Anaheim Ducks Tales: The 2003 Sweep of the Detroit Red Wings
By Ciara Durant
April 14, 2003: The Game That Was Almost a Shut Out
The confidence of the underdogs grew as the Mighty Ducks began to realize they had defeated Detroit in a game they had no business doing so. The team was headed back home, hoping they could clinch their third win in Anaheim.
The ice called out like a familiar friend, welcoming what would hopefully be the Mighty Ducks first home win in a series against Detroit. The Pond was filled to capacity with over 17,000 electrified fans. This moment had been four years in the making, and Ducks Nation was hoping they could cheer their team to victory.
"“It’s so loud in there. I didn’t know it could be that loud. People don’t realize how much they push you when they start cheering and screaming… There is such thing as a home ice advantage when the crowd is that loud.” -J.S. Giguere, Anaheim Ducks Goaltender (2000-2010)"
The hometown crowd fueled the Mighty Ducks, propelling them to have another stellar performance. The opening period was uneventful, the performances by both teams keeping one another at bay.
Samuel Pahlsson‘s goal was the spark that lit the fire for Anaheim. Rookie Stanislav Chistov aided him in scoring the game-opening goal 2:31 into the second period. Both teams were able to hold each other off for the remainder of the period, ending the second with a score of 1-0.
Detroit was still in the game. One goal is not something any team is unfamiliar with. A third-period resurgence was within grasp. They just needed to get the puck past the brick wall cemented in the Anaheim Ducks net.
The puck dropped, signaling the start of the final period. Within less than two minutes, Chistov claimed his second point of the night when he propelled the puck towards the net and beat goaltender Curtis Joseph earning the Ducks their second goal of the night.
Still, a two-point lead early in the third didn’t put the Red Wings in an impossible situation. They pushed themselves, hoping their efforts would pay off in the form of a goal. Low and behold, a penalty from the Ducks would be just what they needed to make it happen.
Samuel Pahlsson took a two-minute penalty for holding the stick, sending him off to the sin bin to pay for his “crime.” Tomas Holmstrom became the Red Wings hero, putting them within one. He had finally figured out how to break down Giguere, shutting down any possibility of the goaltender having a perfect night.
Nevertheless, the Red Wings fell short yet again. The time on the clock expired without a change in score. The Mighty Ducks had pulled off another win, just one goal and a few minutes shy of a shutout.
Another phenomenal performance from J.S. Giguere, coupled with the offensive provided by the team in front of him, led Anaheim to their third win in the series. His 36 of 37 saved shots on goal were the driving force behind their win. The Ducks were about to enter Game Four just one win shy of a series sweep.