Anaheim Ducks Weekly: 10/27/14-11/2/2014
10/28/14 Ducks versus Blackhawks: 1-0 victory
This game was one between two dominant forces from the Western Conference, both of which reached at least the 2nd round of the playoffs, The Blackhawks making it all the way to game seven of the Western Conference finals. Both teams have deep teams as well as rookie goaltenders in net. Scott Darling had a solid performance but a shorthanded faux pas, a turnover which led to a Devante Smith-Pelly goal sealed the win for Anaheim. As good as Darling was, The Ducks 21 year old phenom, John Gibson had his best outing as a professional, saving 38 shots, backstopping his team to a victory.
10/30/14 Ducks versus Blues: 2-0 loss
Alexander Steen and Ryan Reaves did something that no Blackhawks could, they figured Johnny Gibs out, scoring the only 2 goals of the game and The Ducks left St.Louis with a goose egg. Jake Allen, another under 25 year old goaltender which seems to be a trend in this league lately, stopped all 24 shots that came his way. Ducks are on a 4 game roadie and fatigue could have been a factor, nonetheless you have to give props to Jake Allen for giving his team a chance to win against a high powered offense. Allen may have gotten the shut out but Gibson still stopped 27 out of 29 shots good enough for a .931 save percentage.
10/31/14 Ducks versus Stars: 2-1 OT win.
Corey Perry put the Ducks out in front early but they needed overtime to get passed the Stars, another team that could contend in the West and possibly for the cup this season and for years to come. With a team that boasts stars such as Hemsky, Seguin, Benn, and Spezza, it is surprising that a tough guy like Roussel scored against Anaheim. Perry's goal was his 10th of the season which leads the league, he has scored 10 goals in only 12 games at a near goal per game clip it is no wonder fans refer to him as Scorey Perry. Freddy Andersen did not have an overwhelming night in net but he did stop 22 pucks and gave his team a chance to win against a team with multiple top 10 scorers. Corey Perry put a shot on net in OT that was deflected off the stick of Nate Thompson and sealed the deal for Anaheim. The Ducks don't seem to be phased by a road trip featuring top Western teams as they are 2-1 so far with one game left.
11/2/14 Ducks versus Avalanche: 3-2
The Ducks had to make an emergency call up for Jason LaBarbera due to a John Gibson pre game injury and the fact that Andersen is already injured. Jason was good enough for 16 stops and the Win. Dennis Everberg and Nate Mackinnon scored first period goals for the Avalanche, between those two goals was Scorey's 11th goal of the season, still good enough for the league lead. The Comeback kids from last season returned tonight on goals from defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler, goals that were scored 1:44 apart and 2 of 12 shots that the Ducks fired in the second against the mere 2 shots produced by Colorado. Anaheim finishes what was supposed to be a grueling road trip at 3-1 beating teams such as The Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche, at trips end the Ducks are now 10-3, good for first overall in the NHL. Corey Perry now has 11 goals, 4 assists equalling out to 15 points. Scorey is first in goals and tied for 3rd in points league wide. Ducks return to action November 5th at home against the New York Islanders another hot team that will put up a fight.
Notes
Corey Perry was named the first start of October for the NHL after putting up 11 goals in 13 games.
Freddy Andersen is set to return tomorrow against the New York Islanders, a welcoming return seeing as 1b starter John Gibson is now out with a groin injury.
The Ducks sit atop the Western and NHL standings with 20 points on 10 regulation wins.
Since the brutal loss to San Jose on October 26th, Anaheim has gone 3-1 and returns home to the Honda Center where they won over 20 straight games last season and have won 4 out of 5 so far this year.
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