Ducks Beat The Nucks!

The Ducks made a rare appearance last night at Honda Center when they pummeled the Vancouver Canucks 7-2 in a game that had me on my feet cheering! Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, Mike Brown, even George Parros were in fine form as the Ducks skated like there was no tomorrow. An considering their place in the standings, well...there really is no tomorrow! I had a great time because the team was playing the way they should be with all that great talent on the ice. Koivu and Lupul were darting in and out of the zones moving their feet and throwing their bodies everywhere. I'll be Damned if they didn't look like a playoff team. The game started off a bit scary when the Nucks scored twice within the first five minutes, and even my guests looked at me asking "what the hell just happened?" (He was actually drunk, so that might have played a bit in his verbiage). In the end we were all happy to leave a coupon for a free Del Taco classic taco, the ability to print out an Oggi's Pizza cheese stick coupon, free wings from Hooters, and most importantly a W in the column.

Go Ducks!!

Code Blue: Leafs Wake Up to Thump Ducks!!!

I was prepared to talk about our victory today and how it would help to build morale, and how it must suck for Burke to come to Anaheim and lose with the Leafs...like I said, I was preparing for that. Instead, I sat in class as the updates were being sent to my phone, and saw one by one, as the Ducks kept sinking. I saw text messages that read 3-2 Leafs at the 2ND intermission. Then 4-2, then 5-2, then I read "Hat Trick!" Finally the leafs got 6 goals off the Ducks. All I could do was smile and think of course we lost.


It made sense that we would lose to a team that is fighting to find it's identity, because we are a team that has lost its own. A few years ago, the Ducks were Stanley Cup champions. This year, we would be lucky if we finish 10Th in our conference. The Ducks are in a state of crisis right now, and I do not know what is causing this. I read someone made a comment somewhere that the Ducks seem to be thinking of the Olympics and have forgotten about the NHL. Maybe. When a team has so much talent as the Ducks do and aren't performing to their full potential, something is wrong. Bob Murray has to play detective once again, and must find the source of the bleeding and stop it before the Ducks go from critical, to terminally ill. I'm a Duck fan to the end, I just did not expect to the get this close to the end...so fast.

Go Ducks!

1993

While it is comforting to see Les Glorieux win another game, the fact that they have only won two games in regulation is cause for concern. True, they are 4-0 in overtime (shades of their Cup run in 1993?) they need to dominate teams. They desperately need Markov back.

But then again, perhaps the Forum Ghosts have awakened from their slumber and will guide their beloved team to some unexpected riches this year.

Ducks Can't Get Passed the Jackets!

I just got back from Vegas and after 4 hours of driving on the road, I was looking forward to sitting in a chilled arena enjoying NHL hockey! I had a great time, except for the fact that the Ducks once again failed to pull out a victory at home, giving us a recent home record off one and four.

I will admit that Columbus looks great and Nash was a monster on the ice the entire night, but the Ducks are missing something. Once again something just is not right, and a change has to be made similar to the one made at the deadline last year. The obvious culprit is Jiggy. I was surprised to see him in net the past two nights, exotically after the news reported that he had suffered some sort of injury at practice. I had a feeling that maybe the Ducks were playing him dude to another team wanting to have a look at him. *cough* Burke *cough*. With news coming out of Toronto at the obvious displeasure the Leafs have with Toskala, it seems Jiggy is destined to go to Toronto...it's just a matter of when? I also see that Lucas Sbisa is all but done in the NHL for this season. According to the Ducks website, the team reassigned him to play in the lower level, because according to Randy Carlyle, "there's too much pressure for him to play, considering the position the Ducks are in right now." In the OC register, Scott Niedermeyer goes further and says, "I think [the team] let him down."

The positives from last nights game are the same. Saku Koivu is showing the Left Coasters what we've been missing by having him in the East Coast all those years. He is truly a player that plays with everything he's got!

Lupul is scoring the way he should be with his talent and ability.

The Ducks have the ability to play hockey when they want to. So now it's just trying to figure out how to make them play like that every game.

Well, Toronto comes to town Monday, so it will be interesting to see if maybe Jiggy packs a duffel bag and leafs Anaheim on Air Canada or not.

Go Ducks!

203 Days

Habs Win! Habs Win! First time at home in 203 days!

Munchkins

The days of the Flying Frenchmen are long gone. This year's edition of the Montreal Canadiens seems to consist of little men skating like munchkins. My boss went to the Vancouver-Montreal game two weeks ago and he said that the Habs' forward lines must be the shortest in height of anyone he's known. Maybe it's best that I live in Vancouver because I'd hate to think what they're feeling in Montreal now. 2-5 is unacceptable. Changes will have to be made and soon.

Game 7:Ducks are Blanked and Blue 5-0

something embarrassing happened at tonight's game. it was so bad, that i found myself more interested in the Angels Yankees game playing on a different channel. that's sad! that was how bad things got for the Ducks as the Blues crushed Anaheim 5-0! I am not sure what happened last night except for the obvious fact that the Ducks were not scoring. Defensive was horrible as evident by the numbers. one has to ask the question, is Anaheim bad? Something is obviously in the water right now that is not right as you look at the standings. Teams like Colorado, Los Angeles and Phoenix are at the top of the ranks while Anaheim, Detroit and others are at the bottom. Anyhow, much like the Angel's baseball game, the night was a disappointment for the Ducks. Well in the words of Mike Scioscia, it's time to turn the page and look forward to the next game.

Nothing exciting but two points for Canucks

It wasn’t pretty, but it was exactly what the Canucks needed. Coming off yet another disappointing performance against their #1 rival in Calgary, the Canucks returned to GM Place looking for answers. The performance they turned in against a very weak Minnesota team is a blueprint for success for this Daniel Sedin-less team- they stood tall in front of Roberto Luongo, clogged the neutral zone and threw pucks at the net all night long. The “top” line of Henrik, Burrows and Samuelsson played well and generated chances. Henrik stills looks a little lost without his twin brother, but he continues to make plays and work hard in the corners. The second line of Kessler, Raymond and Grabner combined for 17 shots and the most exciting plays of the night. Finish continues to be an issue for this team, but this is not the team that will compete for top spot in the Western Conference. This is the team that has to keep the Canucks in contention while Daniel Sedin, Sami Salo and Pavol Demitra heal up and Luongo comes through his annual slow start. The always elusive second tier scores are proving they can make plays and get chances, the defense is looking tighter and more responsible. For the next few weeks the Canucks have to be a boring team. Good forechecking, tight defensive coverage and getting pucks on net will be key. The Canucks do not have a sniper or a game breaker that will steal points, they will win low scoring games decided on deflections and second chance goals- just like tonight.

Game 6: The Corey Perry Show

I've always said that every time Perry is on the ice, it turns into the Corey Perry Show, well that was the case last night as the Ducks got revenge on the Wild for stealing their last game, with a win tonight! Perry scored fast and early as he put in 2 goals within 8 minutes of first period. From there the Ducks held on with another goal by Carter, and then an empty goal/extra attacker in the third period to win the game 3-2. It was a great display of the PK unit as the Wild had 4 attempts and only one shot on goal the entire time! Let's hope this trend continues!

Go Ducks!

Game 5: Ducks Couldn't Make It In New York

Well, the Ducks were layed to rest when they crawled into New York. They were obviously exhausted from the road trip, and although I do not want to make excuses, I guess that's about all that can be said about the team. Jiggy did as well as he could do with no support from the team, so no complaints there. I am hoping the Ducks bounce back with these few days of rest and come back strong Saturday! I will say this, New York looked tough and should have a fun season run this year!

Go Ducks!

NYR Blog 10/12/09

A MAN WHO NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION...

Well I am going to do an introduction anyway. Hello fellow hockey fans and blog readers. My name is John Z and you guessed it I am a blogger. As a hockey fan for my whole life. I worked up quite a resume and known to be a fanatic when It comes the coolest sport on earth literally. Well maybe besides curling but I am not going to get into that. I am a big ranger fan who is a season ticket holder for 12 seasons now in Section 341. I play ice hockey since I was 3 years old and a little bit of roller hockey. I have met and play with NHLers such as Higgins and Raffi Torres. I am a rumor freak when it comes to Free Agency and Trade Deadline. I always stay on top on the rangers and always look for answers. Anywho enough about me. *clears throat* and the moment we all been waiting for. My first blog and here...we..go!

CAN I GET THE SAFFRON DEL ZOTTO...

Do we have a puck moving defenseman finally? Well by the looks of it MDZ, 19 years old, is making a statement already in the NHL. In 5 games, Del Zotto already has 2 goals, 3 assists and 4 pp points. If he keeps this up John Tavares Calder Trophy hopes can be kissed goodbye. It has been said the rangers would keep him up for 9 games and send him back to juniors to avoid a cap hit but Del Zotto has a say in it and hes showing on the ice. From being drafted two years ago almost making the team last year and Turning heads this year, you only have to think all good things about him. He has speed and great puck moving skills on the power play and everyone knows Rangers need help in that Department. Your blueline always will reflect on the Power Play. And now the rangers are scoring on the PP must mean one thing. Michael Del Zotto is the man( or boy) making it happen. Kudos to the youngster.

THE LINE IN THE SAND...

That line has been crossed so many time by Roszival in a short amount of time. From personal experience talking to the guy, very nice guy to talk to but I dont watch this team to make friends, I want hockey players. Torts system is way too fast for him and when he hears poke check, he shakes in his skates. Tortorella already sat him in the Caps games for the turnover by Semin which led into a goal. Tortorella will not put up with any bull Roszival will pull this year. If he keeps this up, the hour glass is almost up.

ITS A POWER PLAY GOAL???

Well the words us ranger fans all been waiting for..."Its a Power Play goal!!!" Why you say? As I said in the Del Zotto piece, the blueline dictates the PP. Look at Pittsburgh, Malkin, Gonchar, Letang. Look at Detroit, Lidstrom, Rafalski. 9 times out of 10 all these players are involve with a PP goal is scored. Now the rangers PP is working the same reason all good PP's work. Kotalik's slap shot helps alot to get the puck to the net. Del Zotto and Gilroy puck moving skills runs smoothly and they keep it in the zone. Girardi's smart hockey skills also give the PP a strong point. We can mention the offense with Gaborik Drury, Higgins, etc. In the end the Blueline is the most important on the Power Play.

Hope you enjoyed my blog. Send any questions to nyrjz341@yahoo.com.

Game 4: DUCKS WIN; SPECIAL CAMEO BY THREE-MU SELANNE

It's not often when I apologize for something, so why start now! The Ducks walked into Philly and stole 2 points, and quite frankly that's what they should do everywhere they go. I wasn't sitting in front of a TV watching the game, but every now and then I'd sneak a peek to see what was going on. All I remember thinking was that at the 2nd intermission it said Philly 2-0 and I thought "it's over." To my surprise I later heard they tied it then another update said they won! I could not believe my ears.

Five hours later, I sat down and watched the game on my DVR and noticed something odd about every goal the Ducks scored....they were all done by TEEMU! That's when the symptoms set in; my hands and feet got cold....I broke out in a cold sweat...and felt nauseous...I thought I was going to die, then I realized what was wrong: I was in shock because TEEMU showed up to play!

It's a strange phenomenon that's caused by severe distress and unfamiliarity to an event that only happens once in a blue moon (referred to as a miraculous event).I looked up the medical and psychological encyclopedias to get a more accurate name for what I was experiencing and then I found it: Faulty Finnish-itis. In other words, TEEMU (who happens to be from Finland) has a faulty connection in his playing skills that prevents him from playing this good everyday. So, the viewing audience is held captive waiting for the "good" TEEMU to appear and put up a hockey clinic like he did against Philly.

In the end who cares, I now have a diagnosis and the Ducks won. Who could ask for anything more? At least now I know not to expect TEEMU to be this good in the next game, and count the days before I see the "good" TEEMU appear again, or as I now refer to him :THREE-MU SELANNE!

GO DUCKS!!

Video: Corey Perry uses his head!

Game 3: Ducks Beat Boston

Well that was much better now. Not only did the boys in orange look like themselves, this time they shot the puck and scored. The Ducks beat Boston 6-1 in a game that the Ducks needed to win for morale sake. Not for the sake of the team but for the sake of the fans. Southern California fans are ruthless with their "what have you done for me lately" way of thinking.

What I liked about the game was that the Ducks power play was clicking and Teemu Seleanne even chimed in with with two PP goals! Bobby Ryan got his ice breaking goal, allowing him to breath a little easier so he can take his mind off his slump and put it on scoring.

Evgeny Artyukhin is getting very comfy in his new Ducks uniform as the "new large human" continues to be a force down the middle of the ice!

Next up for the ducks is a reunion of sorts. I still remember the Edmonton Oilers playoff games we had a few years back and what a pest Pronger was then. He was even able to get into the peanut head Jiggy causing him to lose his cool and start tossing jabs into the kisser of Prongs which sealed our fate from that game on. The Ducks will be facing the Flyers and Pronger so it will definitely be an interesting game to watch.

Go Ducks!

That Was Ugly

What an ugly game against the Canucks. I joked to my boss that if the Habs win could I get a raise. I hope I don't get a pay cut now.

Carey Price needs to step it up or Jaroslav Halak will take over.

Game 2: Ducks Lose to Wild

I didn't see the entire game, I was coming back from a call and was actually pleased to turn on the radio in the 2nd intermission to hear that the Ducks were winning 3-0. Steve Carrol sounded awfully confident and rightly so, I mean you would literally have to implode to lose that lead right? The last thing I heard Steve say was "unless something goes terribly wrong, the Ducks are on their way to their first victory of the season."

Well Mr. Carrol, have you forgotten who you're talking about? These are my Anaheim Ducks. This is the team that gets bored when they have a lead, and like to make things more interesting by giving up 4 unanswered goals. This is the team that likes to take penalties when its 4 on 4 in over time and lose the game winning goal with just minutes before going to shoot out.

I suppose I could sit here and start picking on individual players and say cruel things about their health or families, but I won't do that this year. This year I have pledged my allegiance to my team regardless of the outcome. I bleed Ducks Orange to the end! Win or Lose!

Yes, this is my team and I stick with them until the end. I said in an earlier blog that for some reason, even if the Ducks make it to the post season, it's never a pretty sight. I do believe the 2009-2010 season will be no different. It's only game two of the new season and we have more points than Detroit (even if we only have 1 and they have 0) but you have to look at the positives right? Well, I am positive there will be a game three and the Ducks will play in it, but that's about all I am certain of right now.

Go Ducks!

-----------------------------------

In other NHL news, I read tonight that Brad May just signed a 1 year deal with the Detroit RedWings which made them a tougher team in terms of PIM's and more fun when we face them in the playoffs! Nice job May Day!! See you in April.

TORO

Leafs go for the Gusto with Gustavsson

So the verdict is in from Ron Wilson and for all the Vesa Toskala bashers out there, you are happy to hear that Jonas Gustavsson will start his first NHL game. Now the real question is, does Vesa Toskala deserve all of this negative criticism after just 2 games? Everyone has their own answers however mine is a simple yes.

Vesa Toskala is 0-2, with a 4.74 GAA and an 800 save percentage. I know it's early but those are horrendous stats. Obviously you can't blame everything on Vesa however it is nice once and a while to have your NUMBER ONE goalie make a big save every now and then. He's lacking that game breaking save or that momentum shift save that can change the game. Staying true to Brian Burkes motto of no one is guaranteed a spot on the team or a start every night, this is a pretty obvious and easy move, plain and simple Vesa is not performing under a defense core that is supposed to be better than last year. They cannot continue to ride a goalie who just isn't playing up to par. The defense has not fully lived up to their expectations, especially new comers Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek, but the first thing that goes wrong when you think your defense is where it needs to be is the goalie change.

Now Jonas Gustavsson has clearly shown signs of being a reliable goalie, after "the save" against Detroit and the 3 periods of shutout hockey. Obviously you can't put much faith and judge him on that but it sure gives me a lot more to be happy about with him going in net compared to Vesa, the question marks have been surrounding him since last season and after a slow start it only makes everyone's Toskala jerseys that much closer to the fire. Jonas has nothing to lose in net, hes come in to take a job. He won't get sent down, he won't get traded, he is a young kid with nothing to prove other than he can play the goalie position in the NHL. I feel a lot more comfortable knowing tonight that we don't know which Vesa Toskala we will get, could it be the shaky Vesa Toskala or will it be the shades of greatness from sections of last season. However with Gustavvson we only know that he is a solid goalie and is willing and ready to prove to Leafs Nation why he was so sought after by Big Burkey. I feel as though after only catching a brief showing of Jonas that he has more upside to his game than Vesa, maybe I'm just so negative towards Vesa because of the weak goals let in game after game by him last year. Jonas brings a lot more size to the net and challenges shooters and doesn't get out of position too much like Vesa, correct me I'm wrong but I don't believe Jonas had an actual shot beat him, it was breakaways and scrambles infront of the net where he mad the first 2 saves but not the 3rd.

All in all, I was relieved to hear that he will be starting tonight. This kid has the team on his back and all these older guys will not want to let him down and have him falter like Justin Pogge, they are playing for themselves and the team but also for Jonas who has much to prove. So to my fellow Leaf fans, It's time to see what the Monster can do. GO LEAFS GO

Ducks get new coach??!?!

This kid should have been in the locker room with the Ducks for their home opener against the Sharks. Who would lose with this type of speech?!?

Ducks 2009-2010 Season Opener In The Books: I'm Glad That's Over With

Last night the Anaheim Ducks opened up the 2009-2010 season to a crowd of jeers and boos! Yes, Southern California fans were in attendance, as the sound of booing and "shoot the puck" filled the arena once again. The game itself was not stellar. The Ducks came out and were just plain flat as a pancake. The Sharks came back with their long memory still intact from last season's first round playoffs, and played the way they should have in that seven game series.

It's the same story every year with San Jose; strong regular season, forgettable post season. The Ducks, on the other hand seemed to have all eyes on them, and it showed. With the release of Pronger, and Beauchemin in the off season, the media was waiting to pick apart the defense, and so did San Jose. It was obvious from what I could see, that the "new" faces were nervous and still trying to figure out what their roles are.

Ryan Whitney stood out like a sore thumb as he got burned not once, but I believe three times. It seemed like every time a goal was scored against us, he was somewhere near it chasing after the goal scorer! When you think about it, he's filling some big shoes in Francis Beauchemin and is teaming with hall of famer Scott Niedermeyer.

So is it time to worry? Are you kidding me? It's only the first game!! That didn't stop the annoying fans from yelling at the players, as if it were any easier for the slobs in their seats to play in an NHL game! The one thing I can say is that the Ducks look like the same team I love dearly. They still aren't afraid to throw down the equipment and scrap, they still rack up the penalty minutes, and they still play physical hockey. That being said, the Ducks will still have a great season and go deep, fans just forget that it never looks pretty getting there. So with game one in the books and all the pressure fron the media off them for now, the Ducks can regroup and come out strong like they're capable of doing. After all, Detroit is 0-2 so far this season, but I don't think you hear Red Wing fans jumping off a cliff now, do you?

Things to improve on: Power Play, and (dare I say) staying out of the box

Forgettable players: Ryan Whitney

Memorable Players: Naby (He's was on)

Nicest thing I can say about the opponent: They moved their feet all night long

Nicest thing I can say about the Ducks: They can win when they want to.

101

Year 100 in the storied history of the Habs started off with great promise but ended with disappointment. We barely made the playoffs but the last glimmer of hope was the fact that we were playing the Bruins, our "favorite" opponents. But it wasn't even close.

So now in Year 101, what will happen? The team has already been dealt a bad blow with the loss of Andrei Markov for a month. But so far they are 2-0. Will they keep it up? Will Carey Price turn into Patrick Roy or Steve Penney?

Time will tell.

Film Clip: King's Ransom

This is going to be a cool documentary that I am looking forward to. It starts airing Oct 6, and any hockey fan is going to love it. It's all about the day Gretzky got traded to the Kings and the impact it had on the sport.

Cool Corey Perry Goal!