Anaheim Ducks: Countdown to the Season Opener- Hampus Lindholm

A Game-winning Goal Leads to Lindholm’s First Hat-Trick

Christmas came early for Hampus Lindholm and the Anaheim Ducks on December 21, 2017. For the first time in his four-season career as an Anaheim Duck, Hampus Lindholm scored a hat-trick. Not only did he score his first hat-trick, within the first four minutes of overtime, he scored the game-winning goal.

His first goal came off an assist from Andrew Cogliano and Ryan Getzlaf 8:09 into the first period. Lindholm gained possession of the puck and made his way down the ice after a pass to Ryan Getzlaf. As the play continued, a backhanded pass from Getzlaf connected with Cogliano’s stick. Cogliano shot the puck towards the net, and in an attempt to put the Ducks on the board first, Lindholm gave the puck the extra oomph it needed to make it past the Islander’s goalie, Jaroslav Halak.

The Anaheim Ducks scored the only other goal of the first period, putting them ahead of the Islanders 2-0. However, the Islanders would answer back with a power-play goal early in the second period.

12:36 into the second period, Hampus Lindholm would find his opportunity to score another goal. Ryan Getzlaf entered the faceoff circle, winning the draw against John Tavares. Lindholm saw that as his opportunity to seize the puck. However, instead of going after Lindholm, Tavares stayed with Getzlaf. This gave Hampus plenty of time and opportunity to rocket the puck into the net, giving the Ducks a two-goal advantage.

The game went into overtime when Rickard Rakell tied the game at 18:45 in the third period. The on-ice chemistry between Ryan Getzlaf and Hampus Lindholm during that game was undeniable. The pair banded together once again when Lindholm, after a beautiful pass from Getzlaf, blasted the puck down the ice, making it past Halak, 4:03 into overtime.

The Anaheim Ducks won 5-4 and Hampus Lindholm celebrated the victory of his game-winning hat-trick.

OT Victory Against Edmonton

There seems to be something about playing the Edmonton Oilers that sparks a competitive fire in the Anaheim Ducks. Who can forget the infamous “Comeback on Katella” that happened during the 2016-17 playoffs?

I also remember one game in particular last season, on February 25, 2018, when Rickard Rakell scored two goals within the last minute of the third period. This took the game to overtime. I was sitting on my couch, unable to watch the game because we had guests over, and I was astounded as I watched the play by play on my phone. Unfortunately, the Anaheim Ducks lost during the shootout.

However, exactly one month later, Anaheim would be singing a different tune thanks to defenseman Hampus Lindholm. It was an interesting game for sure. The two teams volleyed the lead back and forth all night. If Anaheim scored a goal, Edmonton responded, and vice versa. Late in the third period, the Oilers took a 3-4 lead. However, Adam Henrique tied the game at 18:31, sending the game into overtime.

Our Swedish defenseman took possession of the puck early in the period. Skating down the ice, he dropped the puck to Rickard Rakell. After maneuvering around Leon Draisaitl, Rakell sent the puck back to Lindholm. Less than two minutes into the OT period, Lindholm made a shot past Edmonton’s goalie, Cam Talbot. Hampus Lindholm had led the Ducks to another victory. The Anaheim Ducks ended the Oilers winning streak by stealing the “W”, 5-4.

During this game, Hampus Lindholm scored his 12th goal of the 2017-18 season, beating his previous goals per season record. He would score his 13th goal in a game against Arizona later in the season.

Personal Records Are Meant to Be Broken

Before the 2017-18 season, Hampus Lindholm had only ever scored 10 goals in one season. All of that changed on March 21, 2018, during a face-off against the Calgary Flames. Anaheim shut out the Flames 4-0 that night. 18:55 into the second period, Lindholm scored his 11th goal of the season. After a perfect pass from Rickard Rakell, Lindholm beat Flames goalie, Mike Smith, and scored the Ducks third goal of the night.

Goal number 12 of the season came during a game against Edmonton just a few days later on March 25. This was one of Lindholm’s most impressive goals of the season. Although the Oilers put up a good fight, the Ducks defeated them, 5-4 in overtime, in large part to Lindholm’s game-winning goal.

Anaheim’s favorite Swedish defensemen didn’t stop there. On April 7, During their last game of the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks were pitted against the Arizona Coyotes. Ending the season on the right foot, the Ducks swept Arizona 3-0. The opportunity arose for Lindholm to score the Ducks third and final goal of the night when Antti Raanta was pulled out of the net for an extra attacker. Adam Henrique won the faceoff, and Hampus Lindholm sent the puck all the way down the ice and into the empty net.

It is reasonable to assume that Lindholm could have scored even more goals if he had not been out at the beginning of the season. He is healthy going into the 2018-19 season. If he keeps playing the way he has been, he will blow his current 13 goal record out of the water.

Honorable Mention: Going Gold With Team Sweden

As the age old saying goes, “there’s always a pot of gold at every rainbow.” However, what most people forget is that you must have a little rain before a rainbow. The blow of being swept in the first round of the playoffs definitely rained on Anaheim’s parade. Nevertheless, despite the unfortunate loss, Hampus

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Lindholm was able to go on to play for his native Team Sweden in the 2018 IIHF Worlds. The “pot of gold” he found came in the shape of a first place trophy for Sweden.

Although I am very much aware of the fact that this monumental win has nothing to do with the Anaheim Ducks franchise as a whole, I think it is worth mentioning. Lindholm serves as an example to all of us that no matter where you are now, you should always be proud of where you came from. Besides, a victory for a single Duck is a victory for all of Ducks Nation.

Lindholm was a huge contributor to the success of Team Sweden. Appearing in all ten games, he led the team’s defenceman in assists. His six helpers also put him fifth among the rest of his teammates. Team Sweden defeated Switzerland in a shootout, winning the gold 3-2.

Now that Lindholm has had a taste of winning gold, we can only hope it will motivate him to continue improving his game during the 2018-19 season. He has already improved by leaps and bounds over the past few seasons.

Ducks Nation is hopeful that the next trophy Lindholm holds in his hands is the coveted Lord Stanley.