Apr 03, 2012; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) before the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-US PRESSWIRE

The Ducks continued a long road trip this week with games in Colorado, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The Ducks began with a convincing win over the Avalanche, 4-1. Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne, Kyle Palmieri and Niklas Hagman all tallied in the win over the Avs. The next night, the Ducks lost in a shootout to the Flames, 3-2. Daniel Winnik and Ryan Getzlaf scored for the Ducks, but the team was unable to score in the shootout. The Ducks next traveled to face the Edmonton Oilers and secured a 2-1 win with goals from two veteran Finns, Selanne and Hagman. In the back end of a back-to-back, the Ducks were held scoreless against the Canucks. However, the Canucks were not able to score either, so the game went to a shootout. Then, both teams lit the light a total of five times in the shootout. Getzlaf, Selanne and finally Rod Pelley all scored in the shootout to give the Ducks their third win of the week. By far the most successful week of the season for the Ducks in this simulation with a record of 3-0-1. That brings their record to 6-12-6, 18 points. They are no longer dead last in the West or in the entire league……they are tied for dead last, in both, with the St. Louis Blues.

The two point leaders for the Ducks, Selanne and Hagman, both had strong weeks with both of them tallying 2 goals and 1 assist. Teemu now has 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points and Niklas now has 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points. Some other Ducks with strong weeks were Ryan Getzlaf in his return off of injury (1 G, 2 A), Cam Fowler (3 A) and Luca Sbisa (3 A). The top three team leaders in goals are Hagman (8), Selanne (7) and Andrew Cogliano/Saku Koivu (4). The top three team leaders in assists are Hagman (9), Selanne (8) and Fowler (7).  So, the top three team leaders in points are Hagman (17), Selanne (15) and Fowler (9).

There were no significant injuries for the Ducks this week. Ryan Getzlaf made his return from elbow injury with a bang. Cogliano is continuing to fight his broken foot while Hiller nears his return from a broken ankle.

Now here’s a new section of my updates for you guys on this simulation. From now on, I will include the league’s headlines from the week, league wide injury report, and the league’s three stars of the week. (This coming directly from the EA Sports article.)

Week Eight (Nov.26 – Dec.2) Headlines

·         San Jose Sharks win 4 straight to lead the NHL; top line of Havlat/Thornton/Marleau combine for 26 points during the streak.

·         Boston Bruins struggling without Chara & Lucic (out due to injury); fall to last in the Easter Conference.

·         Ottawa Senators win three straight to lead the Northeast division and drop the Montreal Canadiens, who started the season 8-0-0, to 4^th place in the Eastern Conference.

Injury Report:

·         Ilya Kovalchuk (NJD) out 4-6 weeks with an MCL Sprain.

Three Stars of the Week: Presented by Hockey Ultimate Team

1.    J. Thornton SJS (1G, 4A)

2.    M. Havlat SJS (3G, 3A)

3.    M. Grabner NYI (4G, 2A)

Thanks for reading! Any questions? Contact us! Or follow us on twitter @DucksDailyBlog! We’re back on Facebook, so like us! Keep calm and pray for hockey!!!

Follow me on twitter @ddb_sean! Follow my fellow Staff Writer on twitter @bauerhockeydude!

Nov 25, 2011; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Bobby Ryan (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at The Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Once again, click here for the entire article on Week 7 of EA Sports NHL 13 Season Simulation. Week 7 of their simulation includes games played from November 19 to November 25. The Anaheim Ducks had three games simulated during this week, including games against the Phoenix Coyotes, the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks. They came into the week with a record of 3-12-2, 8 points. They were last in the Western Conference and last in the entire league.

The Ducks first game of the week came against the division rival Coyotes, in Phoenix. It was a low scoring affair that was settled in overtime. Bobby Ryan got his FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON in the 3rd period to tie the game. However, the Coyotes scored around halfway through the overtime to win. Brad Staubitz and Niklas Hagman got the two assists on the Ryan goal. The next game, the Ducks hosted the Blackhawks. Bobby Ryan got his second goal of the week/season with assists from Hagman and Cam Fowler. Hagman continued his hot start getting his sixth goal of the season from Ryan to give the Ducks the 2-1 lead early in the 2nd period. The Blackhawks tied it late in the period and the game had to go to a shootout where Patrick Kane was the lone goal scorer to give Chicago the shoot out win. The Ducks finished the week off with a trip up to San Jose. After a scoreless first period, both Teemu Selanne and Devante Smith-Pelly scored to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead going into the third period. Luca Sbisa, Nick Bonino, Matt Beleskey and Kyle Palmieri all tallied assists on those two goals. However, the Sharks tied the game in the 3rd period and eventually won in a shoot out thanks to big Joe Thornton.

So, the Ducks were 0-0-3 during the Week 7 simulation, improving their record to 3-12-5, 11 points. The Ducks remain in last place in the Western Conference and last place in the entire league. Some Ducks fans would enjoy hearing that the reigning Stanley Cup Champs, the Los Angeles Kings, are second to last in the Western Conference with a record of 6-11-3, 15 points.

I’m on my fall break from school right now, so, I have so free time. So, I was able to get a tally on scoring leaders for the Ducks. However, there has been one game where I could not get the statistics for one Ducks goal. So, the stats I have are not entirely accurate, but still pretty good. You’ll never guess who leads the team in points.

Mar 10, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Niklas Hagman (12) chases the puck in the Dallas Stars zone during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Ducks 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

Veteran forward Niklas Hagman leads the team in points with 14 (6 G, 8 A) in 20 games. Teemu Selanne is second in points with 12 (5 G, 7 A). Both Hagman and Selanne lead the team in goals as well, 6 and 5 respectively. Again, both Hagman and Selanne lead the team in assists, with 8 and 7 respectively. If you want an update on the RPG line, here are there stat lines. Bobby has 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points. Perry has 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points. Getzlaf has 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points..

When it comes to injury news, this is the first time I’ve ever mentioned any of their injuries in any posts, veteran defenseman Sheldon Souray was out with an undisclosed upper body injury but has since returned. Jonas Hiller broke his ankle during Week 3 of the simulation and will return to action next week. Ryan Getzlaf fractured his elbow during Week 4 of the simulation and will return to action next week. Andrew Cogliano broke his foot in Week 4 as well and will be out of action until Week 9.

Thanks for reading! Any questions? Contact us! Or follow us on twitter @DucksDailyBlog! We’re back on Facebook, so like us! Keep calm and pray for hockey!!!

Follow me on twitter @ddb_sean! Follow my fellow Staff Writer on twitter @bauerhockeydude!