Game One Post Game: Comeback Ducks At It Again!

The best players show up and lead their team to victory when it matters most. Game 1 between the Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets was a battle, but the Ducks stars shined as Perry and Getzlaf lead the comeback kids to another thrilling victory. The first period was an intense 20 minutes with both teams finishing checks looking to establish a physical dominance early.

The Ducks got on the board first when a Sami Vatanen shot from the point found its way through traffic and squeaked past Ondrej Pavelec. The Jets ansewred right back when Jacob Trouba found Adam Lowry darting through the zone for a re direction that beat Freddie Andersen. The Jets outhit the Ducks through one period as well as winning 61% of the faceoffs during the opening 20 minutes.

The Jets would strike again in the second period breaking the tie when a number of odd man rushes finally resulted in an eventual Drew Stafford snipe to put the Jets up 2-1. The Jets kept finding opportunities and put the Ducks on their heals for much of the second period.

Anaheim Ducks

Corey Perry received a pass from Ryan Getzlaf during a Jets power play and Perry went straight to the net. Perry celebrated like he had scored as he had jammed the puck past the goal line but the Referee signaled no goal. After the next whistle the play would go under review and it was determined that Perry did not celebrate for nothing. The puck clearly passed the line and the Ducks would take a 3-2 lead. Some time was added back to the clock and the Ducks would go on to kill off a Clayton Stoner penalty shortly after.

Stoner would make up for his penalty as he drew a boarding call late in the third and the captain took advantage, icing the game. Getzlaf fired a wrist shot from the faceoff dot beating Pavelec and giving the Ducks a 4-2 lead. Despite a late Jakob Silfverberg penalty, Freddie Andersen stood tall securing a Ducks victory. After a poor first period, the Ducks would end up outhitting the Jets 46 to 37 as well as winning 62% of the faceoffs in game 1.

Bruce Makes Another Gutsy Call

To the surprise of many, Bruce Boudreau announced early thursday morning that Clayton Stoner would be in the lineup for game 1 instead of James Wisniewski. Stoner failed to pick up a man entering the zone in the first period and it resulted in the first Jets goal. The physicality that Stoner usually brings was lacking during the first two periods as Stoner introduced his back side to the ice a number of times due to the Jets physicality. Whether or not Stoner will be in the lineup for game 2 remains to be seen, but Bruce may have been biting his nails after Stoners poor play during the first period.

Freddie Andersen

Freddie did not have a great start to the game allowing two marginal goals early. The Stafford second period goal beat him short side but it would be the last puck he would fish out of the net. Andersen settled in and stopped all 10 of the Jets shots in the third and stood tall making a couple of incredible saves as well. Freddie will look to build off of a strong third period as he heads into game 2 where it is likely that he will be the starter.

Three Stars Of The Game

1st Star: Corey Perry- Perry has been criticized the past couple of seasons for his lack of production during the playoffs. Game 1 served as a silencing act to those critics as Perry lead the Ducks to victory. 2 goals and 2 assist, Perry had himself quite a game showing his usual fearless attitude scoring both of his goals right on the doorstep. Perry is a man who leads by example and his ability to score the dirty goals proved to be the deciding factor in the game 1 comeback.

2nd Star: Ryan Getzlaf- The captain was quiet through the first two periods but was the driving force along side Perry during the third period comeback. Getzlaf set up Perry on the shorthanded play that was reviewed and determined to be a goal. He later went on to ice the game on an absolute snipe securing the victory. The captain came ready to play in game 1 and his team responded after a slow start.

3rd Star: Sami Vatanen- Yes, Sami made a questionable play in the third as he threw a puck towards the middle almost offering up a wide open chance for Michael Frolik. However despite the mental mistake, Sami Vatanen had himself a game. Scoring the first goal and adding two assists in the third helped spark the comeback. It was important for the Ducks to get some offensive output from their defense as the Jets blue liners were joining the rush throughout the game. Vatanen showed his great offensive ability and produced when it counted.

Looking Ahead To Game 2

Game 2 is set for Saturday night. Another highly intense physical battle should be expected as the teams exchanged pleasantries just as the horn sounded to end the game. The Ducks will need to step up their play to begin game 2 as the Jets outplayed the Ducks for much of the first two periods Thursday night. The Ducks will look to carry momentum from another thrilling comeback. Heading into Winnipeg up 2 games to none will be crucial for the Ducks. Game 2 Saturday night should be exciting.

Anaheim Ducks

Bruce Makes Another Gutsy Call

Freddie Andersen

Three Stars Of The Game

Looking Ahead To Game 2

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