Anaheim Ducks’ Frustrations Boil Over as Detroit Red Wings Sweep Two-Game Series

Mar 24, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Red Wings players

(25),

(18) and

(20) celebrate after a goal in the first period as Anaheim Ducks players

(51),

(6) and

(5) react at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Anaheim, CA – For the second game in a row the Detroit Red Wings frustrated the Anaheim Ducks’ offense and Jimmy Howard stole the show. Howard made 33 saves and the Red Wings won 2-1.

Detroit scored first early in the first period when Dan Cleary deflected a slap shot from Jakub Kindl past Jonas Hiller. It was a power play goal after Francois Beauchemin was called for tripping Valtteri Filppula. Just over a minute later, Matt Beleskey and Jordin Tootoo dropped the gloves. Not many punches were thrown in the fight. After a few decent scoring opportunities for the Ducks, the Wings got their second when former Ducks Drew Miller put home an Ian White rebound for the 2-0 lead. Late in the first, Corey Perry and Kindl came together in an incidental knee-to-knee hit, but both would be fine.

Mar 24, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center

(15) and defenseman Brian Beauchemin (23) argue with referee Gord Dwyer (19) as Detroit Red Wings left wing

(40) listens in the third period at the Honda Center. The Red Wings defeated the Ducks 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks finally got on the board in the second period, albeit late in the second period. Ryan Getzlaf scores as he wrists one by Howard on the power play. It was a bit of an uneventful period, besides a couple of penalties and a post for Peter Holland. The start of the third was also a bit uneventful. The Wings defense and Howard really started to frustrate the Ducks in the third. The Ducks worked really hard in the third. After a failed Ducks power play, a rowdy Detroit fan threw an octopus onto the ice. Personally, I loved when the Ducks broadcasters said, “I don’t know how that guy smuggled that into Honda Center.” “I don’t even wanna know.” After some more incredible saves by Howard, Getzlaf was called for tripping Filppula with less than a minute left. This is when tempers just flared. It was a battle along the boards and Filppula fell over. Getzlaf just dropped his stick and threw his arms up in the air in frustration. He then began his ranting towards the officials. Perry slammed his stick against the glass at center ice in frustration. Getzlaf would get the 2 minutes for tripping, 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike and a 10 minute misconduct. Perry would also get a 10 minute misconduct. The most surprising thing to happen next was a 10 minute misconduct and game misconduct to………Teemu Selanne. Someone known for never trying to explode at officials. You know there is some bullsh*t going on when Selanne gets pissed off. So, out of all that the Wings would get a power play. Unbelievable, right? The Ducks won the resulting face off and were able to push the puck up ice. Hiller went to the bench and Cam Fowler would get denied by Howard with three seconds left. Fowler was one-on-one with Howard, and Howard came way out to challenge Fowler and took away any kind of angle Fowler had. 2-1 the final.

The Ducks were visibly frustrated with the officiating. When the Ducks got their first power play, the players on the bench sarcastically tapped their sticks on the boards. The Ducks fans were also obviously frustrated as they serenaded the referees late in the third period. When take a step back and look at the game as a whole, the Ducks definitely should have won this game. They played much better than they did on Friday night and much better than the Red Wings tonight. It’s always frustrating to lose, but tonight’s loss just had a little something more to it. The team as a whole didn’t really play poorly. It’s an unfortunate result, but the Ducks need to get past it. They get right back at it tomorrow night when the rival San Jose Sharks visit again.

Three Stars:

1.  Jimmy Howard (W, 33 SV)

2.

Ryan Getzlaf (G, 6 S, 14 PIM)

3.  Cam Fowler (2 S, 22:50 TOI)

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