Ducks’ Defense Falls Apart in Third, Stars Explode for 6-3 Win
By Sean
Nov 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas (3) and left wing Ray Whitney (13) and defenseman Brenden Dillon (4) and center Shawn Horcoff (10) and center Rich Peverley (17) celebrate the goal by Robidas during the third period against Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (not pictured) at American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Ducks 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The last time I wrote a recap, the Anaheim Ducks got blown out 5-1 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Well, I really hope this isn’t becoming a thing, but tonight the Ducks got blown out by the Dallas Stars, 6-3. Things were looking good after the first two periods. Emerson Etem cashed in on a nice feed from Daniel Winnik and beat Dan Ellis to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead that would last into the second period. Antoine Roussel tied the game up in the second as he crashed the net and the puck hit off his skate into the net. But, in the last minute of the second period, Nick Bonino beat Ellis shortside on a rush to give the Ducks the lead…….but then the third period started.
Right from the get go, the Stars jumped on the Ducks. At the 5:25 mark of the third period, the game changed dramatically. Cody Eakin slapped a one-timer by Hiller. At the 5:50 mark of the third period, Stephane Robidas fluttered a bouncing puck top cookie to give the Stars their first lead. At the 6:18 mark of the third period, Ryan Garbutt beat Jonas Hiller up high as he overtook Cam Fowler and had a short breakaway. So, the Stars exploded for three goals in 53 seconds to take a 4-2 lead. Four minutes later, Roussel got his second of the game when he deflected a shot by Hiller. Dustin Penner tallied for the Ducks on the power play later in the third but that would be the last tally for the Ducks. The Stars finished off with an empty netter by Alex Chiasson.
I don’t know where to start. In the first two periods, the Stars shot themselves in the foot with some poor turnovers that the Ducks weren’t always able to capitalize on. In the third, that would be reversed. However, Eakin’s goal to start the madness was a result of sloppy defense and poor backchecking. Etem didn’t skate hard enough through the middle of the ice to help come back and cover the cross ice pass to Eakin and Hampus Lindholm played the wrong man, Chiasson as he cut from the slot towards the corner, opening up the passing lane for Erik Cole. Then, on Robidas’s goal, four Ducks just sat back as Robidas got to a loose puck first and there was a weak poke check on the shot, I can’t tell who it was by the replay, and Bonino was barely entering the defensive zone when the goal was scored. Then, after losing a puck battle, there was a race between Fowler and Garbutt as the puck rolled towards Hiller from the Stars’ zone and Garbutt overtook Fowler in the Ducks’ zone even though Fowler had maybe a ten foot head start. The Ducks shutout the Stars’ most talented offensive forwards, but couldn’t shut down their grinders. smh.
Nov 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Ryan Garbutt (16) celebrates his goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (not pictured) during the third period at American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Ducks 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
What made the difference in the first two periods was that the Ducks won the puck battles and forced turnovers from the Stars. What made the difference in the third period was that the Stars won the puck battles and the Stars forced sloppy turnovers and were able to capitalize. I definitely was frustrated with that third period. Of course, we didn’t hear a single peep from the Stars fans in attendance the entire game until they scored those three goals in quick succession and they didn’t shut up until the game had ended. Just goes to show you, Stars fans like to hide under rocks and crawl out from their shadowy depths when their team explodes for goals. Another thing that bothered me was the rain of hatred towards Hiller by Ducks fans on twitter. Seems like they forgot that before he allowed four goals in the third period, he had stopped 90 of his previous 94 shots faced (total estimate there, but surprisingly close to being true). Before they fell apart in the third, I had plenty of good things to say……..well I don’t know what happened but I seem to have forgotten all of them……OH! Maybe it’s because they ALLOWED FIVE GOALS IN THE THIRD PERIOD AND LOST 6-3, ALL IN ONE PERIOD. Screw it, on to the next one.
Scoring Breakdown by Period:
Shot Breakdown by Period
Powerplay Efficiency:
Other Statistics:
Three Stars:
| Star | Team | Pos/Name | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| LW Ryan Garbutt | G, 2 A, +1 | ||
| LW Antoine Roussel | 2 G, +1 | ||
| C Vernon Fiddler | 2 A, +2 |
Up next is the Calgary Flames on Friday night from Honda Center.
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