Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks 25th Anniversary: Thank You, Scott Niedermayer

By Ciara Durant

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Former Anaheim Duck, Scott Niedermayer watches his jersey rise to the rafters with his family during the jersey retirement ceremony prior to the game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Boston Bruins on February 17, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Foster Snell/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Former Anaheim Duck, Scott Niedermayer watches his jersey rise to the rafters with his family during the jersey retirement ceremony prior to the game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Boston Bruins on February 17, 2019 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Foster Snell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Anaheim Ducks
Brothers Scott Niedemayer (27) and Rob embrace after the Anaheim Ducks became the first West Coast team to win the Stanly Cup after beating the Ottawa Senators 6?2 in game 5 at the Honda Center. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) /

Bringing the Stanley Cup to Anaheim

In the summer of 2006, defenseman Chris Pronger was traded to the Anaheim Ducks from the Edmonton Oilers. The player who had helped knock the Ducks out of the playoffs the season before was now a part of what would eventually be the winning puzzle.

With the addition of Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer received a new partner on the blueline. The two of them are often referred to as one of the best NHL defensive pairings of all time. A dangerous entity for the Anaheim Ducks, they were largely responsible for leading the Ducks to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The team who had finished 3rd in the Pacific Division the season before had not clinched the 1st place spot in the Pacific with 110 points. They defeated Minnesota in Game 5 during the Conference Quarter-Finals. They subdued the Vancouver in the Conference Semi-Finals, putting an end to the Canucks hopes of a Cup. Then, they vanquished their rivals, the Detroit Red Wings, in the Conference Quarter Finals.

For the second time in franchise history, and the first time since 2003, the Anaheim Ducks were headed to the Stanley Cup Finals. Their opponents this time, the Ottawa Senators, who were hungry for a win.

Winning the first two games of the series, things took a turn when the Ducks lost to the Senators in Game 3, losing 5-3. However, they did not let the loss discourage them and they came back and won in Game 4, sending the series in Game 5.

On June 6, 2007, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Ottawa Senators in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, scoring 6 goals. That day has become one of the most memorable in franchise history. The Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup is the first team to bring the Cup to California.

Scott Niedermayer was a huge reason the Ducks won the Cup. While he may not have led the team in playoff points, his fearless leadership, humble attitude, hard work, determination, and dedication set the tone for the rest of his team.

He had finally accomplished what he had come to Anaheim to do. The Niedermayer brothers won the Stanley Cup together being one of 10 pairs of brothers to win the Cup together in NHL history.

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