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Anaheim Ducks: Celebrating 11th Anniversary of Winning The Stanley Cup

By Ciara Durant

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Whether you’re new to the Anaheim Ducks or have been following the team since their inaugural year in 1993, today we are all celebrating the anniversary of our 2007 Stanley Cup victory.

It is hard to believe that eleven years have passed since the Anaheim Ducks celebrated their most momentous occasion in franchise history. It took 40 years to bring the Stanley Cup to California. The Ducks were the first ones to do it.

All of their hard work and dedication had been tested to the limits. Finally, it had proven to be enough to make them champions. The honor of raising the Stanley Cup was bestowed upon them.

There are not a lot of things that make me tear up. However, I have to admit, I got a little emotional this morning re-watching footage of the moment the Ducks realized they were the Stanley Cup Champions.

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The Road That Led To Lord Stanley

The Ducks found fearless leadership in coach Randy Carlyle and captain Scott Niedermayer during the 2006-07 season. Finishing first in the Pacific Division would also prove to be favorable for Anaheim.

The road to the Stanley Cup, however, would not be an easy one. They would first have to make it through Minnesota, Vancouver, and Detroit.

The Ducks maneuvered through the first three rounds, hitting only a few bumps along the way. They defeated both Minnesota and Vancouver in Game 5. Then, they took down the relentless Red Wings in round three, with a 4-2 series.

One last obstacle stood between them and the Stanley Cup. The Ottawa Senators faced their own road to get there and were up for the challenge. Ottawa had quickly made their presence in the playoffs known, winning each series 4-1 against Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Buffalo.

A Series Break Down

Home ice advantage proved helpful during the first two games of the series. The Ducks managed to fend off the Senators with a one-goal lead in both games.

However, Game 3 was more difficult for the Ducks in more ways than one. Anaheim fell short, losing their first playoff game against the Senators 3-5. Star defenseman Chris Pronger was also suspended for one game following a hit to Ottawa’s Dean McAmmond. More salt in the wound for the Ducks in Game Three.

The Anaheim Ducks didn’t allow a loss or the suspension of a key player to shake their confidence. They came back and won Game Four in Ottawa, 3-2. Anaheim had one victory standing between them and the Stanley Cup.

A Day For the Anaheim History Books (June 6, 2007)

Game 5 was not a guaranteed win for the Ducks. Ottawa had proven that they were a worthy opponent. This series could have easily gone on for a few more games due to the talent of both squads. The Ducks eventually found a second wind and made the dream happen.

Anaheim came out in full force from the initial puck drop.  Assists from Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Pronger set up Andy McDonald for a power-play goal 3:41 into the game. Then at 17:41, with an assist from Corey Perry, Rob Niedermayer slid the puck past Ray Emery for their second goal of the night.

The Senators picked up some momentum in period two with two goals of their own.  Future Hall of Fame center Daniel Alfredsson scored at 11:27 and 17:34. Goals from Anaheim’s Travis Moen and Francois Beauchemin put them up by two.

The Ducks entered the third period with a 4-2 lead over the Senators. They would impressively put two more scores on the board before the third period ended. With another goal from Travis Moen at 4:01 and Corey Perry at 17:00.

The final buzzer sounded.

The Anaheim Ducks were the 2007 Stanley Cup Champions and the celebration commenced! Lord Stanley was coming to California.

Next: Cam Fowler has the right stuff to be the next Ducks captain

Although it has been eleven years since the most wonderful moment in Anaheim Ducks history, the moment still lives on for all of us!

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