Anaheim Ducks Win In Thrilling Fashion, Beating Nashville 3-2 (SO)

Viktor Fasth Gets Anaheim Ducks Back In The Win Column

Jan 26, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Viktor Fasth (30) blocks a shot by Nashville Predators center David Legwand (11) during the overtime shootout at the Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Nashville Predators in a shootout with a final score of 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Anaheim – The Anaheim Ducks improved to 3-1-0 behind a great performance from NHL rookie Viktor Fasth to grab the second spot in the Pacific Division as the Dallas Stars fell to the St. Louis Blues at home. Fasth stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced and all three shootout attempts the Nashville Predators had. After losing his cool the previous night, Corey Perry kept it and netted the lone goal made in the shootout.

First Period:

The first period of play saw the Predators (1-1-3) score two minutes into the game when winger Brandon Yip got his own rebound and got the puck past Fasth. The period did mark the Ducks continued struggles in the early going at home.

Second Period:

The Ducks could not get much done on offense in the second until the later stages when Bobby Ryan redirected Cam Fowler‘s shot from the blue line to beat Vezina Trophy candidate Pekka Rinne causing the sellout crowd of 17,174 to erupt in joy. The Ducks seemed to have all the momentum going into the second intermission.

Third Period and Overtime:

Jan 26, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Daniel Winnik (left) and Nashville Predators right wing Martin Erat (center) battle for the puck during the first period at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

In the third frame, the two teams were battling to a stalemate until just over halfway in the period. Predator center David Legwand his second of the season off of a rebound briefly giving the visitors the lead back. The lead was short-lived as the newcomer Daniel Winnik kept up his hot streak just over a minute later. Neither team would score in the remaining 8+ minutes in regulation or the extra five in overtime.

Shootout:

In the Ducks first shootout of the season, the Predators went first. Martin Erat missed his attempt as it went wide. Captain Ryan Getzlaf went first for the Ducks, but Rinne was able to stop his attempt. The Preds Mike Fisher was next up and Fasth had no issue stopping Fisher’s attempt to go five-hole. The lone good goal was scored when Perry skated from the right side before getting the puck under Rinne. Fasth deflected the final attempt and then caught it mid-air to seal his first career win.

Game Statistics:

SOG:

 Power Play Efficiency

Shootout Attempts

Three Stars:

The Ducks will take the ice again on the road Tuesday night. They face off against division leader San Jose Sharks at 7:30 p.m. PST. The TV broadcast of the game will be available on Fox Sports Prime Ticket, while the radio broadcast is available on AM 830 (LISTEN LIVE).