The Anaheim Ducks have been playing well, but once again, they fell short against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Anaheim Ducks finish a hard-fought game against the Winnipeg Jets Sunday afternoon. After such a valiant effort on the ice, the Ducks, unfortunately, didn’t end up on the upside. Connor Hellebuyck played a tremendous game, piloting the Jets to a 3-2 win.
1st Period
Throughout the first period, the Ducks and Jets were very much “chance wealthy”, especially Anaheim. However, the Jets got struck first, Mark Scheifele beating Gibson with a wrister. Luckily for Ducks fans that 1-0 lead didn’t last very long. With a fantastic set up behind the net, a play by Rickard Rakell to Jakob Silfverberg would tie the game up exactly 32 seconds after the Scheifele goal. With the goaltenders being very busy the nod goes to Hellebuyck with 11 amazing saves out of 12, helping his squad keep it tied at 1-1.
2nd Period
The second period wasn’t filled with many opportunities for either squad. Both goaltenders remained steady, especially Hellebuyck with his right pad breakaway save on Ondrej Kase. After that, the chances increased for the Anaheim Ducks. However, the team did everything but score, and the Jets had finally had enough. They scored a back-breaker in the final 1:51 of the period, leaving the Ducks stunned after so many of their incredible chances were kept out by Hellebuyck. The Jets went into the final intermission hanging on to a 2-1 lead.
Third Period
The third period brought a ship-load of emotions coming from the Ducks bench and watch party in Anaheim. An amazing effort from Devin Shore, Ryan Getzlaf, and Troy Terry tied up the game for the second time. The goal came at the 12-minute mark of the 3rd period, giving some hope to the Anaheim Ducks. The game was very loose considering it was tied and late in the game, with chances galore! The Anaheim Ducks just couldn’t seem to pass Hellebuyck after that goal.
Final Minutes
The Anaheim Ducks, already riddled with a penalty-filled team, was the decider of who would become victorious today. With 5 minutes left Getzlaf got too free with his stick and got a tripping penalty. With the Ducks hoping for the best, the first shot went off the post, and Scheifele, with a rocket, hit the post. John Gibson didn’t get so lucky.
Scheifele would give the Jets a heartbreaking 3-2 lead to the Jets. Getzlaf, with a face full of regret, exited the box. He wanted to make things right for at least one point in this very competitive match-up. Hellebuyck on the other hand, already knew this game was over, with 5 remarkable saves on the Penalty kill giving his club the 2 points in the 3-2 win.
Unfortunately for the Ducks, they didn’t get one point in this very impressive effort, but all they can do for now is use this anger and shift it to the next game. They should keep in mind, one mistake took the game from them and with it, Dallas needs to keep them in check.
Three Stars of the game
1st star: Connor Hellebuyck (.939%) 31-33
2nd star: Mark Scheifele (2 Goals) Game-winner
3rd star: Mathieu Perreault (2 assists)
The Anaheim Ducks play the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday hoping for another result if they play with the same urgency no doubt they will be victorious.