A hat trick from a star on the rise tames the champs

Meeting again for the second time in a week, the Ducks defeated the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, by a final score of 7-3. In the midst of a schedule of games against playoff and contending teams, the Ducks once again proved they are a team on the rise. The game was wrought with penalties, but the offense for the Ducks was powered by a natural hat trick from Cutter Gauthier.

Gauthier's first hat trick

After having a productive full second season in Anaheim, Gauthier faced pressure to capitalize on the opportunity to play in the top six and help contribute to the scoring punch the Ducks have lacked for years. Against the Panthers, Gauthier delivered on those expectations in spades.

Gauthier kicked off the scoring with a breakaway goal in the first period. He got his second goal with a one-timer on the power play, from a great cross ice pass by Troy Terry. Gauthier capped of his goal scoring with his first career hat trick on another Anaheim power play, with a no look/fake shot assist from Jackson LaCombe.

Gauthier tacked on an assist, to end his night with four points and is surprisingly now in the top of league for goal scoring with 10 goals in 12 games.

You get a penalty, and you get a penalty...

Despite all the hype and excitement Gauthier brought to the game, the Ducks and the Panthers spent a lot of time on special teams. The final tally was eight penalties for the Panthers and seven for the Ducks.

The most frustrating sequence came in the third period when the Ducks were on the power play and Leo Carlsson received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for interference against Evan Rodrigues. While the Ducks survived the ensuing five on three power play, playing without their number one center was suboptimal.

...and you get a goal, and you get a goal.

The Ducks did not let the loss of Carlsson hamper the goal scoring though, as the team kept up the pressure in the third period, with goals from Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. Jansen Harkins finished off the night of goals, with a strong individual effort to collect his own rebound, while lying on the ice.

Eleven different Ducks skaters ended up with at least one point and five different Ducks skaters had goals; the offense was buzzing in Orange County. Now let's see if the Ducks can keep up this torrid pace.