Check out Bobby Ryan's hustle last night. Most notably these couple plays found on this video at about :32-:47, 3:28-3:40)
Both goalies looked impressive, but I think had they played Norrena instead of Leclaire we would have had many more goals. Leclaire came up with some huge saves.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Just an observation
At the end of 10/19, the Ducks were 1-5-0.
Then I made a blog post calling out our top line.
Since then, we've been 8-0-1. They've gone 11-32-43 with a +24 combined since that post. Their production beforehand? 0-2-2 and -14.
Maybe I should go into motivational speaking.
Then I made a blog post calling out our top line.
Since then, we've been 8-0-1. They've gone 11-32-43 with a +24 combined since that post. Their production beforehand? 0-2-2 and -14.
Maybe I should go into motivational speaking.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
At Montreal
A Live Blog.
2 posts by Montreal.
Goal by Huskins on a beautiful pass from Parros. Looks like we have a new top line.
Goal by Getzlaf on an excellent pass from Perry. I want to see more out of this top line the rest of this game. I need more confidence in this team.
The Ducks seem to be controlling the play for the early going. I'm liking the defense we're playing and it looks like we're able to set up in the offensive zone on even strength.
My TV KDOC TV feed showed a picture of two goaltenders in Habs uniforms. The older one is Patrick Roy. The younger one is J.S. Giguere.
Scratches for this game are Bret Hedican and Brad May. Carter is dressed for this game.
Huge stop by Giggy on Kostopolous. Habs are getting the chances, but they have just been unlucky, I suppose.
Penalty Ducks. This better not become a pattern for the rest of the game.
PPGoal Tanguay. An absolutely stunning goal. Giggy had no chance.
Another penalty Ducks.
Huge save by Giggy on a breakaway by Kovalev. In the play, Pronger takes a slashing penalty. Things are not looking good. 5 on 3.
Weirdly, Kovalev goes off too for unsportsmanlike conduct. 5 on 4.
Koivu Goal. This occured just as the penalty expired so I'm not certain as to whether this is registered as a PPG. Looks like the Ducks took it upon themselves to prove me wrong after I had praised their defense in the early going.
Perry vs Boullion. Perry wins.
Koivu's goal will not be a PPG.
End of first.
Sorry, I skipped out to grab groceries and now its 4-3 with 6 minutes left in the second. Sorry bout that.
Apparently the first line has started to put up points. This is what I want to see. Next up: Teemu Selanne.
Powerplay Montreal. We need a stellar kill here.
SHGoal by Travis Moen off the steal. You gotta see this goal. Fantastic shot to the top corner pocket. If we're going to take this many penalties, we need a better SHG rate.
Perry will draw a penalty shot off a fantastic odd man rush. Fingers crossed here.
Perry beats Price but couldn't pull the trigger as the puck rolls off his stick. Lucky Price.
Scott Niedermayer makes a huge defensive play to poke the puck off Higgin's stick on the breakaway.
Kunitz draws a penalty. VERY VERY marginal call. I want to see another SHG here.
End of Second.
Third period begins with Kunitz in the box.
Penalty killed. Giggy left a couple of fat rebounds on that one. Scary.
Another pipe by Perry.
A fantastic glove on Plekanec. It's good to see Giggy back into his groove after a horrid first few games of the season.
This game is very evenly matched. The play is very back and forth with pretty even with the scoring chances.
Selanne Scores on the Power Play. I called this. Wide open net for Selanne, no choice for price. This is the Ducks team I want to see (offensively at least. I am still not happy about our penalties).
Montreal Powerplay again. This gets old.
The first line maintained control in the offensive zone through a very good cycle. That was a fantastic shift by the top line.
Tanguay Scores. Montreal finally puts one in after many great saves by Giggy since the third Montreal. I feel Montreal deserved this.
The top line establishes a long cycle deep in the offensive zone again. One thing I've noticed about Montreal is that they aren't physical at all when it comes to defending against this cycle. Not one check against the Ducks' top line in that segment. The Habs have got to do better than this.
Montreal pulls Price but still cannot create any offense with the extra man. I dont think they recorded one SOG with the extra man. They looked tired but they haven't played the game for several days.
The Ducks completes the eastern Canada sweep. Only two teams have done this previous.
The Ducks weren't so great against Toronto. They were a tad better against Ottawa but still weren't anywhere effective. They were now much better against Montreal. Are the Ducks finally out of the slump? Let's hope so.
2 posts by Montreal.
Goal by Huskins on a beautiful pass from Parros. Looks like we have a new top line.
Goal by Getzlaf on an excellent pass from Perry. I want to see more out of this top line the rest of this game. I need more confidence in this team.
The Ducks seem to be controlling the play for the early going. I'm liking the defense we're playing and it looks like we're able to set up in the offensive zone on even strength.
My TV KDOC TV feed showed a picture of two goaltenders in Habs uniforms. The older one is Patrick Roy. The younger one is J.S. Giguere.
Scratches for this game are Bret Hedican and Brad May. Carter is dressed for this game.
Huge stop by Giggy on Kostopolous. Habs are getting the chances, but they have just been unlucky, I suppose.
Penalty Ducks. This better not become a pattern for the rest of the game.
PPGoal Tanguay. An absolutely stunning goal. Giggy had no chance.
Another penalty Ducks.
Huge save by Giggy on a breakaway by Kovalev. In the play, Pronger takes a slashing penalty. Things are not looking good. 5 on 3.
Weirdly, Kovalev goes off too for unsportsmanlike conduct. 5 on 4.
Koivu Goal. This occured just as the penalty expired so I'm not certain as to whether this is registered as a PPG. Looks like the Ducks took it upon themselves to prove me wrong after I had praised their defense in the early going.
Perry vs Boullion. Perry wins.
Koivu's goal will not be a PPG.
End of first.
Sorry, I skipped out to grab groceries and now its 4-3 with 6 minutes left in the second. Sorry bout that.
Apparently the first line has started to put up points. This is what I want to see. Next up: Teemu Selanne.
Powerplay Montreal. We need a stellar kill here.
SHGoal by Travis Moen off the steal. You gotta see this goal. Fantastic shot to the top corner pocket. If we're going to take this many penalties, we need a better SHG rate.
Perry will draw a penalty shot off a fantastic odd man rush. Fingers crossed here.
Perry beats Price but couldn't pull the trigger as the puck rolls off his stick. Lucky Price.
Scott Niedermayer makes a huge defensive play to poke the puck off Higgin's stick on the breakaway.
Kunitz draws a penalty. VERY VERY marginal call. I want to see another SHG here.
End of Second.
Third period begins with Kunitz in the box.
Penalty killed. Giggy left a couple of fat rebounds on that one. Scary.
Another pipe by Perry.
A fantastic glove on Plekanec. It's good to see Giggy back into his groove after a horrid first few games of the season.
This game is very evenly matched. The play is very back and forth with pretty even with the scoring chances.
Selanne Scores on the Power Play. I called this. Wide open net for Selanne, no choice for price. This is the Ducks team I want to see (offensively at least. I am still not happy about our penalties).
Montreal Powerplay again. This gets old.
The first line maintained control in the offensive zone through a very good cycle. That was a fantastic shift by the top line.
Tanguay Scores. Montreal finally puts one in after many great saves by Giggy since the third Montreal. I feel Montreal deserved this.
The top line establishes a long cycle deep in the offensive zone again. One thing I've noticed about Montreal is that they aren't physical at all when it comes to defending against this cycle. Not one check against the Ducks' top line in that segment. The Habs have got to do better than this.
Montreal pulls Price but still cannot create any offense with the extra man. I dont think they recorded one SOG with the extra man. They looked tired but they haven't played the game for several days.
The Ducks completes the eastern Canada sweep. Only two teams have done this previous.
The Ducks weren't so great against Toronto. They were a tad better against Ottawa but still weren't anywhere effective. They were now much better against Montreal. Are the Ducks finally out of the slump? Let's hope so.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Vs. Carolina
Another loss.
I'm very disappointed in Getzlaf and Perry. They are nowhere near playing what their 5.325 salary says they should be playing at. As a line, they are worth over 14 million. After 6 games, Kunitz, pointless. Getzlaf, 1 assist. Perry, 1 assist. Lets compare this line to another top line worth less than 13 million (next year). Kopitar, 4 games, 1 goal 2 assists. Brown, 4 games, 1 goal 3 assists. O'Sullivan, 3 games, 1 goal 1 assist.
This is really unacceptable. If their season doesn't start turning around and if they don't start playing like they deserve their salaries, then some changes will need to be made. Seriously.
I'm very disappointed in Getzlaf and Perry. They are nowhere near playing what their 5.325 salary says they should be playing at. As a line, they are worth over 14 million. After 6 games, Kunitz, pointless. Getzlaf, 1 assist. Perry, 1 assist. Lets compare this line to another top line worth less than 13 million (next year). Kopitar, 4 games, 1 goal 2 assists. Brown, 4 games, 1 goal 3 assists. O'Sullivan, 3 games, 1 goal 1 assist.
This is really unacceptable. If their season doesn't start turning around and if they don't start playing like they deserve their salaries, then some changes will need to be made. Seriously.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Penner?
Anyone else check out what the projected lines are for the Oilers tonight?
Penner is on the third line. Ouch.
Hope they feel like they are getting their "$4.25 million" (or close to that) from him a year since they stole him from the Ducks via offer sheet last year.
Penner is on the third line. Ouch.
Hope they feel like they are getting their "$4.25 million" (or close to that) from him a year since they stole him from the Ducks via offer sheet last year.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
At San Jose Sharks & Bobby Ryan
Well, no goals at the end of the one period.
That should give me enough time to watch The Office in between periods. Thank goodness for the TiVo.
Okay, okay.
Bobby Ryan. Those who have chatted with me or seen discussions of which I have taken part about Bobby Ryan know that I wasn't a big fan. First of all, I will cut the guy some slack because he was drafted right after Sidney Crosby. What a tough thing to keep in mind. I never understood what Burke or the other staff saw with him. I mean, who was drafted afterwards? Anze Kopitar. He's worked otu well for the Kings, hasn't he?
Well, truth is I feel like after this pre-season I finally feel like I was wrong. I attended the first game of the pre-season versus the Sharks in Anaheim and Bobby Ryan was great. He had two goals and an assist (I may be wrong about the number of the assists). He had a great sniper of a shot. He was in shape. He looked like he belonged on a line with Getzlaf and Perry.
Well, it's the third. We're down 3-0. Giggy makes a great save on an Erhoff one timer. The Sharks look good. I think the Ducks have taken some stupid penalties and not played the way they are capable. 10 minutes left in the game.
So I guess Carlyle has put Kunitz with Getz and Perry. We really need to strong front lines and I don't think that will be solidified until we get Ryan up from the minors. Who do we deal for space room for Ryan? Marchant? Who takes him? Denton says F. Beauchemin will get traded, but I don't see that happening. Burke and Carlyle are not ones to sacrifice solid D for offense.
Selanne's opportunity from May looked great. I feel like we are all a bit nervous on the ice tonight. Nabokov is solid so far. I have him on a few fantasy teams. I had him all last year and he was a great goalie for me. Funny thing is, my two starting goalies tonight in one league are Nabokov and Giguere.
Okay, so with 6 min. left we are playing well and SCORE! Nice deflection from Rob Neidermayer. Should that be one of his 7 goals for the season? Kidding. Suddenly we pick up the pace towards the end of the game. I feel like that is how the Ducks lay hockey for the past year, catch up. They let the opponent go ahead and then play catch up. Is that why most people rate us to finish 5th or 6th in the west? Anyone else feel like the Sharks get rated high every year and then blow it? How about the Stars? Avery joins the team and suddenly they are the favorite to win the cup. Turco doesn't have me convinced yet. As for the Sharks, Rob Blake will burn out.
Dang. Setuguchi scores. One more person that was drafted after Bobby Ryan. Sloppy recovery on the play. That just about seals the game right there. Cheecho gets the star of the game. Any surprise there?
Selanne and Morrison appear to be playing well together. How about May on a line? One thing that the Ducks have always done very well is forecheck. I think that is a reason we won the Cup a few years ago (Selanne's goal on Hasek in game 6 ring a bell?). When we forecheck, we win games, we score goals, we look good.
Pros of this game: Giggy still looks good. Sure we are down 4-1, but Giggy played well, made great saves.
Cons: still need better offensive chances, more shots on goal.
Anyone want to take the next game under their wing?
Comment please.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Odie to Kings
By now, you must have heard of this news. Let's dig a bit deeper. Who wins this trade? I'm going to give it to the Kings. Sure, the Ducks freed some room for Ryan. Sure, they open up the 7th defenseman spot to possibly Salcido (who was cut earlier in training camp) but I'm still going to go with the Kings here for getting such a solid defenseman for nothing. The ducks received a conditional third round pick from the Kings for Odie but here's the catch: the Ducks only get this pick if the Kings trade Odie this year. If the Kings wait it out, they don't have to pay the Ducks a dime. In effect, the Kings would have to find a trade offer for O'Donnell that would net them a return greater than a third round pick to get Buffalo's native third rounder. If you think about it, the chances for that are slim.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Ducks Trade O' Donnell & Quick Notes
According to ESPN and the Ducks homepage, Sean O'Donnell has been traded to L.A. for a conditional pick.
I have always liked O'Donnell. I think he works well with Pronger and can fight it out in the corner.
I do like the fact that Teemu is back. I expect him to be on a line with Morrison and Kunitz.
I attended the Ducks first pre-season game last week versus San Jose at the Honda Center. I was very impressed with Bobby Ryan's play. I have to say I didn't think he was a great choice after seeing Kopitar bloom so quickly, but he had a great game with Perry and Getzlaf. Great sniper shot on that first goal.
I have always liked O'Donnell. I think he works well with Pronger and can fight it out in the corner.
I do like the fact that Teemu is back. I expect him to be on a line with Morrison and Kunitz.
I attended the Ducks first pre-season game last week versus San Jose at the Honda Center. I was very impressed with Bobby Ryan's play. I have to say I didn't think he was a great choice after seeing Kopitar bloom so quickly, but he had a great game with Perry and Getzlaf. Great sniper shot on that first goal.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Guess who's back... Back again... Teemu's back... Tell a friend.
So it sounds like Teemu will be back for another year, pending the dissipation of the cap situation. Selanne is quoted as saying, "I have made a decision, I’m not going to say what my decision is, but I have made a decision and I’m skating every day." In response to the cap situation: “There’s no rush,” Selanne said. “The only thing I can say is that I haven’t been skating every day for the last four weeks just for fun. There is a reason.” Sure, its not "official" that he'll be back, but just yesterday a Finnish news outlet parroted these sentiments, asserted that Selanne indeed will be back for a 16th season. As a fan, that's as good a indication as any other.
Dan Wood from the OCRegister also reports that Selanne was skating at Anaheim Ice today with Bobby Ryan and Paul Kariya. Seriously. One of these days I've got to head down there and see if I'm lucky enough to see these three in person.
Via OCRegister
Dan Wood from the OCRegister also reports that Selanne was skating at Anaheim Ice today with Bobby Ryan and Paul Kariya. Seriously. One of these days I've got to head down there and see if I'm lucky enough to see these three in person.
Via OCRegister
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Biggest Trade Ever
On August 9, 1988 Wayne Greztky was sent to the Los Angeles Kings with Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski in exchange for, well does anyone remember? Seriously though. Martin Gelinas and Jimmy Carson, $15 million in cash, and a bunch of draft picks.
Remember, this is around the prime of his career. This was an incredible trade.
I don't want to take a lot of time to write about my feelings on it, but think about this.
How many hockey teams existed in the NHL in 1988 that were west of the St. Louis Blues/Minnesota North Stars and not in Canada?
The Los Angeles Kings.
That's it.
What about now? What about after the Gretzky trade?
Anaheim Ducks.
Phoenix Coyotes.
San Jose Sharks.
Colorado Avalanche (it should be noted that the "Colorado Rockies did exist before Gretzky entered the NHL and they were moved to New Jersey to become the Devils).
Dallas Stars.
Just to the east we now have a few more teams too.
Nashville Predators
Atlanta Trashers (okay, so they too once had a team that was moved to Calgary)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Florida Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Carolina Hurriances
I exclude any Canadian team here because it is to show the growth of the sport in the USA. Sports need big players to make big games to attract big crowds. No one can deny the influence Gretzky has on the sport just by this list to show the expansions the NHL has had since the Gretzky trade. Who will be the next? Sidney Crosby? I don't know. I think he has great potential to be, but I can't say for another three years.
How many of those teams have won Stanley Cups?
Anaheim, Colorado, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Dallas.
Who would have won those cups had Gretzky never gone to Southern California? I don't think we will ever know and I like it that way.
Remember, this is around the prime of his career. This was an incredible trade.
I don't want to take a lot of time to write about my feelings on it, but think about this.
How many hockey teams existed in the NHL in 1988 that were west of the St. Louis Blues/Minnesota North Stars and not in Canada?
The Los Angeles Kings.
That's it.
What about now? What about after the Gretzky trade?
Anaheim Ducks.
Phoenix Coyotes.
San Jose Sharks.
Colorado Avalanche (it should be noted that the "Colorado Rockies did exist before Gretzky entered the NHL and they were moved to New Jersey to become the Devils).
Dallas Stars.
Just to the east we now have a few more teams too.
Nashville Predators
Atlanta Trashers (okay, so they too once had a team that was moved to Calgary)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Florida Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Carolina Hurriances
I exclude any Canadian team here because it is to show the growth of the sport in the USA. Sports need big players to make big games to attract big crowds. No one can deny the influence Gretzky has on the sport just by this list to show the expansions the NHL has had since the Gretzky trade. Who will be the next? Sidney Crosby? I don't know. I think he has great potential to be, but I can't say for another three years.
How many of those teams have won Stanley Cups?
Anaheim, Colorado, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Dallas.
Who would have won those cups had Gretzky never gone to Southern California? I don't think we will ever know and I like it that way.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Be A Pro
So a year ago, there was this video game that sent shockwaves throughout the sports games community. If you haven't heard, NHL 08 was praised by almost every reviewer and won Sports Game of the Year from Gamespot.com. Just in case you haven't noticed, the 08 season has come to a close and the 09 season is about to start. What does this mean for EA's NHL franchise? Probably back-to-back awards.
Before I go on, if you haven't a next-gen game console, now might be the time to buy it (especially since Microsoft slashed the price of the Xbox 360 premium to 300 dollars, down from 350). Can this game possibly be this good? It sure looks like it.
Hearing the accolades for NHL 08, I bought myself a copy, and boy was I glad I did. I spent countless hours in franchise mode building the Ducks into a powerhouse of a team. I think I steered them to 4 or 5 Cup dynasty, but I suppose that is neither here nor there. Point being, NHL 08 was ridiculously awesome and NHL 09 promises to improve on that formula in leaps and bounds. How, you say?
Be A Pro.
This is the name of a new mode they're introducing. In it, you almost literally strap on your own skates and develop yourself as a player from the minors to superstardom. What sets this apart from other hockey games (or game modes) is the fact that your success does not require the finger dexterity to pull off a spicy button combination to score highlight reel goals. This new game mode instead opts to test you on your hockey smarts. In this mode, you exclusively control your own player on the ice - with or without the puck. Do you position yourself for the one-timer? Do you screen the goaltender for your teammates? Do you join in on the rush? These are decisions made by real hockey players and for the first time, the couch potato can join in on the fun. As a player, you can select several templates including, but not limited to, standup goaltender, defensive defenseman, playmaker, grinder, etc. How well you play is determined on how well you play according to the expectations of your role.
The success of your player would depend on three factors, how well you position yourself, how you interact with your team, and how well you show up on the stat sheet. With this mode, gone are the days where all that matters is lighting it up. Yes, if you're often caught out of position, the coach WILL notice. If you always hog the puck, the coach WILL notice. If you don't shoot enough, the coach WILL notice. As line changes happen, you step off the ice and watch the game from the bench, at which point, the coach will give feedback. As you progress in your career, you are given points to spend on a variety of attributes, giving the player choice on whether he should choose to improve his speed, reflexes or whatnot. If that's not revolutionary, I don't know what is.
On Xbox Live, at least, there will be an EA sanctioned official hockey league. Teams are created and players would be recruited to teams with other players. They would play to advance to higher divisions and division 1 teams would play for a trophy, which I hear is an actual physical trophy (don't ask me, I don't know how it works).
The game hasn't been released yet, so the details are a little fuzzy. Personally, I'm excited to see how much realism is involved with this mode. Do I get to negotiate contracts with teams? Do I get traded? Mayhaps I can negotiate an NTC? At this point, only the folks at EA know the more fine details of this fine new game mode.
You can bet top-dollar that on 09.09.08, I'll be dropping 60 bucks for NHL 09.
Link
Before I go on, if you haven't a next-gen game console, now might be the time to buy it (especially since Microsoft slashed the price of the Xbox 360 premium to 300 dollars, down from 350). Can this game possibly be this good? It sure looks like it.
Hearing the accolades for NHL 08, I bought myself a copy, and boy was I glad I did. I spent countless hours in franchise mode building the Ducks into a powerhouse of a team. I think I steered them to 4 or 5 Cup dynasty, but I suppose that is neither here nor there. Point being, NHL 08 was ridiculously awesome and NHL 09 promises to improve on that formula in leaps and bounds. How, you say?
Be A Pro.
This is the name of a new mode they're introducing. In it, you almost literally strap on your own skates and develop yourself as a player from the minors to superstardom. What sets this apart from other hockey games (or game modes) is the fact that your success does not require the finger dexterity to pull off a spicy button combination to score highlight reel goals. This new game mode instead opts to test you on your hockey smarts. In this mode, you exclusively control your own player on the ice - with or without the puck. Do you position yourself for the one-timer? Do you screen the goaltender for your teammates? Do you join in on the rush? These are decisions made by real hockey players and for the first time, the couch potato can join in on the fun. As a player, you can select several templates including, but not limited to, standup goaltender, defensive defenseman, playmaker, grinder, etc. How well you play is determined on how well you play according to the expectations of your role.
The success of your player would depend on three factors, how well you position yourself, how you interact with your team, and how well you show up on the stat sheet. With this mode, gone are the days where all that matters is lighting it up. Yes, if you're often caught out of position, the coach WILL notice. If you always hog the puck, the coach WILL notice. If you don't shoot enough, the coach WILL notice. As line changes happen, you step off the ice and watch the game from the bench, at which point, the coach will give feedback. As you progress in your career, you are given points to spend on a variety of attributes, giving the player choice on whether he should choose to improve his speed, reflexes or whatnot. If that's not revolutionary, I don't know what is.
On Xbox Live, at least, there will be an EA sanctioned official hockey league. Teams are created and players would be recruited to teams with other players. They would play to advance to higher divisions and division 1 teams would play for a trophy, which I hear is an actual physical trophy (don't ask me, I don't know how it works).
The game hasn't been released yet, so the details are a little fuzzy. Personally, I'm excited to see how much realism is involved with this mode. Do I get to negotiate contracts with teams? Do I get traded? Mayhaps I can negotiate an NTC? At this point, only the folks at EA know the more fine details of this fine new game mode.
You can bet top-dollar that on 09.09.08, I'll be dropping 60 bucks for NHL 09.
Link
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Messier Promise
Excuse me while I step out of the Duck spotlight and expose thoughts on modern sports.
It seems that nowadays there are a lot of athletes who think that they can guarantee some sort of win when they are in a hopeless situation. Several basketball and football athletes can be named who did so.
I think that this is a gesture that should only be made at the right time (it's easy to say that it is the wrong time when the team ends up losing, isn't it?) and made by the right player.
Joe Nameth. I don't know much about football. I can tell you who plays for what team, the legacy of the Packers and Steelers, why L.A. can't keep a football team, but really I can't defend all the guarantees made. Now, I can say that Joe Nameth stepped up and did it. I know he wasn't huge beforehand, but he made his professional career out of that event.
Ever since Adam, a friend of mine who writes a darn good sports blog (go-cougs.blogspot.com), mentioned that he could name a few hockey players. Gretzky, Lemieux, Lindros (this surprised me), and Messier. Now Messier was already a great player before he played with the Rangers. Five Stanley Cups in Edmonton.
This, however, is what most people who don't know anything about hockey should remember.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Ducks' 2008-2009 Schedule at First Glance
Yesterday, the Ducks announced their 2008-2009 Schedule. As many of us know, the NHL is trying to round out the schedule a little more. This year, the Ducks will play every other opponent in the NHL. Games against division rivals have been reduced to 6 each in order to bring up the amount of inter-conference play to 18 games, and the 4 games against the other Western Conference teams remain the same. The three Eastern Conference teams that the Ducks face both home and away are the Rangers, the Hurricanes, and the Sabres.
The schedule starts with a very important sequence of games against division rivals, the hated Oilers, and, quite randomly, the Hurricanes. The start of any season is very important because it can set the tone for the rest of the season, but going against division rivals (and the hated Oilers) is exponentially more important. Every game against the Kings, Coyotes, Sharks, and Stars is a must-win, as each of those games is a four-point game when looking at the standings. However, on the brighter side of things, four of the first 6 games of the season are at home, and the two away games are short travels to San Jose and Los Angeles.
The Ducks have two lengthy stretches at home: a 6-game homestand in November, and a 5-game stretch in March. The one in March is a very fortunate and important one for them, as the season will be winding down and every point will count. The home advantage during this time will be very helpful facing the Stars, Wild, Canucks, Sharks, and Predators, all very competitive and dangerous Western Conference teams. Their longest road trip is in late-February, spilling into March.
This season, the Ducks have 17 sets of back-to-back games, one more than last season. Last year, they were 15-14-3, not terrible, but far from spectacular. However, these games will be excellent times to get young Jonas Hiller some more NHL experience in net.
The end of the season looks very similar to the start of the season: filled with division-rival games. I see April being a very exciting, nerve-wracking time, more so than usual. And, as we host Phoenix to open at home, it only seems fitting that we close the season as visitors in Arizona.
On a personal note, there are two games that I’m very happy about. First is the home opener, Sunday, October 12 against the Coyotes. Not only is this the home opener, but I will actually be in California visiting for the three-day weekend. So, with luck, I’ll be able to be there to welcome the boys back to the Honda Center. The second is Thursday, February 26 at Boston. Why is a game against the Bruins so exciting? Because I live in Boston, and for the past two years while attending Emerson, the Ducks have not been to Beantown. I fully intend to buy tickets right by the visiting team’s tunnel so I can cheer them on between periods and make sure they know they have a fan in the house.
The schedule starts with a very important sequence of games against division rivals, the hated Oilers, and, quite randomly, the Hurricanes. The start of any season is very important because it can set the tone for the rest of the season, but going against division rivals (and the hated Oilers) is exponentially more important. Every game against the Kings, Coyotes, Sharks, and Stars is a must-win, as each of those games is a four-point game when looking at the standings. However, on the brighter side of things, four of the first 6 games of the season are at home, and the two away games are short travels to San Jose and Los Angeles.
The Ducks have two lengthy stretches at home: a 6-game homestand in November, and a 5-game stretch in March. The one in March is a very fortunate and important one for them, as the season will be winding down and every point will count. The home advantage during this time will be very helpful facing the Stars, Wild, Canucks, Sharks, and Predators, all very competitive and dangerous Western Conference teams. Their longest road trip is in late-February, spilling into March.
This season, the Ducks have 17 sets of back-to-back games, one more than last season. Last year, they were 15-14-3, not terrible, but far from spectacular. However, these games will be excellent times to get young Jonas Hiller some more NHL experience in net.
The end of the season looks very similar to the start of the season: filled with division-rival games. I see April being a very exciting, nerve-wracking time, more so than usual. And, as we host Phoenix to open at home, it only seems fitting that we close the season as visitors in Arizona.
On a personal note, there are two games that I’m very happy about. First is the home opener, Sunday, October 12 against the Coyotes. Not only is this the home opener, but I will actually be in California visiting for the three-day weekend. So, with luck, I’ll be able to be there to welcome the boys back to the Honda Center. The second is Thursday, February 26 at Boston. Why is a game against the Bruins so exciting? Because I live in Boston, and for the past two years while attending Emerson, the Ducks have not been to Beantown. I fully intend to buy tickets right by the visiting team’s tunnel so I can cheer them on between periods and make sure they know they have a fan in the house.
RIP: Rumor in Progress: Mathieu Schneider
One of the rumors we have run into a lot this summer is the departure of Mathieu Schneider. Schneider did the best job he could filling the void for Niedermayer, but cannot be looked over for contributing to the trade of C Andy McDonald to St. Louis.
I like Schneider. I think he is a good defensemen. However, with Scott Niedermayer back for his, most likely, last season, Schneider has been rumored to be off to another team. I have heard L.A. wants him, Phoenix will trade for him, and that Barry Melrose's mullet could see him in Tampa.
My "dream on" trade would be Jussi Jokinen for Schneider and a 3rd round pick in 2009. That would free up some cap space for a possible Selanne re-signing. It would also give the Ducks something they have needed since the 05-06 season- power to win a shootout. The Tampa Bay Lightning lost Dan Boyle to San Jose. Sure, they picked up Matt Carle and some other picks, but they lost their Power Play Quarterback. With Pronger, Beauchemin, Niedermayer all on the power play for the Ducks, I think we can see the departure of Schneider. We need some more power up front. Brendan Morrison should help fill that void, but I will get to that another day.
Schneider, we love you, but we would rather have Selanne + a younger forward. Nothing against you, but it would help out your fantasy team too.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I'm Nemmy, I'm 20, and I'm a hockeyholic.
I was born to a family that never watched hockey. My parents had only been in the US for about 5 years when they met each other and I spawned out of nothingness. I was their only child at the time, and during elementary school, none of my friends watched sports. If you were to ask me today about how I became a hockey fan, I really wouldn't have a good answer to that. Nobody introduced it to me.
I remember coming home from elementary school and turning on the TV. I'd just sit on the couch, browsing the channels until I came across something interesting. I was lucky enough to be home before 4:30 every day. I was lucky enough to be on pacific time. I was lucky enough to catch eastern and western games on ESPN. I really can't tell you what it is about hockey that held my interest, but it did. I'd come home every day and turn on the TV and watch a hockey game for an entire 3 hours. A hockey fan was born.
I remember the dynamic duos of the day, tearing it up across the league. When you watch Kariya-Selanne, Sakic-Forsberg, Tkachuk-Roenick, Lindros-Leclair and Messier-Gretzky, you get entranced. You get captivated. You're forced to be a fan.
Similarly, it was Kariya and Selanne that really got me hooked onto the Ducks. The movies were great and all, but it was those two that got me hooked onto this team.
In the present, I'm still a hockey fan and going strong. Unfortunately, I'm probably the only person my friends know that follows hockey religiously. I make my passion for the sport well known, hoping to catalyze positive reactions to the sport. When you're a fan of a sport that takes a backseat to basketball, football and baseball, you've got to do your part in the community.
I remember coming home from elementary school and turning on the TV. I'd just sit on the couch, browsing the channels until I came across something interesting. I was lucky enough to be home before 4:30 every day. I was lucky enough to be on pacific time. I was lucky enough to catch eastern and western games on ESPN. I really can't tell you what it is about hockey that held my interest, but it did. I'd come home every day and turn on the TV and watch a hockey game for an entire 3 hours. A hockey fan was born.
I remember the dynamic duos of the day, tearing it up across the league. When you watch Kariya-Selanne, Sakic-Forsberg, Tkachuk-Roenick, Lindros-Leclair and Messier-Gretzky, you get entranced. You get captivated. You're forced to be a fan.
Similarly, it was Kariya and Selanne that really got me hooked onto the Ducks. The movies were great and all, but it was those two that got me hooked onto this team.
In the present, I'm still a hockey fan and going strong. Unfortunately, I'm probably the only person my friends know that follows hockey religiously. I make my passion for the sport well known, hoping to catalyze positive reactions to the sport. When you're a fan of a sport that takes a backseat to basketball, football and baseball, you've got to do your part in the community.
Ducks Transactions: Todd Bertuzzi
I have never liked Todd Bertuzzi. He has always seemed dirty and didn't fit my "fantasy team" style. But since 2004, Todd Bertuzzi has stuck out in everyone's mind because of his incident with Steve Moore, the Colorado Avalanche rookie. If you don't follow this, you aren't really into sports, or were unable to follow at the time, because it was broadcast everywhere. However, you can watch it here.
Steve Moore has not played hockey since. He was in a neck brace for a year. Bertuzzi had a 17 months suspension (by the way, that was during the lockout too) and returned to play. For some magical reason, Bertuzzi hasn't performed as well since then. Since returning to the league in the 05-06 season, Bertuzzi has been on five teams; Vancouver, Florida, Detroit, Anaheim, and now Calgary.
I don't know why Brian Burke signed him as a free agent last summer. I don't know why he was getting making more than Selanne was during Selanne's 48 goal season. He wasn't worth the $4 million a year (the average superstar in the NHL can make on average 8.5 plus bonuses because of the new CBA).
I fully support the decision to buy out the remaining year on his contract. His game will never be the same again. He may have been great with Morrison and Naslund on Vancouver's top line, but bad karma will follow him wherever he goes. Good luck Flames fans. I don't think he will be helping you out anytime soon.
How Hockey Has Affected My Life
Like I said in my introduction of myself, I have been a hockey fan, and a Ducks fan, since I was five years old. My older brother took up roller hockey when he was in middle school, and I followed in his footsteps when I was in elementary school. However, as many hockey fans and players know, the sport is not easy on the wallets. With the direction that my young hockey career was headed, it was not worth the continued funding after only a few years.
Hockey almost fell out of my life for a while in high school. None of my friends were really into the sport, so I had no one to interact with regarding hockey. Some of my closest friends didn’t even know that I like hockey. Of course, during the 2002-2003 playoffs, I watched the Ducks’ playoff run at home by myself, but during the lockout season, hockey was all but non-existent in my life.
The Ducks’ playoff run in 2006 revitalized hockey in my life. As they advanced further and further into the playoffs, I started to wear my jersey to school more and more. It also inspired me to go into my garage and dig up my brother’s old roller blades and stick which both fit me well enough for me to start skating around again. Oh how I had missed my hockey.
In the fall of 2006, I flew from coast to coast, ending up in Boston for school at Emerson. If you don’t know Emerson, let me give you a brief overview. It’s a very small, private school of arts and communication. Even briefer overview: basically no sports. Meaning no hockey, right? Wrong. During my orientation week, I met someone who was wearing a Bruins hat and I turned the conversation towards hockey. He asked me if I wanted to join the school’s club team (we have no varsity, nor would I be good enough to play on it if we did anyways), and that was that. Hockey was really back in my life.
So after four paragraphs of my hockey history, we finally get to the point of this post: how has hockey affected my life as it is today? Quite a bit, actually. First of all, hockey is a team sport. Being on a hockey team, I have made a lot of close friendships that sprouted from the ice and the locker room. Also, being on my school’s team, I want and need to be in the best physical shape that I can be. Now remember my team is a club team, so we by no means have a strict workout schedule (or any workout schedule for that matter), but I still feel the need to take care of my body. If not for hockey, I think I definitely would have run into our friend named the Freshman Fifteen. Also, I’m not too involved in activities at my school, so hockey gives me more of a life. And on that same note, being involved with the team has opened up work opportunities for me, as I have plans for creating a podcast for the team as well as possibly taking over the team’s website.
Most importantly, however, is the fact that it was through hockey that I met my wonderful girlfriend of almost 16 months. She has been coming to my team’s games since day 1. I hate to say that our fan base has dramatically decreased—disappeared almost—but she has faithfully remained a fan. Yes, even without hockey, we would have had a class together, but I would have just been another face in the crowd. Now, every time I pull my jersey over my head, not only do I feel pride that I am representing my school, but I also always remember that it was because of this team that I’m the luckiest guy out there (Yeah, you heard me. Wanna fight about it? I’m willing to drop the gloves). She started off not knowing much about the sport other than there was fighting and checking (besides the obvious people skating and pushing a rubber disc around with sticks), but she has grown to understand and appreciate the game more and more. She even started learning about the Ducks, both about the players and the team in general. What more could a Ducks fan ask for? Oh, and did I mention she got me Center Ice for my birthday? Last winter, while we were visiting my home in California, I got to take her to her first professional hockey game, and we got dressed for the occasion.
So what would I be like without hockey? Bored. Boring. Lazy. Single. Hockey has really opened up a lot of opportunities for me. Opportunities for socializing, for fitness, and even for work. And that, my friends, is just one of the many reasons why this sport that we love is so amazing.
Hockey almost fell out of my life for a while in high school. None of my friends were really into the sport, so I had no one to interact with regarding hockey. Some of my closest friends didn’t even know that I like hockey. Of course, during the 2002-2003 playoffs, I watched the Ducks’ playoff run at home by myself, but during the lockout season, hockey was all but non-existent in my life.
The Ducks’ playoff run in 2006 revitalized hockey in my life. As they advanced further and further into the playoffs, I started to wear my jersey to school more and more. It also inspired me to go into my garage and dig up my brother’s old roller blades and stick which both fit me well enough for me to start skating around again. Oh how I had missed my hockey.
In the fall of 2006, I flew from coast to coast, ending up in Boston for school at Emerson. If you don’t know Emerson, let me give you a brief overview. It’s a very small, private school of arts and communication. Even briefer overview: basically no sports. Meaning no hockey, right? Wrong. During my orientation week, I met someone who was wearing a Bruins hat and I turned the conversation towards hockey. He asked me if I wanted to join the school’s club team (we have no varsity, nor would I be good enough to play on it if we did anyways), and that was that. Hockey was really back in my life.
So after four paragraphs of my hockey history, we finally get to the point of this post: how has hockey affected my life as it is today? Quite a bit, actually. First of all, hockey is a team sport. Being on a hockey team, I have made a lot of close friendships that sprouted from the ice and the locker room. Also, being on my school’s team, I want and need to be in the best physical shape that I can be. Now remember my team is a club team, so we by no means have a strict workout schedule (or any workout schedule for that matter), but I still feel the need to take care of my body. If not for hockey, I think I definitely would have run into our friend named the Freshman Fifteen. Also, I’m not too involved in activities at my school, so hockey gives me more of a life. And on that same note, being involved with the team has opened up work opportunities for me, as I have plans for creating a podcast for the team as well as possibly taking over the team’s website.
Most importantly, however, is the fact that it was through hockey that I met my wonderful girlfriend of almost 16 months. She has been coming to my team’s games since day 1. I hate to say that our fan base has dramatically decreased—disappeared almost—but she has faithfully remained a fan. Yes, even without hockey, we would have had a class together, but I would have just been another face in the crowd. Now, every time I pull my jersey over my head, not only do I feel pride that I am representing my school, but I also always remember that it was because of this team that I’m the luckiest guy out there (Yeah, you heard me. Wanna fight about it? I’m willing to drop the gloves). She started off not knowing much about the sport other than there was fighting and checking (besides the obvious people skating and pushing a rubber disc around with sticks), but she has grown to understand and appreciate the game more and more. She even started learning about the Ducks, both about the players and the team in general. What more could a Ducks fan ask for? Oh, and did I mention she got me Center Ice for my birthday? Last winter, while we were visiting my home in California, I got to take her to her first professional hockey game, and we got dressed for the occasion.
So what would I be like without hockey? Bored. Boring. Lazy. Single. Hockey has really opened up a lot of opportunities for me. Opportunities for socializing, for fitness, and even for work. And that, my friends, is just one of the many reasons why this sport that we love is so amazing.
An Introduction
First off, hello, and thank you for reading my posts! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lance. I grew up in sunny Southern California and I'm currently living in Boston, where I am majoring in Audio Production at Emerson College. I was introduced to the game of hockey when I was five years old, when my dad's company got season tickets for a brand new hockey team that came to Orange County: the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. I immediately loved the sport and I have been a Ducks fan since.
I currently play for my school’s club hockey team, the Emerson College Lions. Are we good? Not really, but we’re a growing program that just started two years ago, and we’re an arts and communications school for Pete’s sake. Am I good? Not really, but I’m having the time of my life playing, and in my next post, you’ll see how hockey has affected my life. Anyways, I play forward: mostly right wing and occasionally center. Last semester, our goalie left to study abroad, so I got to play a semester in net, which was awesome.
Although I’m about as far away from Anaheim as you can get while staying in the US, I still love my Ducks. I created and maintain a group on facebook that is currently the largest group for Ducks fans. I check up on my hockey news and rumors daily, and I watch as many games on TV as I can. All my friends in school know that I’m a big Ducks fan. I even “Ducked Out” my dorm room last year. I thought I had pictures but I don't. That's unfortunate.
If you asked me who my favorite Duck of all time is, I wouldn’t know what to say. I grew up idolizing Paul Kariya. His heroics in Game 6 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals still give me chills.
However, as he has gone his separate way, I found a new favorite: Andy McDonald. I love his speed and his playmaking ability. People say that he was only good when put on a line with Teemu Selanne, and I hope he can prove them all wrong, even now that he’s been traded to the St. Louis Blues. The news of that trade devastated me. While I was getting back into the game of hockey playing for my school, it was McDonald who I looked up to and tried to model my game after. My favorite current Ducks are Ryan Getzlaf and Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
So you may be wondering why I chose the blogger name Rufio19. For Halloween a couple years ago, I dressed up as Rufio (yup, the one from Hook), and at my hockey game the following week, the fans started the Rufio chant every time I took a shift.
The nickname caught on in the locker room and with my friends. 19 is for the number I wear on my team, which I chose in honor of former Duck Andy McDonald.
Photo Credits of all pictures with me in them: JLW
I currently play for my school’s club hockey team, the Emerson College Lions. Are we good? Not really, but we’re a growing program that just started two years ago, and we’re an arts and communications school for Pete’s sake. Am I good? Not really, but I’m having the time of my life playing, and in my next post, you’ll see how hockey has affected my life. Anyways, I play forward: mostly right wing and occasionally center. Last semester, our goalie left to study abroad, so I got to play a semester in net, which was awesome.
Although I’m about as far away from Anaheim as you can get while staying in the US, I still love my Ducks. I created and maintain a group on facebook that is currently the largest group for Ducks fans. I check up on my hockey news and rumors daily, and I watch as many games on TV as I can. All my friends in school know that I’m a big Ducks fan. I even “Ducked Out” my dorm room last year. I thought I had pictures but I don't. That's unfortunate.
If you asked me who my favorite Duck of all time is, I wouldn’t know what to say. I grew up idolizing Paul Kariya. His heroics in Game 6 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals still give me chills.
However, as he has gone his separate way, I found a new favorite: Andy McDonald. I love his speed and his playmaking ability. People say that he was only good when put on a line with Teemu Selanne, and I hope he can prove them all wrong, even now that he’s been traded to the St. Louis Blues. The news of that trade devastated me. While I was getting back into the game of hockey playing for my school, it was McDonald who I looked up to and tried to model my game after. My favorite current Ducks are Ryan Getzlaf and Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
So you may be wondering why I chose the blogger name Rufio19. For Halloween a couple years ago, I dressed up as Rufio (yup, the one from Hook), and at my hockey game the following week, the fans started the Rufio chant every time I took a shift.
The nickname caught on in the locker room and with my friends. 19 is for the number I wear on my team, which I chose in honor of former Duck Andy McDonald.
Photo Credits of all pictures with me in them: JLW
Red Wings & Blackhawks at Wrigley Field/Reflecting on the Ducks & Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks will face off at Wrigley Field on January 1, 2009.
I think this is awesome. I do have to say that I would rather see someone else other than Detroit there, but there is a fan base obviously. The drive isn't bad from Michigan either. Chicago has a young team, exciting to watch, and they feel they have a lot to prove. I like their off season moves so far. Huet will be solid in net.
Detroit is a great team. The best at this point. I hate to see them win. I think that the only team in the west who can beat Detroit in the playoffs is Anaheim. I find myself on the Anaheim Ducks facebook group a lot because of the lack of hockey attention in Utah. Denton, a fellow admin of the group, and I discussed this back when the Ducks were ousted by the Stars in the playoffs.
Dallas was the one team I didn't want to face. I wouldn't want to face L.A. either. Why not? Los Angeles had the worst record in the western conference? Doesn't matter. Whenever we face these division rivals, none of our other stats seem to matter. There is too much rivalry there. Detroit won the cup because they didn't have to play Anaheim. The Stars put up a good fight, but couldn't pull it off.
I think there was a huge sigh of relief in Detroit when the Ducks lost to the Stars 4 games to 2. If you don't remember how much pain Anaheim caused Detroit back in the '07 playoffs take a look at Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Detroit is up 1-0 with 45 seconds left. Scott Niedermayer flips a shot to the goal, deflecting off the Wings Captain's, Nick Lidstrom, stick and puts the game into OT. The game winning goal is my choice for "Goal of the '07 Playoffs."
This is the place
I am a Ducks fan. A huge one.
The only problem is that I live in Utah. I stay on top of things as much as I can.
I read the rumors, a few blogs, and hope to start my center ice subscription this fall.
I grew up in Southern California as a Kings fan. I loved to watch Robitaille, Nichols, Gretzky, Coffey, Kurri and all the other great L.A. Kings of the early 90's. However, Robitaille left the Kings and to me that was too sad. The Ducks were new in town, run by Disney, and exciting. The Kariya and Selanne relationship lured me away from L.A. to become an Anaheim fan.
I moved to Michigan during those years and stayed true to the Ducks even though the Red Wings won the Cup twice.
I lived in Rio de Janeiro as the Ducks went to the Stanley Cup finals and had my girlfriend's brother, now brother in law, record every single game for me. It's not easy to watch a hockey game in Brazil.
Now I am back to reality and watching every Ducks game I possibly can.
This blog is dedicated to those who love the game of hockey and the ice it is played on in Southern California.
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