Freeway Faceoff Part 3: Ducks Finally Win One

DUCKS WIN! DUCKS WIN! DUCKS WIN!!!!

The Ducks finally get a win, and it couldn’t have been against a better opponent. The Queens were unable to beat the Ducks, who actually looked like a real team! Hiller had an amazing game, the offense put on tons of pressure and the defense was smart.

Game Recap/Notes:

First Period: Ducks look sharp, which has been a common theme in the third period. Quick makes a critical error and is caught out of net, Ryan buries a rebound!! (ANA-1, LAK-0). Bit of back and forth going on, shots tied at 5 each. Selanne and Koivu had a solid 2-on-1 but offsides was called. Ducks actually have some defense tonight. Its very odd. Getzlaf throws a pass right to Perry who is directly in front of the net and tips it in! (ANA-2, LAK-0). 

Second Period: Off to a rough start as the Kings look more dominant. Hiller with a huuuge save on Loktionov. Perry down. Looks like he had an awkward fall after Penner cross-checked him. Being helped to the locker room. Perry is back on the ice!!! Ducks applying tons of pressure on Quick. Drew Doughty playing dirty, refs finally call a penalty. Tons of traffic in front of Hiller, Ducks d-men get distracted and Slava Voynov barely gets one passed Hiller (ANA-2, LAK-1). 

Third Period: Back and forth pressure again, great game so far. Ducks have yet to convert on the PP (0 for 2) but they look good. Hiller allowing more rebounds than I would like.. Fowler’s clearing attempt takes a weird bounce off the boards and Justin Williams ties the game (ANA-2, LAK-2). Stoll with a breakaway thats stopped by Hiller. Ducks are being largely out-shot this period. Dustin Brown laying on the ice trying to milk a call, as usual. Luca Sbisa with a brilliant move, dropping his body in front of Brown which stopped the Kings from passing to him. With 48 seconds left, Bobby Ryan gives the Ducks the lead!!! (ANA-3, LAK-2). 

Game Stats

• Three games in a row in which the Ducks have blown a 2 goal lead
• Ducks went perfect on the PK (2/2) and blanked on the PP (0/2)
• Tonight was Bruce Boudreau’s first win as Ducks head coach
• The Ducks were out shot 39-27
• Bobby Ryan had 2 goals and Teemu Selanne had 2 assists

That was by far one of the best games I’ve seen in awhile. The Ducks looked GREAT. They played like a real team, putting on tons of pressure, playing smart and controlling the game.