07 Playoffs archive at Duck’s Blog

Archive for the '07 Playoffs' Category

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.

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!

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.

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.

May

Midnight Bandits

By Daniel 4 Comments

Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Game Reviews and Hockey

First off, every Detroit fan needs to be quiet. Your team blew it every time they had a powerplay, so I don’t want to hear a damn thing about how the Ducks got lucky. Everyone knows the Red Wings out played the Ducks, but you know what, the scoreboard says 2-1 Ducks. Brett Hull and Ray Ferraro can eat a big you know what, so lopsided in everything they say, at least Bill Clement stays neutral. Only one reason why the Ducks won, J.S. Giguere, and…? A whole lot of couch coaching on NBC, I guess even they hate Anaheim.

I don’t really have anything else to say, the Ducks absolutely sucked and rode the excellent goaltending. I really hope that they come out in game six and actually give a shit, you know, like they are about to go to the finals? Simply amazing, Detroit had so many chances, I honestly can’t believe it and I am in awe. I will come back later with something else, I gotta get ready for my banquet.

May

Random Catchy Title

By Daniel Closed

Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Hockey and Pre-Game

I can’t think of something witty for the title this morning, my kitten woke me up after five hours of sleep so thoughts are slow and staggered. Also, check out that new logo, I am so glad I don’t pay for Photoshop, because I suck with graphics.

As for the game this afternoon, I can’t wait until it starts. It should be an awesome contest in Detroit, both teams need to win but we all know only one can really do that. Ducks win if they play disciplined, physical game with plenty of forechecking to disrupt the defense. Make that outlet pass a little harder and have the second tier pressure take away the easy pass, create a turn over and drive to the net. Kind of like Perry’s goal in the first period last game. Detroit wins if Anaheim doesn’t play with emotion and doesn’t do the things above. Anaheim dictates the flow of the game, they win, simple as that.

I don’t know which team shows up, the Ducks have been so up and down on who they want to bring to the rink in this series, I am not sure they really deserve to win it. Of course if they win game five, I will probably think the opposite. Defense wins championships, the Ducks have that this year. They have the goalie they need, the cast of forwards to at least keep them in the running if a game turns into a shootout (not the one-on-one kind). Both Detroit and Anaheim have good transition games, but Detroit seems to be a little bit better, Zetterberg is rather fearless when he attacks Pronger or Neidermayer.

So lets see which team shows up, lets hope its the one from game one or four but with less penalties.

May

Deuce

By Daniel 14 Comments

Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Game Reviews and Hockey

What a hockey game, what an effort by the Ducks. They did exactly what they needed to do and they did it without Pronger, which is even better. This will have little effect on the Red Wings psyche, but will provide a good jolt to a Ducks team that needed to see what they were made of. Other than Giguere, Pronger is probably the most important player on the Ducks roster, I bet it feels great to win this game in the fashion they did. Detroit threw everything they had all throughout the game, even having two 5-on-3 chances for 45+ seconds on each chance. What more can you ask for from a team that wasn’t supposed to even have a chance, a team that was supposed to be down after losing 0-5.

I personally have no nails left, I pretty much bit them all off after watching the last seven minutes of the game. It was pulsating with energy, I can only imagine what it must have been like to be have been at the Honda Center. The Red Wing fans were in full force, as usual, as was that annoying Ducks fan the camera always finds. You know the guy, the one who does the bang, bang thing with his fingers and wears his gayPod headphones and all the Ducks paraphernalia…Orange County…

Honestly, what more can any guy or any of the coaches ask for each other from game four? Everyone on the roster played to their strengths, played pretty smart hockey and got the job done. It was kind of a surprise to see Ryan Carter out on the ice tonight. He had 36 points and was a -5 this season in Portland, hardly the guy I had in mind to play in place of Ryan Shannon. Whatever works though, you can’t say it was bad move by the coaching staff, they DID win. Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne all had their best game of the series. Selanne may have had his best game of the playoffs, he was fighting for pucks, kind of finishing his check (kind of) and he even created a couple chances for his teammates.

From a physicality point, the Ducks simply took advantage in that department. Todd Bertuzzi certainly got his licks in on Francois Beauchemin, but flip that coin as well. Pahlsson was a monster tonight, he created chances, played awesome in his own end and did anyone see the aging Chris Chelios get up pretty slowly after Sammy cleared him from the front of the net? Beauchemin knocked Bertuzzi down on that play too, which got him a nice shove after Beauchemin came over to see if Todd was okay, he looked pretty frustrated. Anaheim walked all over Detroit in this case, they walked right into the crease, doing what they wished. One play, Rob Niedermayer came in after Hasek covered the puck and the whistle had blown. Rob stopped about six inches away from the Dominator and Datsyuk pushed him a little and Robbie kind of shrugged it off. Total lack of respect for the guy guarding his teams net, haha.

But you have to give Detroit credit, they made a game out of it. At 3-3 I was a little worried, not too much but just a little bit. You have to admire a team that comes back like they did, given the situation. Emotions were high, the Ducks HAD to win this game and Detroit knew it, to come back from two goals down is big in my book. They got two more power play goals tonight, which is too many, any power play goals is too many.

Anyway, this is a Ducks blog, so lets move on now shall we.

Pronger out, Jackman in and who was going to step up to replace those big minutes? Beauchemin and Neidermayer both played over 34:00 minutes, the often left out veteran Sean O’Donnell played just over 24:00 and Huskins played 12:38. The May, Thornton, “Carter” line had the only minus players. The biggest player was the man in goal though, Jean Sebastian Giguere played his ass off, he gave his team a chance to win and they rewarded him for it. The shots were 39-23 Detroit, you know your goalie had an excellent game if he faces that many shots and you win. I raise my Jack n Coke to you sir.

Now we move on to Sunday, good god could they have waited any longer to schedule a game? Detroit needs the rest, squawk all you want about how tough and destine your team is Detroit fans, your boys need a couple days off. I have a banquet to go to on Sunday for the high school hockey team I coach, so I might be delayed to post that day. Now I will concede to the ones who love to comment here, I wonder how vocal they are going to be given tonight’s results.

Jason, Dan…Hooters is back on the radar, who is bringing the Blue Moon or whatever else wont kill Dan?!?! RocketRob of comments fame, you are invited. We will have to formally initiate you though, bring a helmet and an extra set of clothes.

May

Cleanup On Aisle Four

By Daniel 24 Comments

Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Hockey, Players and Pre-Game

Well, well, well. Here we are, it is finally Thursday and we can all waste time at work arguing EVEN MORE about the hit, the suspension and the superiority of the ~~Yankees~~ Red Wings. While I honestly believe the Ducks can win this game tonight, it is the first time this year that I have doubt some doubt if the team can pull one out. They have not looked dominant in very many games this postseason, which with this cast of players shocks me. Anaheim has to pull together tonight, because if they lose this game, they wont beat Hasek three games in a row. Also, losing this series will probably spell the end for the Giguere era, I doubt they can re-sign him. Then again, maybe Brian Burke can steal him for one more year and make a couple other adjustments, do it Burke.

Hopefully we see Ric Jackman and not Aaron Rome in the lineup tonight, one regular season and one playoff game are not enough experience for a game of this magnitude. Ric is dependable as is everyone else on the blueline tonight. As long as they tie up sticks and wash faces, making it as unpleasant as possible for anyone trying to get a sniff. Hockey is a game of memories. Whether it be how this guy undressed you with his stickwork or how someone pounded your face in to the glass. The Ducks wanted to send a message after being blown out, it was just a little overboard on one play. If the Ducks can play with that much emotion but keep it contained, they should be fine tonight.

And what about Chris Pronger? Well who cares really, he was suspended and now it is over. Colin Campbell and the league are a bunch of idiots though. Campbell said he thought Pronger’s hit was an intentional shot to the head. Ok, so if you believe that, why the hell was he only given one game? Sorry, but that isn’t enough time for something that could be insanely dangerous. Hockey is a tough sport, but look at some old football players, head injuries are serious, not something you brush over with a one game suspension.

Detroit fans, do with this as you will. You guys always have something to say, never objective though. Thirty-two comments in the last thread, let’s see if we can’t beat that today. But…I guess that has more to do with the game tonight, if Detroit wins you will be all over it. If they lose, you will say something like “Stupid refs” or “Chris Fucking Pronger” or “Your team was named after an Emilio Estevez movie” (Men at Work?). Always remember this, Ducks fly together!

Final Score: Ducks: 100 - Red Wings: 99 (100 goals by the blow up doll in front of the arena, per Earl’s request.)

May

Whine & Cheese: The Sequel

By Daniel 33 Comments

Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Game Reviews, Hockey, Injuries and Players

Wow, that was a pretty embarrassing loss. I don’t think anyone should take it too seriously though, but the Red Wings sure did roast Anaheim last night. I can’t really single anything out except the late goal by Holmstrom in the first, that one looked like a punch in the stomach. Everyone played like shit last night, especially Scott Niedermayer, but we already know that don’t we? He let two cross ice slot passes by that went in for goals, that is pretty bad. The Ducks seem like they thought tonight would be cake, that Detroit wouldn’t have anything left in the tank after losing game two in over time. I personally thought the same thing, I didn’t think the Red Wings would be able to shake the loss off that easily, but I was wrong and they did.

Detroit did an excellent job of mixing everything up last night, Mike Babcock and his coaching staff drew up some good stuff in the sand. That goes to show you how good their team is and how cohesive they are if you can role any three forwards together and get results. One way to stop the shut down line of the Ducks is to make sure they aren’t playing against your teams best forwards, last change didn’t mean a damn thing in game three, they were beaten at every level.

As for the big hit on Holmstrom, they nabbed the wrong guy, Niedermayer hit him with his shoulder and Pronger shoved him. Pronger also hit him in the upper back and rolled up to his head with the forearm. Holmstrom’s helmet came off a little to easy, as was evident a few other times in the game. I am not saying what Pronger did was right, it is fucked up to try to injure anyone, if that was his intention. Obviously I come from my perspective as a Ducks fan and say a penalty for Pronger, but no suspension needed. So all the Red Wings fans get up in arms, you want the suspension and you want him arrested, etc. You would have the same reaction if the roles were flipped, but you wont attest to that, so lets just keep going.

But some of these comments you guys leave are fucking ridiculous. The Red Wings won in a very exclamation type fashion, you all stayed up late so you could go to all the Ducks blogs and comment on how awesome your team played. Some even saying “we”. Players don’t say ‘”we”, they say the fans were great or they call them a sixth man or something like that. Some people need to separate fantasy from reality. Then others wish mortal harm against Chris Pronger? What the fuck!?!

I never did like him, funny how I felt sorry for him when he took the puck to the heart a few years back. Now I recognize him for the goon he is. - Rocket Rob

Then someone else was chirping about the Getlaf high stick was a good thing, which was about an inch from ending the wonderful career he has ahead of him. This is some sick shit, real classy. I cheer for a team that played a not so clean game last night, really one play, but I will be damned if I EVER wish harm on someone.

The league will go ahead and do what it wants about this whole issue. So you can throw up all your little poles, buzz about in your comments and forums or call the commissioner. I have zero problem with the Red Wings hockey team and even most of its fans. Like I said, you are like Yankee fans and think you are on a pedestal, maybe that will change in game four, seeing as how you can’t borrow goals from a previous game.

I think what upset me the most about the game last night was that I upgraded my cable package so I could get the MOJO channel, which switches to Versus HD when a hockey game is being broadcasted. Not only did the Ducks lay a golden egg, the quality of the video was half ass. Plus the commentators for Versus couldn’t get anyones name right either, damn it!

Let the hate comments commence…

May

Knew It All Along

By Daniel 12 Comments

Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Game Reviews, Hockey and Injuries

I wont be a complete ass tonight, because I was very impressed by the character of this Red Wings team. They had an answer for every goal the Ducks scored, except the last one of course. They took the pounding and even handed some of it out as well. But that doesn’t really matter right now, the series is tied and it’s time to come back to some nice weather. The Wings know that this one slipped away, the look on their faces when they went to the locker room summed it up. I know this is the most biblical Red Wings team in recent memory according all the online fans and I don’t know what I am talking about when it comes to the team, blah blah blah. Let us see what they come with on Tuesday after losing in OT.

As for the Ducks play, what can you say. They played physical, they played fast but they were not that sharp. I don’t have enough fingers to count the turnovers or bad passes they made. That isn’t normal, one thing Anaheim does well is pass, especially the outlet pass, they looked like crap. But they won the game without on of their best forecheckers and more responsible forwards. So it should be a great game three, hopefully the crowd can ignore their cell phones long enough to cheer for the team without needing the “LETS GET LOUD” graphic.