Corey Perry’s Overtime Goal Extinguishes The Flames

Eight down, eight to go. The Anaheim Ducks knocked off the Calgary Flames in game five Sunday night and are now eight wins away from bringing the cup back to Anaheim. Game five was another crazy one as the game went to overtime for the second time in this series. This time however, it was the Ducks who would have the last laugh.

Juri Hudler, Ryan Kesler and Johnny Gaudreau all scored during the first 40 minutes as the Flames carried a 2-1 lead heading into the third putting the Ducks into familiar territory with another comeback victory necessary.

No, no, no, no, no! This was likely the word used most by Ducks fans when Corey Perry hobbled back to the Anaheim locker room after running into Flames forward Matt Stajan. As Perry and Stajan were skating at the blue line the two inadvertently ran into each other and it appeared as though Perry had hyperextended his knee. It brought along a moment of silence inside Honda Center as Perry immediately went down, tossed his gloves and proceeded to put no weight on his right leg heading off the ice. The former MVP would return to the Anaheim bench shortly after however because well, it’s playoff hockey. Matt Beleskey tied the game up to start the third period but overtime hockey was again required.

Anaheim Ducks

Karri Ramo played out of his mind in game five and was responsible for sending the game to overtime. The Ducks applied heavy pressure late in the game and the trend continued to start the extra period. The Ducks first line continued their dominance as Pat Maroon found Getzlaf entering the offensive zone. Getzlaf fed across to Cam Fowler who got a puck to the net and as it laid in the crease it was Scorey Perry who jammed the puck past Ramo. One second it seemed as though Perry’s season may be over due to injury but as the tides turned it was Perry who on cue ended the Flames season.

Perry’s first career playoff overtime goal sends the Ducks back to the western conference finals for the first time since 2007, the same year they raised the cup.

Boudreau Finally Gets Over The Hump

Bruce Boudreau has received heavy criticism over the years for his early exits in the playoffs. Since becoming an NHL head coach in 2007, Boudreau had made the playoffs six times before this season. How many times did he make a conference finals appearance? Zero. The Ducks four games to one second round victory over the Flames puts a Bruce Boudreau coached team into the conference finals for the first time. The look on Boudreau’s face after the game said it all, pure joy.

Corey Perry Steals The Show

Corey Perry should have been the first, second and third star of game five. He continued his incredible play by delivering the first playoff overtime goal of his career on Sunday night. After suffering what appeared to be a serious injury, the 2011 NHL MVP knew he had to get back onto the ice. His grit and willingness to take punishment in exchange for goals is remarkable. Perry exemplifies what it truly means to be a hockey player.

Perry is the leading scorer in these playoffs with 15 points in just nine games. He has been nothing short of unbelievable but the biggest test lies ahead. One thing we know however is that if a puck is lying around the crease, don’t be surprised if Corey Perry is right there to tap it in.

The Big Line Put On A Clinic

Any young hockey player who has great size but lacks a bit of skill should be watching number 19 for the Ducks, big Patty Maroon. At six foot two, 230 pounds Pat Maroon is a big body that defensemen often have a hard time moving around. His puck possessing skills are second to none due to the way he uses his big frame to protect the puck. Maroon’s size complements the skill of Getzlaf and Perry so well and it was shown throughout game five. The trio put on a puck possessing clinic and dominated the game. They were finally rewarded as Perry scored the overtime goal. The Flames defense simply could not handle the size and skill of the Ducks top line at any point during this series.

Bring On The Hawks

The Ducks will face the Chicago Blackhawks in the western conference finals. Games one and two will take place in Anaheim as the Ducks will look to use their home ice advantage against a strong Chicago team. The Ducks and Hawks each have a dynamic duo, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane for Chicago, Getzlaf and Perry for the Ducks. Getzlaf and Perry have combined for 27 points in nine games during these playoffs while Toews and Kane have combined for 24 points in ten games.

This series is sure to be highly entertaining as a trip to the stanley cup finals is on the line. This series can not start until all second round series have ended however so game one could take place as soon as Thursday, or as late as Monday.

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