Archive for the 'Pre-Game' Category

06
Jun

Put Me In Coach

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

To have one’s name engraved on the Stanley Cup certain requirements must be met. A player must have at least 41 games played with the club or one game played in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, in 1994 a stipulation was added to allow a team to petition the Commissioner for permission to have players’ names put on the Cup if extenuating circumstances prevented them from being available to play. - NHL Fun Facts

parros_cup I have already stated in the previous post that I believe the Ducks will close it out tonight, so no assumption. Now, to get to what really bites ass, George Parros will not get his name on the Stanley Cup if he does not play tonight. He has played in 34 regular season games and only 5 playoff games this year. He still travels with the team, skates in practice and drills but that wont really matter. Sure, the team can petition Gary Bettman, but I think he will just shoot it down. Not being a particularly good hockey player is not an “extenuating circumstance” for not playing.

I don’t really like Parros all that much, I get the whole “fans love him” thing, he is a fighter and he has a unique look. Put aside my own thoughts on his hockey skills, this guy is a draw for the team. They even sell mustaches at the arena, that is some real fan appreciation with a hint of keen marketing. When Snoop supports you, you know you got a role on the team. His teammates seem to love him too. How can you not love someone who’s job is make sure your safe in your workplace? So the fan support is there, the team support is there, but will the commissioner care?

That means Joe Motzko, Ryan Carter and Drew Miller get their names on the cup after playing 4 games combined in the finals? Ryan Shannon will also get his name inscribed after he played 53 games in the regular season. It seems very crappy that Parros will miss out. Randy Carlyle is a take-no-shit kind of coach and he doesn’t care about things like this, in my eyes at least. Which is a great asset for a coach, that means he wants the team to win first, correct. I personally think George Parros sits in the locker for game five, which really sucks for George Parros, but is a good thing for his team. You can’t take a spot from a player who can at least contribute. But if he did get the chance to dress, you know the Honda Center would erupt, about as loud as when the final horn blows tonight. Bench the balloon and put Parros out for a shift, I personally think he deserves it.

Ducks: 50 - Ottawa: -3 (3 own goals that will count as negatives)

PS: If Randy Carlyle does this, it is a mistake and might backfire by hyping the Senators up. Then again, they really shouldn’t need to be hyped up, this an elimination game and all.

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

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.

17
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.)

13
May

Whine & Cheese

By Daniel 4 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Blog, Conference Finals, Ducks, Hockey and Pre-Game

I have been online for about 10 years now, in the current sense really, where I actually contribute to the internet. I used to have a wonderful site that had a couple thousand registered users, thousands of hits a day and all that fun stuff. I had to deal with the occasional user that would taint a forum post or a sour comment. I started this blog because I really love hockey and I love to cheer for the Anaheim Ducks. But my god, this sphere of hockey blogs is almost like commenting on a Digg or YouTube post at times. As the series against Vancouver started, Canucks blogs would link me up and especially since the conference finals were set, that is when things took off. Thank you to Earl Sleek, Bill at A2Y, Scott Warheit and Matt Saler mostly, those four sites have driven the hits way up for me. It is just funny to me how people on opposite sides bash each other. Whether it be directly in a post or comments, it is usually the visitors making the comments though. Arguing online is so stupid, how old are you?

As for today’s game, it is going to depend on which teams show up. I bet both teams keep the same tempo, no reason for either team to think they can let up. Red Wings fans, if you think nothing is wrong and all is well, you are living in a bubble. Maybe you are mixed up with the Pistons-Bulls series, because this is not an over matched series. Everyone has their own point of view and mine is defiantly skewed towards the Ducks, I have honestly been watching this playoff season in a non-biased way. I watch as many games as I can, though I did miss a lot of the Red Wings-Sharks series.

I bet we see the same thing as we did in game one, but I bet the Ducks score a couple more goals in today’s game. I wont really know until later tonight, because I am recording the game and wont be home until about 8PM. I wont look for the score or anything throughout the day, I will wait until I get home and get to watch the recording. Fuck you commercials!

I will go out on a limb here as well and say the Ducks win tonight 3-1. I don’t like to give game predictions because the dynamics change too often in a series. But I think the Red Wings are going to get the best Ducks team tonight, because they don’t want to go home down 0-2.

11
May

Let The Game Begin

By Daniel 2 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Former Ducks, Hockey, Players and Pre-Game

Today is the day, the day that everyone online can shut up for 3 hours and take in what should be the start of an awesome first to four slugfest. This wont be the soft Wild team with reigning goon champ Boogard or a Vancouver squad who didn’t look like they wanted to start the physical game with the Ducks. Detroit will bring it and you know they will drop the gloves if it does come to that, but more likely just get togethers in front of the net and in the corners. Face washes, slashes to the shin guards, pushing, shoving…hockey damnit! There are no Sean Avery’s to piss people off and not get in it, anyone who starts something will finish it. Detroit has seen this in both of their series, so this shouldn’t be anything new to them.

All the players are saying the first ten minutes are the most important, eight days is a lot of time off after all. I would expect a minor bit of rust, but once that first shift is over at Joe Louis, everyone will be dialed in. I will bet a lot of money that the team that shows up tonight will be the team that showed up in game one of the Vancouver series. The team that came at you to boot up your ass, that kind of attitude. Bet your ass that Anaheim will not come out flat in this game, Randy Carlyle and the veterans will simply not allow that. They will stress the fact these Wings are slightly crippled. Finish every check, if you have support and can get away with it, lay down the big hit. Beauchemin will take that opportunity, he would love to change the attitude of a game with one shift. He has had a decent hit in each series, no reason to think that changes here.

The majority of media types are picking the Ducks. Not because they hate Detroit, media doesn’t pick against the Yankees, they just say they don’t like them. When someone makes a prediction on a game or a series, they want to be right, not because they dislike the other team. Anaheim was built for this moment and everyone knows it. They wont fizzle out in crunch time like past Ottawa teams. Top to bottom, they are the most complete team remaining in the playoffs and beg someone to argue that. The other three teams may have an edge in something like third defensive pairing or fourth line scoring balance, but when you can interchange guys on different lines double them up, it balances out.

I really hope that Todd Bertuzzi shows up in this series, Holmstrom can not take all that beating himself. This is his opportunity to get back at anyone who said he was done. I really don’t know what happened to that guy. I know he was hurt most of this season, but damn, he is so big and so gifted. He also looks really good in Detroit, bit pricey, but I still think he is a good fit if he can produce. But I am not up on my Red Wings knowledge, so I will be quiet.

Lets go Ducks, lets go out and get this, then wait for Ottawa!

09
May

Get Your Red Hots!

By Daniel 4 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Former Ducks, Hockey, Players and Pre-Game

I have this really bad habit of taking after my dad, he is a huge St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams fan, has been his entire life. But my dad also seems to think it’s the Rams year, every year. He was right once and then they fizzled out. While I don’t think the Ducks will win every year, I do think this year is their year. So that means they have to beat Detroit, which I think they can do in six games. But I also said that I would give the Red Wings some time, so that is what I will do. I will go against my religion and point out things about the Ducks that I think Detroit can exploit, Babcock, take notes. So here we go…

I am not from Detroit, I have never been to Detroit and I will probably never go to Detroit but if I know one thing, it is that the city adored Steve Yzerman. The man was given a key to the city and has an official Steve Yzerman day, January 13th, in the state of Michigan. Sports Illustrated gave him a special cover, they never cover anything in hockey, just that little one page run down at the end, so you know he was special. I don’t think any athlete was as cherished by a city as he was in Detroit, very classy Detroit, that makes me feel good about being a fan of this wonderful game.

Now that era is over, this is Nicklas Lidstrom’s team now, if you want to go through Detroit, you have to go through him. Sheer talent, the mold of what a two-way defender should be, he is the best. I say that being the Ducks fan I am with both Pronger and Neidermayer on the team. If he were a little bigger and nastier, he would be the blend of Pronger and Neidermayer. So is he enough to carry his team this year, especially with Mathieu Schneider gone for the playoffs? Time will tell that story, lets keep rambling on. But, lets keep on the same track and talk about the defense and the last line of defense.

Chelios, Lebda, Lilja, Markov and Quincy all played in game six against San Jose, so those are the ones I am going to go off of. Combined they are a +13, Quincy and Lilja are the only minus players and that is -1 for each, that is pretty impressive (Chelios is tops with +7). In contrast, the Ducks “D” is +8. That is good for the coaches to know, that way they can get the matchups they want. Detroit knows it has its best chance of scoring when Kent Huskins and Joe DiPenta are on the ice, but if Randy Carlyle is smart, he wont dick around this series. A steady diet of his at least one of his other four defensemen should be on the ice at any given time, playing with DiPenta or Huskins. Babcock should salivate with the last change if he sees both of those players paired together, rolling out Zetterburg and company.

Now the goalie matchup is a clash of the titans in this round too. Giguere defeated Backstrom and Luongo while Hasek took out Kiprusoff and Nabokov. I don’t think you can say any team had the edge in that department, all four of those guys are top notch netminders. In this round it comes to a showdown, who can make that unbelievable save to keep the game tied or keep the lead for their team. The man with the age and all those trophies or the one who has something to prove, that 2003 wasn’t a flash in the pan. This will be the last great goalie dual this playoff season, so lets see how many times we get to see these two go at it.

Then there is the forward battle. This is going to be a pretty even matchup as well, but I have to give the edge to Anaheim on this one. The first two lines of both teams cancel each other out, but the checking line for Anaheim can actually produce a decent amount of points. They have given the Ducks 15 points and a +5 rating, while playing against the Sedins and Gaborik. Detroit’s checking line has 7 points and is a +6. I am not sure if they matchup against the opposing teams top line, only allowing them one more goal seems kind of fishy. Scoring will come down to who wants to get the dirtiest, who wants to crash the net the most and who can take the least amount of penalties. The Ducks will rub Hasek a lot, count on that. Can the Ducks keep Holmstrom’s stick tied up, clear rebounds and keep Todd “Mr Irrelevant” Bertuzzi from having a big series? Personally, I think yes to all of those questions, but I have my own biased opinion.

Ducks fans know Mike Babcock’s style of hockey, we know what to expect and we know why it works. Play solid team, defensive hockey, create a turnover and use your transition game for scoring opportunities. The Ducks used it because the team had speed up front and pretty decent defensive core, it worked obviously. The 2007 Red Wings don’t lack as much punch as the 2003 Mighty Ducks, so they can open it up a little more. Time will tell if it is enough to beat the Ducks four times though.

Who wants to step up in this series, who wants to make an impact? Can the Wings withstand the physical beating that they will take from the constant forecheck? Chris Kunitz, where are you? Todd Bertuzzi, please stand up. Detroit, you better stand up to the physical play, otherwise it’s over sooner then later.

08
May

Norris Conference Finals

By Daniel 2 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Finals, Ducks, Hockey and Pre-Game

I finally get to start using my Conference Finals category, I am very excited.

This series has some decent plots to it, but I think my favorite is the fact that all the Norris finalists are in it. I don’t care too much about past series because how many players are really left over from 2003? Hell Mike Babcock is the other teams coach, so it really doesn’t mean anything. This is going to be one amazing playoff series, but would have been better if the Sharks could have pulled their heads out of their asses and shown some heart. I don’t think the more talented team came out from the San Jose-Detroit series, but the more deserving did. Now I sound like Darren McCarty after the Ducks swept Detroit in 2003, nevermind, lets just move forward before someone gets hurt.

 

Scott Burnside picked against the Ducks, citing the heroic efforts of Detroit in the last 3 games of their war with San Jose. Or…San Jose is a bunch of softies and let the series go. Detroit is no doubt a very good team, but don’t expect Anaheim to just let them back in games, this isn’t the regular season against Columbus. Detroit is injured, Anaheim gets back Todd Marchant and probably Ric Jackman. Lidstrom is awesome, but he isn’t that awesome, he can only play so many shift. The loss of Mathieu Schneider for 5-on-5 and power play situations will hurt. He was second behind Lidstrom for power play time, I bet that puts a damper in to the effectiveness with a man advantage.

With Marchant coming back, that means you have a fourth line of Marchant, May and probably Thornton. Scoring threat? Maybe one goal in the entire series. Defensive liability? I guess you could argue that, Thornton isn’t the greatest skater, but he hasn’t been a huge liability this year, he has been here most of the season. If Jackman comes back, you could even scratch someone like Thornton and have the extra defensemen, then throw any of the other nine forwards in that other slot to get them more ice time. You could also bench Huskins, who has looked a little uneasy at times, then dress Jackman. Adding those two players really gives Randy Carlyle a couple good options to juggle between each game.

For Detroit to become a real threat in this series, one guy has to show up for them, Todd Bertuzzi. Four points is not enough for a man his size and skill level. He HAS to have a big series, he has to be a whore in front of the net and he has to be nasty. Can he do all of this with his back? Who knows, Pronger leaning on him or Sean O’Donnell throwing those love taps on his hip, it will add up over time. One guy who we know wont have a problem being in that position, Holmstrom, will be himself. I really hate Detroit, but I absolutely love Tomas Holmstrom.

Further breakdown will come in the next day, I have to find something to do until Friday, but my lunch break isn’t enough time to research. Another food for thought moment, how about how Anaheim can roll two real scoring lines and two checking lines that have an OK chance of scoring? Sammy is a +4, playing against the best line almost every shift. That alone could sum up the series, but I will waste more time when I get home. Don’t worry, I wont be a total homer, I will try to write some good about Detroit.

03
May

Give It A Rest

By Daniel Closed
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Ducks, Hockey and Pre-Game

My thought on tonight’s game is that the Ducks will come out and pound Vancouver like they did in game one. Why? To put a stamp on it and let the Canucks know exactly who the better team is. To let the next opponent know they are not really a weak team that can’t finish. To show themselves that if they want, they can run the table on anyone they see fit. From Ryan Getzlaf’s obvious cocky swagger, to Chris Pronger’s physical dominance, to the two goalies who can out duel anyone in the league. This team reminds me of how the Yankees think they are just the most badass team in the league. But they do it without making complete asses out of themselves, still preaching team play and 60 minutes.

Here is an honest question you should ask yourself, as long as you have seen a couple Ducks games this season. Can any team play its best 60 minutes and win if the Ducks also play their best 60 minutes? Top to bottom, I do not think it is possible.

Anaheim has three wonderful forward lines and a fourth that Randy Carlyle throws out when he is bored and wants his boys to go down a man, just for a PK refresh. Defense…Well, I think the Norris nominations sum that up. Pronger and Neidermayer have great complimentary wing men in O’Donnell and Beauchemin to boot. Kent Huskins and Joe DiPenta look shaky at times, I will admit that, but they don’t play enough to really hurt the outcome of a full game. Alain Vigneault is smart though, he tries to get his gunners out on the ice when Huskins and DiPenta are out, but that obviously isn’t winning them very many games.

When Vancouver steps on the ice tonight, it will be the last time they do so this season. Watch for a determined team that wants to get its star right winger a rest. A team that wants to get Ric Jackman and Todd Marchant back in to the lineup to add even more depth and make that fourth line worth a damn. Watch as this team comes together like they want to actually win this game. Look out Canucks, just ask the Minnesota Wild what happens on elimination day.

29
Apr

Game Day Gut Check

By Daniel Closed
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Ducks, Game Reviews, Hockey and Pre-Game

So which team is going to show up today? If the team that show up in game one comes to Vancouver, then we all know what can happen. You have to hope that Randy Carlyle will stress that to the team, then again the players in the locker room should be saying the same thing. Anaheim made one mistake that actually cost them in game two and it just happened to bbe Chris Pronger who made it. Luongo played his ass off as usual and kept his team in the series.

The one player who shines in every game, for me at least, is Ryan Getzlaf. This kid is simply a stud. He has an amazing slap shot, soft hands and a nasty edge to him. All of this while being a decent two way player. He sure can’t be blamed for not hustling and giving his all in every shift. Getlaf and his line mates need to be more of a factor in this series. They need to cycle like the Sedin’s in game 2 and use their size to dominate, so I guess that is two of the same thing huh?

But honestly, the only thing that needs to change for the first game in Vancouver is the power play. They peppered Luongo in game 2 and they need to continue that. Vancouver looks to be losing even more defensemen and they have called up a player. Lets see if Vancouver can be lucky again and somehow squeek out another win, reality says that they were plain lucky.

Nothing has to be said by anyone, you know the players know that they have to play better. Typical Ducks fashion, they took a day off after thinking the team they were facing was not a worthy opponent. Look for the Ducks to pound on the Canucks even more, because they didn’t last game. This is the kind of thing a team looks for to get itself motivated, lets hope that Vancouver stirred something up.

A little end note here. I was at the game on Friday and it was worth the price, except that whole loss thing. My favorite part of the whole night was seeing Garrett Burnett in attendance. If you don’t know who Garrett Burnett is, he was the Ducks enforcer for the 2003-04 season. On December 26th, 2006 he was assaulted outside a bar and was left in a coma after serious head trauma. The fact that the Anaheim crowd knew who he was before they even flashed his name made me smile a little.

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