Archive for May, 2007

31
May

Ottawa, Be Yourself

By Daniel Closed
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Ducks, Game Reviews, Hockey and Stanley Cup Finals

I was unable to watch the first period of this game do to unfortunate DVR malfunctions, but I heard it was a really good period, lots of hits and chances. I can talk about the rest of the game though because I watched that live.

You know what, it looked a lot like game one did. Physical from both sides, good chances in front of the net and turnovers from the Senators. Another thing I noticed is how I didn’t notice the Ottawa gunners when the shut down line was on the ice. The contrasting styles between Buffalo and Anaheim are pretty obvious. Team defense can stop a run and gun team, but doesn’t do as good when a team tries to go through you instead of around you.

This season is no different from the 2003 run in the sense of media coverage. I remember the praise that Steve Rucchin was getting for playing the same role Pahlsson is in this year. Even with a Selke nomination, people still couldn’t point out Sammy Pahlsson. I guess all it really takes is a finals appearance to garner some attention. Articles about Joe DiPenta and Kent Huskins were also floating around, Joe D. isn’t even playing. When you see Snoop Dogg in the crowd, you know we know hockey, give us oblivious-to-anything-outside-Orange-County citizens some credit.

This post really has nothing to add, it was a game one clone. My previous post about physicality also relates to this game. Ottawa does not want to get in to that and prove how tough they are, they took bad penalties for that stuff. Not that the Ducks can score on the powerplay though, so if you want to give a guy a two minute rest, tell him to take a penalty. The “faster ice” in Ottawa should help you guys skate more right? Well, then you can really open it up on the Ducks then and use some of that speed and short passing we have been hearing about. Don’t waste your energy proving you can take the bumps, you need that to finish periods or games.

How about this scenario. Ottawa is up by a goal or two with about ten minutes left in the third, but they have been banging with the Ducks all game long. Too tired to mount any kind of physical presence down low, the PPG line cycles the puck for a good minute or so, walks out in front of the net and pounds away until they chip one over a sprawling Emery. Your hearts sink and your will to continue playing are all but lost. Stick to skating and standing up for yourselves, don’t initiate anything. Did being really physical get you guys to this point or was it skating and scoring?

30
May

Feels Like the First Time

By Daniel 3 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Ducks, Game Reviews, Hockey and Stanley Cup Finals

This doesn’t look good for all those people picking Ottawa in six, hell, even seven. Much like the previous series the Ducks have played in, the opposing goalie has stood on his head to keep his team close, only to break his teams heart when something goes in, like it’s Emery’s fault. The goal was not the best to let in, but he did bail his team out of about nine other times. Sure Ottawa came out and banged some more, the hit on Scott Niedermayer was solid, but you know it only riled the Ducks up. I think Ottawa has this whole thing twisted, they aren’t really playing their tempo and then they try to match the Ducks. Cute. You don’t bang with this team, it does not work like that. The Senators were tired at the end of the second and third and it was easy to see. Goes to show you how rolling four tired lines doesn’t match up well against a team that takes away your will and actually wants to go in to corners to get pucks when it counts.

On to Saturday, where we can have some real ice and then stop all these complaints about how bad it is in Anaheim and that is why Ottawa can’t get going. And the refs, yea they were absolutely horrible. Both sides of the ice fellahs. Score on the 5 on 3, then you have nothing to complain about.

30
May

Whine & Cheese - More of the Same

By Daniel 1 Comment
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Ducks, Hockey, Players and Stanley Cup Finals

I think there were a couple of times last night where Ray Emery had the puck covered and there were two or three extra hacks at him… - Brian Murray

You know how you stop a player from sniffing around your net, poking your goalie? The same way you teach a cat to not claw your furniture or piss on your carpet, you smack it on the nose and give a stern NO! It is no different in this situation, if you want the Ducks to stop crashing the net, smack them on the nose, make it uncomfortable for them to be there. The referees will let you pound someone a little more in front of the net after the whistle or during a scramble for a loose puck. 

   

Where is the puck? Pahlsson and Niedermayer are both roaming around the net without a stick across their hands or a glove in their face. How many Senators does it take to not clear a puck? You leave Andy McDonald, all 5-11, 185lbs of him, untouched in front of the net. A guy can not score a goal if he is planted in the ice or has a glove in his face. If anyone comes around the Ducks net, they learn very quickly that they are not welcome and it will not be tolerated. Either you are going to sit in there and take the punishment or you are going to move. Tomas Holmstrom gave the Ducks fits in front of the net, that guy has some balls to stand in and take that, he was always causing a problem. That is a good example of what needs to be done.

The Senators were regularly out of position in game one, the Ducks seemed to always be behind them when it came to crease mayhem. What exactly were the Senators doing for eleven days? This was no secret in the three previous rounds, every goalie complained and commented on the traffic as did the coaches. The game plan is simple every time, get shots through and clean up anything that needs to be cleaned up. While none of the Ducks goals in game one were of this variety, you know it is coming some time down the line. Though Mike Comrie did get a goal like this, kind of, standing off to the side of the net.

We’re going hard to the net and we’re going to go try and score goals, we’re definitely not trying to do anything to provoke him or injure him, by any means. - Ryan Getzlaf

Why do I envision a smirk on Getzlaf’s face when he said that? I don’t think they are trying to injure anyone, but provoke, yes. You know that is part of the plan, to take the goalie out of his comfort zone, to make him think traffic is coming and I need to watch out for that. Less than 100% focus on the puck. The Ducks play until the whistle blows, maybe one extra poke or whack. You don’t like it, read the first paragraph. Ottawa doesn’t give it back, maybe they should try it out. Then again, we all saw what happened when you take a slapshot after the whistle blows. Either play tougher or turn the other cheek, but being bullied around figures to only help the Ducks. Seven more hours…

28
May

Same Old Song And Dance

By Daniel 5 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Ducks, Game Reviews, Hockey and Stanley Cup Finals

Bad penalties, a couple power play goals, nothing 5-on-5, 5-on-3 chance, just enough goals to win. The Honda Center was rocking and game one was a damn good matchup. I was suprised to see how good the Senators were, but it wasn’t enough to win on this night.

The Ducks had seven penalties, one or two weren’t all that bad, but some were just plain stupid. Getzlaf’s cross-checking penalty that helped the Senators get the lead was plain useless. He got away with all of them except the last one, but he kept pounding away and that is what happens. The Jackman “clothesline” on Comrie was a stupid penalty as well, but Mike sure went limp pretty easily. And how about that 5-on-3? They sure make it interesting huh?

The Ducks shutdown line erased “those three” guys from the stats, only Alfredson had a point. They were also held without a shot in the first period, despite the first five to seven minute flurry by the Senators. Out scored them by one point and had a -3 to +3 +/- ratio, that isn’t a good stat.

For the Ducks goals, they were created by a turnover, a quick transition game from the Ducks defense and hard work down low with bad slot coverage. Drew Miller created the first goal with a great hit on Redden as he tried to chip the puck over Selanne who gloves the puck and gets it to McDonald for the quick wrist shot. Ric Jackman moved the puck up to Perry at the blueline who hit a gliding Getzlaf and squeked a weak backhander through Emery’s legs. (Why wasn’t he down?) Then the game winner from Travis Moen, from Rob Niedermayer from behind the net, skipping even.

Ottawa was by far the most physical team the Ducks have faced in the playoffs, but it was really only in the first period. The Ducks did the same thing and wore the Senators down as the game went to the third, very visible as Alfredsson and company kept fumbling the puck later in the game. This is what every game will look like for the Senators, the Ducks wont change their style no matter what the situation is and finishing checks is one of their keys

The PPG line was as advertised in this game, proving to be too much for Ottawa down low and the fourth line was as good as any line for the Ducks and played the best game of the season perhaps, Brad May actually contributed! Ryan Getzlaf is primed to take off in this series, he looks like he wants to shine on the brightest stage and boy do I hope he does.

As I said in one of my comments, I don’t think Anaheim has played its best yet. Tonight was one of their best all around games all year long, every line played great and gave the other team fits. There were only a couple shifts that looked bland and not very physical. Mainly the play of Teemu Selanne who had some odd choices of shots and pressure, but even he played pretty good over all. Once the Ducks can figure out how to slow down the Senators power play, much like they did for Detroit, then we can see how well Ottawa can play with some adversity. There were positives for Ottawa, but when your team combines for a -15 +/-, you have to be worried down the line. Not one Ottawa player was a plus and not one Ducks player was a minus. Can’t wait for Wednesday.

And can’t wait for the excuses…

25
May

Ghosts Pasts

By Daniel 8 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Ducks, Hockey and Stanley Cup Finals

“These guys, they’ve been on a mission all year and I was fortunate to be added late,” said May, a trade deadline-beating acquisition. “You come in here and you couldn’t help but feel the emotion and the sacrifice and see what these guys are willing to go through, and I’m really happy to be a part of it.” - LA Times

That is the team drive and you have heard it all year, since the trade that brought the Ducks in to the forefront, this team has had one binding mission and it is to bring all the hype to hush and prove that they are the best team in the league this year. No chip on their collective shoulders, they have done what it took to win. Detroit lost the the series? I am not so convinced. The more I think about it, the more I replay the end of games four and five on my DVR, the closing minutes were a team that knew what needed to be done. Detroit drove and drove at the end of game six, but couldn’t close, flip that coin and the Ducks got that goal.

I have heard all the talk about Ottawa missing out, being a disappointment these last few years. You would think that losing Chara would have killed them, but here they are, right where that guy couldn’t get them. I think that says a lot about a team’s composure. One of the knocks I have on them is that when you hear about why they made it this year and not in the past, is because Daniel Alfredsson stepped up and truly became the leader. So who is beating the Ducks, Alfredsson or the Senators?

I am willing to bet if you could measure desire and determination, the Ducks would have this one in the bag. Listen to Ryan Getzlaf speak in interviews about the team, he speaks as a born leader and he is 22, so many generals in a locker room. I don’t think the Ducks have even peaked yet, they haven’t played their best game and i’ll bet those who watch the Ducks with a passion could agree with that. If this team is on, you won’t beat them. Brad May is a dick, but those are some true words above, from someone who has seen these playoffs many times. Can’t help but feel good about the Ducks.

23
May

Ducks vs Senators - The Blog Wars

By Daniel 2 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Blog, Ducks, Hockey, Misc and Stanley Cup Finals

                                        Chris Pronger                                                                             Danny Heatley

             VS           

Playoff Beard.com

Oh man, this is going to be a blast. My buddy Dan (–who sent me the team picture on the previous post, happy now?–) asked if the Senator blogger’s were going to be like the Red Wings. Now, I really didn’t seek out anyone last series, I just sit back and do my own thing and let things come to me. But I was curious, so I took a gander at what a Senators blog might be saying, a confident group I must say.

Their first 2 series were forgone conclusions and almost impossible to watch. I thought the Wings lost that series more than the Ducks won it.

Then some argument about how Zetterburg and Datsyuk each had six points and flew around the ice uncontested. They have played better forwards in Buffalo and in Pittsburgh and the Ducks powerplay is mediocre. The Ducks hit early, but not late in games and not for a whole series. And Carlyle is as a good a coach as Niedermayer, Pronger and Giguere.

Objection! - Sustained! - Your honor?!? - What counselor?

The Penguins and Devils weren’t exactly awesome competition either. Detroit’s studs scored on the powerplay for 150% of their points, free roaming I think not. Buffalo may be deeper as far as all around 1-4 lines, but yea right, who has been as talented and as sized as the PPG line? I am not sure what to say about the powerplay line, I think the Senators should take some penalties and test that one out. I wont even talk about the physicality of the Ducks, that was just stupid to say that. As for Randy Carlyle, whatever, that one will be determined when this series is all over and Ottawa got a sniff at winning more then one game.

We have too many days now to sit at our desks or on the couch and bitch at each other about how kick ass our respective teams are and how much the other team sucks. I can not wait to hear the jokes about Disney, cartoons, video games, the movies and the market that the Ducks play in. We already know that California is not a hockey market, we don’t give a damn, that, along with the Coach Bombay jokes are over ten years old. I fell like I am in junior high hearing ‘Yo Momma’ jokes, oh snaps, heard that one before.

Believe this though, the series wont even be close. Ray Emery isn’t half of any of the three goalies the Ducks just roasted.

23
May

Get Over It

By Daniel 7 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks and Hockey

My god, I say one thing that doesn’t praise the Red Wings and people attack. I actually only said that they lost because ‘”hey couldn’t get it done” when it counted the most. I thought they played an incredible series against the Ducks, facing all the adversity they had and really made this more of a series then I thought it was going to be. I have said that so many times throughout the series and I am tired of it, Red Wings fans just don’t get it, so who cares anymore, Detroit lost and now it is all over. Unlike people who swarmed here (a post that was from before the blowout game just so they could get their licks in) the second game three was over and then trashed my post regarding the actual game with all their Red Wings Own propaganda, I made a simple, true statement about what the author had posted.

All the trash talking, all of it and now nothing. A bunch of high school kids I say. Every time the Ducks sucked, I said it and put them down further, though only in my own little world of being a fan. I’ve heard from some people that I am not objective on here, I actually think I am. Sorry I don’t cheer for the other team when they play the Ducks, maybe I should start doing that, will that help?

Thank you to the good Red Wings fans, I know you are not all tools, Paul and RocketRob were very good commenters. Some others were objective at times, but for the most part they all came here and talked shit, but they are utterly silent today, hiding in their troll dens. I don’t care to argue the point or say that the Ducks kicked the Red Wings ass, I just don’t get why everyone bitches and then can’t simply say that the team they cheer for lost. I know I was fully prepared for it given how the Ducks played. So no flame wars.

22
May

Was It Good For You Too?

By Daniel 5 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Game Reviews and Hockey

Damn that looks sexy!

I know I need a cigarette, how about anyone else? I am down to my first knuckle since finger nails do not grow that fast. It was an absolute gem of a game if you are a Ducks fan, other then the last couple minutes, what more could you ask for from a team? Detroit brought it at the end, but they couldn’t put it in the net when they needed it the most, and THAT was the biggest difference in the series. Both goalies stole games for their teams, the Ducks simply put it behind Hasek when they needed to. Whine, throw a fit, bitch at the refs. Again, Detroit had a couple powerplays to tie it up, a big fucking goose egg…AGAIN.

The PPG line hounded Detroit’s defense, made them look down right silly when they cycled and over matched them down low. McDonald actually had chances and made things happen, Selanne finished out the series on a high note and the shutdown line did everything except take someones virginity. Todd Marchant was absolutely key in this series, he pretty much replaced Chris Kunitz and made it very transparent that he wasn’t dressing.

Everything about this series screamed inconsistancy, but that doesn’t really matter now does it? I got it right with Ducks in six, but I sure didn’t invision it happening like this. This is the team you will see against Ottawa on Monday. Congratulations to the Ducks, I was very humbled tonight by this team, I thouhgt they down right sucked in every game except the first one. You saw the best and the worst of this team and I hope Ottawa took some notes, because it wont be pretty, hell I don’t even think it will be close. More to come tomorrow, sleepy time. I get to use the Stanley Cup Finals category soon, yes!

22
May

Win One For The Reaper

By Daniel 3 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Hockey and Pre-Game

Because I think he owns your soul after you made a pact with the devil.

It is 7:35 in the morning and I already want to go home. I want to get home and watch what could be the last game against Detroit, a series that has stressed my nails to the point where they might just give up and not grow back. I used to have a problem with biting my nails, I fixed that, but now it feels like I fell of the wagon and just can’t help it. Pretty soon I will on the street corner begging to bite someones nails, or is that too much? The point is, work sucks, especially on a day where motivation to do anything is almost twelve hours away.

So, given the outcome of game five, lets flip a coin and see who wins. The team I think will show up this evening will be the team that knows it can close out a series tonight. The Ducks should come out flying, pounding and relentless in front of the net. They have a goalie that is dominating and stealing them games and some veterans that are getting them the goals they need to squeak by. The PPG line needs a big game, they need to be that second option that this team needs desperately to take the pressure off of Selanne, McDonald and Marchant. If you don’t have to play against Lidstrom, you need to produce a little bit more and they are all capable of that.

I would like to see more of that in your face forecheck, in your face play in front of the net and more shots from anywhere on the ice. Shots deflect off of sticks from players just skating through slot not paying attention to the puck, off of skates angled perfectly, screened goalies. SHOOT! Play good defense, stand Detroit up at the line, draw the offside or the nuetral zone turnover because you were on them and were covering lanes. Who is going to stand up and yell at the other guys to pick up their game, to give “10%” more and get to that deflection or gain posession in the corners.

Another reason they need to give it their all, they don’t want to go back to Detroit. If that happens, I don’t even know if I would watch game seven, because they will almost certainly not pull that one out. I know they won twice in Detroit this series, both in OT, but that luck might run out. The other reason I can think to make sure you win tonight, because if the previous sentence stays true and you lose game seven, your season is OVER. That means that all the hype was just that, hype. Sure you might come back next season and rip everyone a new one, but I don’t think I can watch baseball for a few months knowing the Ducks blew it. I can’t even watch baseball, so give me something!

Plus, I am thinking a roster shakeup will come to town, win or lose. Joe D, Huskins, Parros, May, Thornton and O’Donnell will all probably be looking for new jobs. I don’t know what the contracts are on some of them, but I know O’Donnell is not signed through next year and he will probably not be resigned. Burke wants some young talent to come up and learn from horse one and two, like Beauchemin has. Oh, that goalie, what’s his name again? Whatever it is, he probably wont be back either. Giguere is going to command so much money it isn’t even funny. Conn Smythe in 2003, if they advance here he could do it again. He is money in the playoffs, everything about him screams playoff thief or crunch time performer. I think they trade Bryzgalov, they might be able to negotiate something, but that leaves little room for tinkering at the end of the season. So win it for this team that may not be here next season.

Quote of the Day:

“If I was Detroit, I would not be worried about being down 3-2, because they dominated, they can go in and win (Game 6) and come home and win Game 7.” - Brett Hull

“That’s why he’s [Brett Hull] on TV because he’s going to make statements like that, we didn’t play our best game but at the end of the day you have to be able to win the hockey game.” Chris Pronger

Exactly Brett, don’t be such a dick. It really is that simple huh? Didn’t Detroit do just that in games four and five? I would be worried, they haven’t exactly won since game three. You can’t borrow goals from previous games. Maybe you should come out retirement for a game, Rocky, show Chris Pronger who’s boss. Ferraro was pretty whiney on that telecast as well on Sunday, but at least he wasn’t a douche popsicle.

20
May

Obviously He’s Thinking…

By Daniel 12 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Game Reviews, Hockey and Players

I don’t know what the hell he’s thinking.

I am kind of lost in this whole mix of Randy Carlyle’s coaching strategies these last couple games. Who is Ryan Carter and Joe Motzko? I would much rather have a swift Ryan Shannon and a tough Shawn Thornton who have actual games under their belt instead of two rookies who haven’t even played five regular season games let alone Stanley Cup conference finals experience. Especially since the AHL team didn’t make the playoffs, which means they haven’t played a game for a while. I think we need to bring Bobby Ryan up too, why not, he needs the experience.

The top line is useless in this round, Selanne’s OT winner today was gift wrapped, the other was a lucky swat. McDonald is not even relative against Detroit, he is a speedy skater, that is about it. Loosing Kunitz hurt, he was that first guy in and made the defense keep their head up, or else they got steamroled. Sammy and company have done their job, I can not say anything bad about them, except Rob takes penalties, more on that in a second. The PPG line is doing what the acronym suggests, they are good for a point a game and are the most dangerous line on the team. Ryan Getlaf, you sir are a stud on skates, you are an awesome hockey player.

I think the only positive from game five was the penalties situation. I think they were clean in the first period, but really bad in the second and OK in the third. You could tell that Anaheim wasn’t pushing the issue when it came to physicality, they were avoiding the extra stuff in the mix ups in front of the net. Remember Kopecky wrangling Brad May for a good 15 seconds? He took it, whoa! The only time I saw something was when Getlaf was jawing with someone and he threw a slight punch at the Red Wings player. Other then that, they really played soft. That is not their game and it allowed Detroit to dictate the physical nature of the game and that just shouldn’t ever happen against the Ducks. I think that had a little to do with tonight’s game, they were timid and were worried about not taking penalties to give the Red Wings extra chances to score. Better fix that in game six, find a finer line fellas.

Lastly, remove your heads from your asses. Maybe the Ducks think they are just so badass that they can do whatever they want. I’ve said this before, I think Anaheim believes they can score a goal in crunch time if they want one and they will worry about winning in overtime when that time comes. Cocky attitude, but it seems to be working so far doesn’t it? Detroit fans, if you guys happen to lose on Tuesday, I will feel like you guys got robbed. I truly believe the better teams wins four games, but jesus, the Ducks should just say thanks but no thanks to advancing. Concede to Ottawa or just let Detroit represent the Western Conference, you guys look like shit run over twice. Go Ducks!

PS: Poor Andreas Lilja, he must feel like really bad. I bet that everyone in that locker room is pointing fingers at themselves though and not at Lilja. They should be at least, he did score the only goal for them. The rest of the team should have buried about five other goals if not for rushed passes on 5-on-3 situations and every other powerplay they had. Don’t chastise him Detroit, it really isn’t his fault and everyone knows it.

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