Still annoyed following Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals? Here are some items that might bring you back down to good!
How are we all doing, Anaheim Ducks fans?
Me, personally? I’m doing great. It’s good to get a few nights off here – hopefully my blood pressure goes back down to “less than fatal” in time for Friday night’s Game 4.
And I tell you what: having two days off following Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Ducks and the Calgary Flames is just what the doctor ordered for Anaheim, too.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. #ANAvsCGY
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 6, 2015
The Ducks spent their day off yesterday in Banff, Alberta, surrounded by wildlife, snow and Alberta’s Rockies. They practiced today, but got some much needed R&R yesterday – check out the video the team shared on its Twitter account today:
Grizzly bears, snow and more. The #NHLDucks first day in Banff provided the perfect place to rest & refocus: http://t.co/nz9JkuIl9i
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 7, 2015
It was nice to hear captain Ryan Getzlaf talk about how Wednesday was a day for being away from hockey. Given the expectations that we fans have for this year’s Ducks, and the weight that must be on the shoulders of the players and the coaches, it is easy to take Anaheim’s 4-3 loss in Game 3 and blow it out of proportion (although I did tell you all yesterday that it was certainly not the time to panic).
As Matt Beleskey pointed out, though
.@Matt_Beleskey: "No team goes 16-0 in the playoffs. We need to regroup and get ready for Friday." #ANAvsCGY
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 6, 2015
I’m glad Bruce Boudreau and the Ducks took a day off to de-stress – wish my boss would send me to such exotic locations for that very reason!
As I mentioned earlier, the Ducks did take the ice today:
Day off notwithstanding, the Ducks have good reason to want to get back on the ice and regain control of their series with the Flames. I expect every line, not just the three-headed monster of Getzlaf – Corey Perry – Patrick Maroon, to bring it tomorrow night.
And speaking of Patrick Maroon, here’s a piece that some of you may have already read a little about, but I felt it was worth sharing. It’s about a boy, a few wishes, and a lifetime’s worth of inspiration for the Big Dog. I hope you enjoy it – it puts a lot of things in perspective, doesn’t it?
"This is a lifelong relationship." @AnaheimDucks' Patrick Maroon on his 7-yr-old inspiration: http://t.co/P2MEIHsJrS pic.twitter.com/KLk9VkmmkT
— ESPN (@espn) May 5, 2015