, I continue to be impressed by Cam Fowler. How is it that an 18-year-old rookie skates and sees the ice like someone much older and experienced? He is so poised and calm under pressure. Made a few honest mistakes, but otherwise, incredible for a 2010 draftee.

- Hiller was a tad shaky at first, looking like his reactions were maybe half a second too slow. But he picked things up when the rest of the team arrived, and stayed strong through the end.

- A much better SOG disparity this time. For a brief second, I believe Ducks actually outshot the Canucks. Briefly.


Looking forward to seeing much more of Perry in the opposition's net

Goooo Ducks!!!

Meet the Team 2010

The theme for this season's "Meet the Team" event was Tuesday Fight Night.



It was advertised as an opportunity to challenge your favorite Ducks players to a game of wii boxing, with cocktails and dinner at the Bluewater Grill as the background. At first, I wasn't too sure about attending the event. I mean, the price tag wasn't small (but it went to charity), and if the theme was going to be videogames, how much time would you really get to talk to the players?

I was doubtful but in the end, I'm so glad I went!

As we entered, staffers for the Anaheim Ducks Foundation gave VIP guests special wristbands and asked us if we wanted to enter our names to challenge a Duck. I shrugged. Never played the game before, but hey, whatever. I wrote my name on a ticket, dropped it into the box, and forgot about it.




Special prizes and opportunities up for silent auction

There were elegant spreads of food set up inside the restaurant including an all-inclusive salad bar, seafood bar with oyster shooters and jumbo shrimp cocktail, and a drink bar with a listing of complementary spirits. Towards the back of the restaurant, a set up of four television screens with wii consoles was roped off within a makeshift boxing ring.


Ice girls pose for a group shot

The players clustered in the very rear of the restaurant, in a VIP area. Fans gathered here to talk to the players, take pictures, and get autographs. There was another television setup back here too, with a UFC game that the boys were challenging each other to.

I whipped out my camera and went to work.






Matt Beleskey, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan (who wasn't paying attention)


Troy Bodie and Kyle Chipchura trying to wrestle each other while Brendan Mikkleson, Ryan Carter, and Cam Fowler watch


Dan Sexton and Curtis McElhinney

After about an hour of mingling, Kent French started the night up with introductions and a brief rundown of how the night was going to go in regards to the wii boxing.


Frenchie explaining the rules


George Parros and UFC champ Tito Ortiz would start the festivities off with a one-on-one round


The match would end as a draw

The rest of the matches would be done tournament style, with various Duck players challenging guests whose names were being drawn from the box. Winners of each match in the first round would go one to challenge each other in the second round, and so on until an ultimate champion was crowned.

Four Ducks players (Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne, George Parros, and Ryan Getzlaf) would not fight until the third round, when matches against them would be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Winners of these rounds would play winners going into the fourth round.

I froze when I heard my name called, and I waited to hear which Duck player I'd be fighting. Luca Sbisa. I'd just spoken to Luca earlier that night, when I showed him his rookie card. I went up to the "ring" and got a crash course on how to use the wii controllers.


Luca: Hey, I thought you said you don't play.
Me: I don't. This will be my first time!


It was a valiant fight, but in the end, I took down Sbisa!


Dan Sexton's fists were a blur as he pummeled his opponent

I went to grab some food before the second round started. The players were talkative, it seems the game environment brought everyone out of their shells. Bobby told me he was going to be an auctioned fight even though he had no idea how to play the game; Lubomir Visnovksy explained that he wasn't a video game kind of guy, "If I have spare time, I want to go outside or do something not in front of the tv!"; and Curtis McElhinney agreed with me that he missed the days of two-button video game controllers.


My second round opponent was none other than Kyle Chipchura who, according to the guys, practices this game at home

He beat me. Afterwards, he explained what the stats on the finishing screen meant. He pointed out that I actually threw 120-something punches and landed more of them than he had on me, "but somehow I won anyway," he said. "My punches were probably just taps," I laughed.


Round 2 also matched up goalies Jonas Hiller and Curtis "2-button" McElhinney


Hiller trying to land some big hits, but inevitably losing to McElhinney

Next came the auctioned fights.


Bobby Ryan vs his highest bidder


George Parros vs his highest bidder


Ryan Getzlaf lost to his highest bidder...


... as did Teemu Selanne


Andy Sutton, who fought and won against Aaron Voros, had to be given a towel for breaking more than just a little sweat. "I'll never be able to wear these pants again," he remarked


Bobby Ryan vs Kyle Chipchura

In the end, Chipchura came up the ultimate champion. But I think everyone who attended this amazing event came up a winner. All of the guys looked like they had a great time. I can't speak for every guest, but it was definitely a unique way to hang out with your favorite Duck players. Kudos to the Anaheim Ducks Foundation for a smashing success!


At least I can say I lost to the champ!

Bobby Ryan OC Register Meet & Greet

This past Wednesday, winger/center/wherever-they-need-an-extra-guy Bobby Ryan treated a lucky group of OC Register Insiders and guests to a 30-minute Q&A and Meet & Greet session. If you didn't get to go, you can watch the interview below (provided courtesy of my other half, who went while I was at work).

Part 1:



Part 2: