Game 1: Kings @ DUCKS 10/6/06...7:05 PT

http://anaheimducks.com/graphics/team/logos/ducks_vs.jpg
:kings

http://media.ticketmaster.com/en-us/tmimages/venue/maps/la1/la1069a.gif
Seating Chart of the Fantastico Honda Center! (I'm in Section 202). :-)

WHOM?: Ducks VS Kings
HOW?: (Eyes) FSN Prime Ticket, (Ears) 830 KLAA.
WHEN?: Friday, October 6th, 2006...7:05 PT
WHY?: "Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do." (Rugrats)
WHAT?: Ducks Record: 0-0-0-0
WWWWWH?: Who scored the first goal of the 2005-2006 season for the Ducks?
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First game of the season and I AM PUMPED!!! :banana: :devdance: :pickle: :dm: Enough said.
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Feature Article of the Day...From LATIMES.COM

http://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ducks/la-sp-duckrep5oct05,1,262470.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nhl-ducks
(To see the rest of the article, click the link).

"Selanne Enjoys Proving He Still Has It"

Too old. Too slow. Finished.

Two years ago, those words were being used to describe Teemu Selanne. And after hobbling through a horrific 2003-04 season with the Colorado Avalanche and an equally humbling experience in the subsequent World Cup, Selanne began to wonder.

"I knew there were so many people talking about how I'm done as a hockey player and there's no way I can be able to play at the same level as I did in the first 10 years of my career," Selanne said. "Even some of my friends back home, I think they thought I was done.

"I knew if I could get back the fun and the passion I had before, I could do some things. That's why I was very happy the Ducks gave me a chance to come back. They believed I could still play this game."
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Update from Back East...From Portlandpirates.com

Pirates Blank Devils 3-0 Game Recap

http://www.portlandpirates.com/newsarticle.asp?Id=1086

The Pirates defeated the Lowell Lock Monsters 3-0 Monday with goals from Ryan Carter, Drew Miller, and Colby Genoway. Michael Wall got the shutout.
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Well, that is it for me. LETS GO DUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-) :yo:

There's a game tomorrow? I haven't heard. :)

Seriously, don't forget to register for your chance to win a Honda Element at the game. And every fan should get an orange Ducks shirt. I'm a sucker for freebies. I hope they give bobbleheads again like last year. The Nied bros bobblehead last year was awesome.

Wait Jerky, how do you register for the element? I can't find the link anywhere. :dunno:

There's a game tomorrow? I haven't heard. :)

Seriously, don't forget to register for your chance to win a Honda Element at the game. And every fan should get an orange Ducks shirt. I'm a sucker for freebies. I hope they give bobbleheads again like last year. The Nied bros bobblehead last year was awesome.
I saw the Element yesterday...looks like a custom paint job as it is not the "standard" burnt orange I've seen on the streets....just an FYI.

We have to register?? I thought just showing up took care of that. :rolleyes:

The finalist seats are selected before the game. Between periods they'll each get a key, one of which fits the car.

If you're in a seat at the game, no need to register.

There's a game tomorrow? I haven't heard. :)

Seriously, don't forget to register for your chance to win a Honda Element at the game. And every fan should get an orange Ducks shirt. I'm a sucker for freebies. I hope they give bobbleheads again like last year. The Nied bros bobblehead last year was awesome.

Thanks Brain! :) Unlike a certain someone I know (COUGH), you actually supplied us with factual information. ;) :biglaugh: :D

I also hope that they have the bobblehead giveaway again. The Nied Bro bobbleheads are awesome. :) :yo: Easily the best bobbleheads I have ever seen.

I want this win in the WORST way!

I want this win in the WORST way!
I know, right? And our Pacific rivals are off to good starts already.
I hate the Kings.

Tommorow night should be exciting. I can't wait to see Pronger in a Ducks uniform next to Niedermayer on the PP. Also I want to see how much the kids (Getzlaf, Perry, Penner) have improved over the summer. Team has a lot of potential and is getting a lot of media hype as cup favorites, time to see how they respond. Go Ducks! :handclap:

Yeah, it feels weird to be a fan of a team that's widely the top favorite.
Here's to hoping that they live up to that hype.
Go Ducks!!!

I hope the Ducks are able to take it to the kings early. Our division has looked strong so far, so we gotta step it up and perform. Hopefully Fedoruk won't be on Getzlaf's line.

Unfortunately I won't be able to watch the game, despite the free center ice preview. I will be in Dallas at the OU-Texas game. I'm not much for college football, but free tickets and a week off of work are hard to refuse. Well I hope to read about the Ducks dominating when I get back. Go Ducks!:yo: Talk to you guys next week.

I hope the Ducks are able to take it to the kings early. Our division has looked strong so far, so we gotta step it up and perform. Hopefully Fedoruk won't be on Getzlaf's line.

Unfortunately I won't be able to watch the game, despite the free center ice preview. I will be in Dallas at the OU-Texas game. I'm not much for college football, but free tickets and a week off of work are hard to refuse. Well I hope to read about the Ducks dominating when I get back. Go Ducks!:yo: Talk to you guys next week.

Have a good time man! :) Be sure to give us a report when you get back! :)

Have a good time man! :) Be sure to give us a report when you get back! :)

Lol thanks man, I leave in the mourning. I don't know how good the report will be. I will be intoxicated 99% of the time, so I probably won't remember even going.:)

I dunno ... the Ducks always seem to play mediocre or worse in their openers. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a stumble out of the gate.

For the win!

I dunno ... the Ducks always seem to play mediocre or worse in their openers. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a stumble out of the gate.
Anaheim is ranked 30th amongst active franchises in opening night winning percentage at .250 (3-9-0), being outscored 24-38. We own the all time record (shared with the North Stars) for longest season-opener losing streak with seven straight. We are 1-1 in opening night at home, having been outscored 8-5.

Bright side: Randy Carlyle has never lost a season opener.

Giguere or Bryzgalov tonite?

Giguere

Um bad news fellas, Scott Nieds got hit in the mouth by a puck in practise and is waiting on x-rays to see if he can play and Pronger has stomach flu.

We are ****ed for this game if both dont play.

Should be a great game, it's always nice to start off the season with a rival. I think the Ducks will come out on top tonight.
Prediction: 5-3 Ducks

can't wait for the game tonight. I love starting seasons with a W.

Going to be much fun.

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle won't say if Jean-Sebastien Giguere or Ilya Bryzgalov will get the start tonight. - LA Times

http://tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=10460&hubname=

I would presume Giguere.

Pronger's flu won't keep him out will it?

Convenient how TSN took the first half of the quote - that Pronger missed practice - but left out the second part - that he would play.

The stomach flu claimed Pronger for a second day but the defenseman said he would play tonight. He was improved enough to joke about not catching the flu that ravaged his old team, the Edmonton Oilers, during the playoffs last season.

"Delayed reaction," he said with a laugh.
LAT article (http://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ducks/la-sp-ducks6oct06,1,5063888.story?page=2&coll=la-headlines-sports-nhl-ducks)

can't wait for the game tonight. I love starting seasons with a W.

Going to be much fun.

Well I'm sorry in advance then.

At last the season is upon us!


Woohoo!

5-1 ducks
no way LA kings would have score more than 1 goal with two great defenseman on your blue line.

No way cloutier is going to be great for the Kings.

This is on USAtoday's site.

Pronger and Selanne both questionable.

It looks like Pronger is a go, but is Teemu playing?

Maybe they listed him as questionable because of his injury in his last game. I wouldnt worry about him not playing though.

If that's so, then it's no problem. If it's something new, I presume we'd have heard about it.

Anyone know who the starting goalies are tonight?

Anyone know who the starting goalies are tonight?

I'll guess Giguere and Cloutier.

It sucks being a Ducks fan in Vancouver :(.

Giguere

Um bad news fellas, Scott Nieds got hit in the mouth by a puck in practise and is waiting on x-rays to see if he can play and Pronger has stomach flu.

We are ****ed for this game if both dont play.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7822/ar0420101fn4.gif

Whats up with everyone getting injuries and illnesses days before the season starts? Good thing none of them are too serious.

Playing with the stomach flu is not fun, I had a coach that did it once.

He described in intricate detail how he uh.. didnt have enough time to reach the bathroom during the game.

i think jiggy will be in net as well.. i'm going to miss the first period and possibly the 1st half of the 2nd because i leave work at 7 and i'll be on the 10 going east.. eeek

This season has officially started for me - I just watched Rusty take a penalty in the Panthers/Bruins game.

FSN having a bunch of audio problems with their pre-game show.

A little OT... but did anyone watch the Canucks vs. Columbus game? The Sedin twins are amazing.

I remember seeing the highlights of one of our exhibition games. They were awesome there too. Maybe it's just my not following the rest of the NHL that well, but they seem a LOT better offensively than I remember before the lockout.

So who's gonna be here for the game (as in being unlucky without tickets/being miles away from Anaheim)? This game's broadcast online through comcast, so I actually get to see a Ducks game!

scratches:

Moran, Chistov, Green

whats up with this music during the introductions?

whats up with this music during the introductions?

As long as a coked up Eddie Money doesn't come out to do the anthem this year I'm happy...

Can some one tell me what the hell Pink Floyd has to do with the presentation of colors?

Can some one tell me what the hell Pink Floyd has to do with the presentation of colors?

During the National Anthem at that! Did Al Qaeda get control of the PA? That was *** disgraceful!

-HS22

I'm assuming it's sound problems of the station... not that it was actually played in the arena.

Can some one tell me what the hell Pink Floyd has to do with the presentation of colors?

There's no accounting for a lot of things at Broadcom...and that obviously includes taste :D

Amazing how they cant cut the music for National Anthem.

And the Music played during the player intros was awful too. Didn't seem like hockey type music.

that was terrible...it looked like she was going to cry for a second there...how hard is it to turn that music off?

BOOM! Take that Avery.

Oh my god, they miss the board on Pahlsson and that hook is called.

Nice work NHL

Yeah that was a missed board, but hooking and obstruction is the main emphasis, so those are going to be called much closer.

The nhl.com link went to the kings radio coverage?

anyone got a link for the ducks one

The nhl.com link went to the kings radio coverage?

anyone got a link for the ducks one

Ducks new radio station does not stream online apparently...so your stuck with the Kings online feed.

Damn

We have got no momentum so far

Man it looks like the ducks are skating uphill. The kings had way more speed in transition.

Crappy period. Pronger and Giguere were the best Ducks. I hate Pronger.

Oh my god, they miss the board on Pahlsson and that hook is called.

Nice work NHL
Waaaah?

I hated him too... but man he has a cannon. Should really help our PP, seeing as we've never had a good point shot. The closest we've had is Olaussen sneaking in for a backdoor play.

Crappy period. Pronger and Giguere were the best Ducks. I hate Pronger.

Agreed...Giguere looks good so far, his positioning is perfect. Pronger looks like the real deal.

Now where is our offense?

Ducks have to get their feet moving, Kings are outskating them. Pronger is a beast, too bad he hit the post on that PP shot. Loved the hit by Pahlsson even if it should have been boarding, I despise Avery like just about everybody else. Giguere looks solid so far, but needs to cover the puck and control his rebounds better.

Agreed...Giguere looks good so far, his positioning is perfect. Pronger looks like the real deal.

Now where is our offense?
Not backchecking and taking lazy penalties.

Not backchecking and taking lazy penalties.
Normally I'd respond "better than nothing"... but that's probably worse than nothing.

Argg Getzy... gotta be ready for that!

Ha... I don't think Perry even tried to shoot that.

LETS GO DUCKS! 1-0 :walrus:

Wow... I've got to give props to that Kopitar goal.

refs miss the hooking call on Sopel and then Kopitar comes down and scores a nice goal...tough break for the Ducks.

Giguere's side to side movement looked terrible there.

Congrats to Kopitar on his first goal, that was a nice one.

Pronger was weak on that goal.

Crap:(

wow that was pathetic Beauchemin...

Beauchemin scores a beauty there. They're all retarded tonight.

Ducks 1... Kopitar 2

The Ducks need a spark...Moen or O'Brien should start a fight...there are plenty of Kings who would oblidge...just stay away from Ivanans.

Beauchemin scored? NHL.com says Perry scored.

Ducks 1... Kopitar 2

fluke goals cancel out...Kopitar 1 Ducks 0

Beauchemin scored? NHL.com says Perry scored.

Beauchemin scored on Giguere.

I missed the earlier Fedoruk-Ivanans fight. How was it?

thats the Ducks I remember from last season.

2-2

Andy Mac

:help: Get under the skin of Cloutier.

2-2 LETS GO DUCKS! :dumbo:

I missed the earlier Fedoruk-Ivanans fight. How was it?

A boring Draw.

WOOO! Seems like Selanne was holding on to that puck forever before dishing it to McDonald.

Beauchemin scored on Giguere.

I am so confused.

I am so confused.

Kings centered the puck and Beauchemin reached out and deflected it accidently into the Ducks net.

I am so confused.
Beauchemin deflected a Kopitar pass... into our goal.

wow...huge hit by Kunitz.

Yeah that's why I like him... just not so much on our first line.

come on Ducks...play one good period and the 2 points are yours!

Fluke goal for each team in that period. Kopitar scored one heck of a goal, reminded me a bit of Bure there. He's gonna be a stud for the Kings. Giguere continues to be the best player for the Ducks, now the guys in front of him have to pick it up and win this period and the game.

Penners line hasnt done much tonight...

Hopefully Ducks score an early goal and shut down the kings in the 3rd.

I expected a blow out. Do the Kings usually play you guys so hard?

Alrighty, second line getting some goals

I wish theyd put Chistov on it though

3-2 DUCKS! :devdance:

I expected a blow out. Do the Kings usually play you guys so hard?

Yes

And I expected nothing less from Kopitard tonight

Pretty passing play there.

3-2 DUCKS! :devdance:

Who scored?

4-2! DUCKS PP, breathing room! :banana:

Hell yea Kunitz, my fantasy team loves you

Who scored?

Ryan Getzlaf and now Chris Kunitz.

bad new for ducks, Goalie down!!

Giguere's hurt. Not good. :(

J. Giguere injured on the ice. :confused:

Not again Jiggy, he really sounded like he was back to the Giguere of old

Jiggy staying in? Probably okay.

Any updates on Giguere?

Teemu the diver!!!

Any updates on Giguere?

Still playing, so apparently not hurt bad.

4-3. 5:07 to kill.

Teemu the diver!!!

I am sure there is a reasonable excuse for this allegation.

I am sure there is a reasonable excuse for this allegation.

It wasn't a dive, since he was clearly interfered with. He just exaggerated it a bit.

Of course, just a few minutes later the Kings should have been called for the exact same thing, but oh well.

GAME OVER.

DUCKS WIN! :win:

Not the best start of the season judging from everybody's comments, lots of things to fix if we want to go all the way.

Well it wasn't pretty, but it's a W.

Considering the Ducks' history of stinkers in their openers, I'll take it.

The 3 previous season opening wins ('99, '03, '05) the Ducks ended up making the playoffs. Of course making the playoffs is not enough for this team.

NHL.com's boxcore says the Kings only had 5 shots on goals during the entire game? and we had 32?

NHL.com's boxcore says the Kings only had 5 shots on goals during the entire game? and we had 32?


That can't be right. The Kings had 22 SOG in the 1st period alone.

That can't be right. The Kings had 22 SOG in the 1st period alone.

I thought so, you can't rely on everything you see on the web nowadays.

Good 3rd period, but a lot of mistakes to clean up. Giguere played well. The other lines besides the top line has to create more chances for this team to go far. Still a long season ahead, but it starts off right.

Not a very impressive win, but we'll take it...and the good news is the Ducks are going to get better...this was an average game at best for this team.

The sign of a good team is they win even when they don't bring their "A" game.

Shannon's stay is going to be short if he doesn't do anything. O'Brien carried the puck nicely a few times, good first pass. A solid first game for him. Kunitz was great, he plays every shift at 110% and was mixing it up every chance he got.

Giguere was great, I wonder if Carlyle goes right back to him, however I think it is Bryz tomorrow with Giguere back on Monday. I thought O'Donnell did well and handled his 19+ minutes pretty good.

I think the minutes played for our forwards will change each night, depending on situations but Perry and Getz starting on the 4th line is questionable.

This was kind of a blah game, the effort level was lacking the first half of the game I thought. Not enough physicality from the Ducks side, eventually I'd like to see O'Brien with Pronger. Pronger for his size has pretty decent speed but O'donnell is slow, just like to see a faster guy with Pronger.

If Giguere plays this well all season this team is in great shape, he's as quick as I've seen him in a few years and his positioning was top notch as well.

Niedermayer and Pronger got off to slow starts I thought, but they both got stronger as the game went on. Pronger is great at getting in passing lanes, on the PP there was not enough emphasis on setting him up for one timers. The PP had it's moments, Scotty made a great pass to Kunitz.

Perry and Getzlaf were ok, outside of their goals didn't notice them much. But man Getzlaf has a great shot.

Shannon..I don't think he'll be here very long, not much ice time and when he was on the ice he didn't do anything, I don't like the configuration of that line. I'd like to see a shoot first guy with Penner myself..

Selanne should retire :sarcasm:

Andy Mac is a fluke :sarcasm:

Kunitz and Beauchemin were both very good tonight I thought.

I'm glad Perry and Getzlaf were on the 4th line, though. Even though they scored two, I thought that line was the worst one tonight.

It wasn't a dive, since he was clearly interfered with. He just exaggerated it a bit.

Of course, just a few minutes later the Kings should have been called for the exact same thing, but oh well.
McGoo is a McFoo, Armstrong and Brown were diving all over the place tonight!

I'm glad Perry and Getzlaf were on the 4th line, though. Even though they scored two, I thought that line was the worst one tonight.

I was just looking at the shift charts and thinking . o O (man how come they played so little?) - Them being on the 4th would explain it, thanks.

How did Penner look? He didn't play all that much either...

Wow did they play like ****. Im not sure how we won that game other than Giguere owning. Getzlaf was great as well....loving that kid.

Someone should tell the person who picked the three stars for this game that they're allowed to pick players from the visiting team, especially when they score two goals on seven shots and are plus one while playing 22 minutes in a 4-3 loss. As a member of the media who has voted for three stars before, when it's that close, you normally try to give one member of the losing team a star if there's a deserving player. Tonight, Anze Kopitar deserved a star and didn't get one.:shakehead

Not a Kings fan, just a Kopitar fan from Canada.

Someone should tell the person who picked the three stars for this game that they're allowed to pick players from the visiting team, especially when they score two goals on seven shots and are plus one while playing 22 minutes in a 4-3 loss. As a member of the media who has voted for three stars before, when it's that close, you normally try to give one member of the losing team a star if there's a deserving player. Tonight, Anze Kopitar deserved a star and didn't get one.:shakehead

Not a Kings fan, just a Kopitar fan from Canada.
1st goal was a beauty, 2nd goal was a fluke, i thought he could've been named but it's not like his 2nd goal was all that great.

I thought Getzlaf was good tonight...maybe his line wasnt but I thought he played well. Fedoruk doesnt belong on that line. Moen played well on the checking line...they ate a lot of time there at the end. Giguere was showing some glove tonight, nicely done.

1st goal was a beauty, 2nd goal was a fluke, i thought he could've been named but it's not like his 2nd goal was all that great.

Stats aside, either him or Giguere were the best players on the ice. And even if you want to include stats, he had two goals and 7 shots.

Niedermayer IMO should have been 3rd star.

hey Im a fan of Selanne and Getzlaf so I wanted to know how they did tonight in this game- can anyone give me some feedback? It would be nice - thanks :) YAY Getz scored a goal tonight!

McGoo is a McFoo, Armstrong and Brown were diving all over the place tonight!



absolutely true. but conversely, it appears as if Chris Pronger is going to actually have to kill someone before he gets called for a penalty.

hey Im a fan of Selanne and Getzlaf so I wanted to know how they did tonight in this game- can anyone give me some feedback? It would be nice - thanks :) YAY Getz scored a goal tonight!

I thought Selanne played like ****, he handled the puck like a grenade, and Getzlaf was good when he was out there...which wasnt much for some reason. Id rather he was out on the PK than Moen.

Went to the game. It was fun! :D

Some random thoughts:

Jiggy was impressive tonight. In the first two periods, the Ducks were getting shelled and Jiggy played quite well. GJ and totally deserved the first star rating. :clap: Hope he is OK. :(

My favorite forward tonight was Kunitz. Very impressive. He set up the 2nd goal and scored the 4th goal. Also, played hard and was physical.

Niedermayer and Pronger were good, although more so Nieds. Got to love that PP point shot though.

Shane O'Brien had a a solid game. A couple nice breakouts and hits. Shannon was not too impressive, but it was his first NHL game.

GOD and the rest of the PK unit=awesome. I was reminded of how good GOD is on the PK.

Overall, the first two periods were pretty bad save for the one 5-3 opportunity. Then, in the third period the Ducks put on some pressure and got the win. I'm happy! :D

:)

Went to the game, lots of fun :)
Giggy was awsome, overall it was an OK game for the Ducks.

My head hurts, but still it was awsome :D

Stats aside, either him or Giguere were the best players on the ice. And even if you want to include stats, he had two goals and 7 shots.

Niedermayer IMO should have been 3rd star.
You're probably right, but usually the boxscore dictates who the press votes for unless a role player has a ridiculous game.

The Ducks played horrible. They didn't play as hard as they could and were outshot by a huge margin. The Kings however couldn't finish the chances they had. Kopitar looked real good though. His first goal was just an awesome display of speed, strength, and skill.

Anyone else hate McGeough. God he's terrible. I thought that penalty on Marchant late in the Third which was if I recall the penalty that led to Visnovsky's goal was weak.

Also. What's great with Mick. Watch him signal a Hook. It looks like he's stabbing himself.

BTW, the answer to the trivia question was Teemu.

Giguere looked good, much more comfortable last season. He moved around well and deadened the puck, very few rebounds.

I thought the first line got much better as the game went along, but Andy Mac was the best player on it. Teemu was rusty.

Niedermayer and Pronger - not so great. Lots of bobbles, some missed assignments. Pronger let Kopitar skate right on by and left Giguere hanging. You can see the potential, though.

I expected the bonehead mistakes but not the laziness I saw early on. Hopefully they've got it all worked out.

Oh, and Pronger is WAY better at QBing a power play than Scott.

The Ducks played horrible. They didn't play as hard as they could and were outshot by a huge margin. The Kings however couldn't finish the chances they had. Kopitar looked real good though. His first goal was just an awesome display of speed, strength, and skill.

Do you have any positive comments for the ducks? I honestly don't give a rip about the kings.

Oh, and Pronger is WAY better at QBing a power play than Scott.

That's true, but you can't question Scott's explosive speed:eek: !!!

Do you have any positive comments for the ducks? I honestly don't give a rip about the kings.

They played like crap and won. Giguere was very good...

Do you have any positive comments for the ducks? I honestly don't give a rip about the kings.
Must be why you post on their board.

They played like crap and won. Giguere was very good...

That basically sums up the game. Minus Perry's goal and Kopitar's 2nd the game was mostly LA's to take. The Ducks second goal was a complete LA Breakdown as when Blake pinched at his own blueline to hold Kunitz from gaining the line he failed miserabley and no one covered which left Visnovsky to Deal with Selanne and McDonald and it was an easy goal for Anaheim when those two have that much time to work with.

Anaheim's 3rd goal was much the same as hardwork by Fedoruk fighting off an Ivannis check lead to the point shot which landed on Getzlaf stick. Now god forbid Brent Sopel do anything he just decides to fall down to block the shot. Not even pressing foward. Still an amazingly quick shot from Getzlaf. Cloutier at that point had no chance. Again a Ducks foward finding time and burying the puck.

Ana's fourth was just a beautiful passing play tapped by Cloutier. The Kings had some bad break downs but it is the first game and teams are starting to gel. Just look I don't think many people would have imagined Chicago beating Nashville and certainly not scoring 7 Goals on Vokoun and an EN Goal. It's still early in the year but it's often said. The best teams find a way to win even if they shouldn't have won the game.

The Ducks played horrible. They didn't play as hard as they could and were outshot by a huge margin. The Kings however couldn't finish the chances they had. Kopitar looked real good though. His first goal was just an awesome display of speed, strength, and skill.
yeah Burke was pissed at the effort after the game, i'm not really sure what to make of this. The Ducks will get smoked in Phoenix if they play this way tomorrow.

That basically sums up the game. Minus Perry's goal and Kopitar's 2nd the game was mostly LA's to take. The Ducks second goal was a complete LA Breakdown as when Blake pinched at his own blueline to hold Kunitz from gaining the line he failed miserabley and no one covered which left Visnovsky to Deal with Selanne and McDonald and it was an easy goal for Anaheim when those two have that much time to work with.

Anaheim's 3rd goal was much the same as hardwork by Fedoruk fighting off an Ivannis check lead to the point shot which landed on Getzlaf stick. Now god forbid Brent Sopel do anything he just decides to fall down to block the shot. Not even pressing foward. Still an amazingly quick shot from Getzlaf. Cloutier at that point had no chance. Again a Ducks foward finding time and burying the puck.

Ana's fourth was just a beautiful passing play tapped by Cloutier. The Kings had some bad break downs but it is the first game and teams are starting to gel. Just look I don't think many people would have imagined Chicago beating Nashville and certainly not scoring 7 Goals on Vokoun and an EN Goal. It's still early in the year but it's often said. The best teams find a way to win even if they shouldn't have won the game.

Yes, it's everyone's first game but a wins a win. This was Shannon's first game and OB's first game and I think they handled themselves pretty well.

Do you have any positive comments for the ducks? I honestly don't give a rip about the kings.

The black jerseys look cool. And getting a free orange T-shirt has completed my wardrobe. Thank you Ducks! :clap:

1st goal was a beauty, 2nd goal was a fluke, i thought he could've been named but it's not like his 2nd goal was all that great.

Yes and no... FLuke or not. If he hadn;t forced the play to the net and tried to make the shot he wouldn;t have scored..

Well, I lost my voice going to this game. The ice was HORRIBLE. One player would bobble it and the guy who stole if from him would bobble it too. Bouncing everywhere...

Odonnell impressed me. He blocked a lot of shots.

I thought it was interesting how Avery gets boarded in the begining of the game and it's not called. Any other player and it's a penalty, IMO.

Giguere was the 1st star for sure. Great game, minus the 'injury' break.

Selanne played a poor game and managed to get 2 points... :dunno:

Kings powerplay goal was all Beach's fault. He could've cleared it and didn't.

Ducks didn't try, and were bailed out by their goalie. Although, they did win most of the battles on the boards. Their skating was attrocious though.

It's always nice to win when you don't play well. :D

Was there a reason Chistov didn't dress last night?

Was there a reason Chistov didn't dress last night?

Shannon had a better pre-season :handclap: and Moen added some physical presence against the Kings.

good game for the Kings... Kopitar appears to be pretty good. I remember reading an article on him comparing him to Kariya..
Jiggy played well.. I agree that he was the star of the game. even though that one goal that Francois hit in could have been stopped.. but hey them's the breaks.
Everyone on our team looked slow..
Getzlaf looked like he was the only one pushing..

Man that was an ugly, sloppy game but the good teams find a way to win those and we did. At best Pronger and Niedermayer had their 'C' game at the start. The power play should be freaking awesome this year once they settle into their 'A' game.

Its been said, but Shannon is going to be in Portland quickly if he keeps playing like that. Nothing bad. Just nothing good either.

Play Penner with the twins. I like Fedoruk, but he's a boat anchor for those two dragging them down. Perry's goal was a great sneaky shot, nothing fluke about it IMO.

Moen. I don't know what to make of this guy's role on the team. I assumed, like every one, he was a spare part like Green but Carlyle used him as a key part of the PK last night. I'm thinking now he'll play in more games and get more minutes than we all thought.

Pahlsson. He can score 0 goals and 0 points and I'd still give him a spot on my team. A guy that does EVERY little thing you need to win.

Sloppy game, but that's to be expected in the first one out, especially the home opener. Biggest positives...

a) Jiggy looked great
b) Shannon looked dangerous at times, and never looked out of place.
c) The top line found a way to be productive
d) The pp is going to be very fun to watch, and I think, very productive. Pronger and Teemu are going to assist each other's goals quite a bit this season, I think.
e) Getzlaf looked like a stud, though I didn't think he had a great game.
f) Perry looks much stronger, steadier.
g) Kunitz wasn't a fluke. Neither was Andy Mac. Neither was Teemu.

The atmosphere was great, the game wasn't the best played I've been to (even though it's only my 4th game) but it was fun. Not sure if anyone was in section 424, but I was the one trying to start the "Beat LA" chants up there and occationally chanting "fight, fight, fight."

In all, I don't think it was too bad considering it was the first game of the season. Giguere played well but I was expecting better from our defense. I saw 2 of the goals develop due to lack of positioning well before the puck got to the guy. Hopefully that will be worked out soon. Also, Getzlaf's goal was awesome. Man he works hard out there, that shift was crazy. Hopefully he keeps building on that and becomes the new face of the Ducks and play consistently.

Man so much for that 15 minute nap I was going to take during the 2nd intermission. I guess 15 minuts and 9 hours aren't all that different...

I thought we looked good in the first 5 on 3 PP... but then the next powerplay in the 2nd period looked pretty bad to me. There wasn't movement of either the puck or of players. Although I guess they scored in the 3rd when I was "napping" so maybe it got better.

Giguere looked good... but the cramps kind of worries me. But that's why I'm glad we kept 2 goalies.

I wonder if teams 4-10 of 2005 are going to regret passing on Kopitar. Maybe not Columbus with Brule, but he looked pretty impressive last night. Seemed to kind of have a nose for the puck, which I think is a little undervalued (and part of what I like about Perry and Getzlaf).

Moen. I don't know what to make of this guy's role on the team. I assumed, like every one, he was a spare part like Green but Carlyle used him as a key part of the PK last night. I'm thinking now he'll play in more games and get more minutes than we all thought.

Moen seems to have won Hedstrom's role. Fine with me. At least he won't leave in the middle of the playoffs to go back to Salmon Arm or whatever the hell.

Its been said, but Shannon is going to be in Portland quickly if he keeps playing like that. Nothing bad. Just nothing good either.


Moen. I don't know what to make of this guy's role on the team. I assumed, like every one, he was a spare part like Green but Carlyle used him as a key part of the PK last night. I'm thinking now he'll play in more games and get more minutes than we all thought.



Yeah I'd sit Shannon tonight just as a little wake up call and let Chistov play.

Sounds like Moen has found a home on the checking line with Rob and Sammy...He did not look out of place there at all. He can skate, check, kill penalties, chip in the odd goal and of course fight when needed.

b) Shannon looked dangerous at times

Yea, like when he touched the puck that one time.... ;)

It was only one game but Carlyle isn't going to give him that many chances to prove he should stay. If he doesn't create over the next game or two I suspect he is sent down.

I wonder if teams 4-10 of 2005 are going to regret passing on Kopitar. Maybe not Columbus with Brule, but he looked pretty impressive last night. Seemed to kind of have a nose for the puck, which I think is a little undervalued (and part of what I like about Perry and Getzlaf).

To me there was a group of 5 players after Crosby and they could have gone in any order.

Jack Johnson, Bobby Ryan, Gilbert Brule, Benoit Pouliot, Anze Kopitar.

Montreal taking Carey Price at number 5 was a head scratcher...San Jose trading up to take Setoguchi instead of Kopitar at 8 was weird. Chicago took Jack Skille at 7. Ottawa took a long term project on Defense in Brian Lee instead of taking Kopitar or Marc Staal.

The thing with Kopitar though is that he was the most NHL ready draftee other than Crosby so it doesn't surprise me that he is contributing in the NHL now. So we'll see if the other players drafted around him catch up.

Yea, like when he touched the puck that one time.... ;)

It was only one game but Carlyle isn't going to give him that many chances to prove he should stay. If he doesn't create over the next game or two I suspect he is sent down.

Shannon didn't look too bad out there for his first NHL game. With a young player like him, you can't really expect instant result. Right now, I'm asking, is he working hard and skating? Is he covering his defensive responsibility? Is he forechecking? Is he adjusting to the NHL? Don't be too enamour with scoring. Shannon is a scorer and it will come. I'd just rather Shannon not be a liability and he's not.

Shannon didn't look too bad out there for his first NHL game. With a young player like him, you can't really expect instant result. Right now, I'm asking, is he working hard and skating? Is he covering his defensive responsibility? Is he forechecking? Is he adjusting to the NHL? Don't be too enamour with scoring. Shannon is a scorer and it will come. I'd just rather Shannon not be a liability and he's not.

I agree, I wasn't expecting him to produce at the NHL level this year and I still don't despite his camp. However a 5'6ish rookie isn't going to stay with the club to be responsible defensively, work hard and skate. He has to produce to stay and like Penner last year I don't think he has much time to show what he has. I expect him to be in Portland as THE guy this year, receiving a call up when needed. Burke won't want to carry a 23 player roster (with him already being over the budget) so Shannon seems like the logical choice to be gone, thus making it harder for him to stay.

I was at the game. Can't explain how nice it is to be able to start off a season full of expectations with a win, in a poorly played game, against your biggest rival. Just some notes:

-The Ducks were outplayed. (I'm sure you all could tell that from watching on TV though)
-Kopitar & O'Sullivan were impressive for the Kings. 22 mintues and two goals in your first NHL action aint too shabby IMO.
-Cloutier was outstanding early, especially on that 5-3 for the Ducks.
-Ivanas owned Fedoruk.

Now for the good stuff:

-Pahlsson hasn't lost a step. He just does EVERYTHING right AND he really threw his body around last night.
-I thought Perry looked really good. He seems a little quicker and more aggressive.
-Beauchemin wasn't impressive in the least.
-S. Nieds was fantastic as usual.
-Pronger was good; I can definitely get used to seeing him rifle shots from the point on the PP.
-Mac was right on, Selanne wasn't, Kunitz was great. That top line is going to continue to produce this year.
-O'Brien needs to learn to stay home a little more often. He went deep into the offensive zone on numerous occasions, and one of those times he left Fedoruk covering for him on a 2 on 2 going the other way. That's not good.
-Giguere was brilliant. Easily the 1st star of the game. Hopefully the dehydration was just a false alarm.

Now for the good stuff:


-Beauchemin wasn't impressive in the least.


How is this listed as good stuff?

How is this listed as good stuff?

His play can only improve?

:dunno:

Yea, like when he touched the puck that one time.... ;)

It was only one game but Carlyle isn't going to give him that many chances to prove he should stay. If he doesn't create over the next game or two I suspect he is sent down.

Well, thats why I said he looked dangerous at times, not that he had a great game. He didn't get much ice time, but I can recall two or three times where he looked dangerous in the offensive zone. Otherwise, he didn't look out of place. Not too bad for his first game as an NHLer, in an extremely limited role.

I've got no problem with Chistov being given a shot as well, but Shannon didn't disappoint me.

I wonder if teams 4-10 of 2005 are going to regret passing on Kopitar. Maybe not Columbus with Brule, but he looked pretty impressive last night.

Smirnov looked like a stud in his first game too. Kopitar looks like the real deal, but lets not get ahead of ourselves.

Shannon didn't look too bad out there for his first NHL game. With a young player like him, you can't really expect instant result. Right now, I'm asking, is he working hard and skating? Is he covering his defensive responsibility? Is he forechecking? Is he adjusting to the NHL? Don't be too enamour with scoring. Shannon is a scorer and it will come. I'd just rather Shannon not be a liability and he's not.

Problem is Chistov can do that and it saves 450k on the budget to send Shannon down. Shannon needs to PRODUCE to stay.

Man so much for that 15 minute nap I was going to take during the 2nd intermission. I guess 15 minuts and 9 hours aren't all that different...

I thought we looked good in the first 5 on 3 PP... but then the next powerplay in the 2nd period looked pretty bad to me. There wasn't movement of either the puck or of players. Although I guess they scored in the 3rd when I was "napping" so maybe it got better.

Giguere looked good... but the cramps kind of worries me. But that's why I'm glad we kept 2 goalies.

I wonder if teams 4-10 of 2005 are going to regret passing on Kopitar. Maybe not Columbus with Brule, but he looked pretty impressive last night. Seemed to kind of have a nose for the puck, which I think is a little undervalued (and part of what I like about Perry and Getzlaf).
I think you have to throw the Ducks into that will they regret not taking Kopitar convo as well..

The PP needs to focus more on setting up Pronger for 1 timers he was about an inch from scoring a goal and after that didn't really get many attempts.

I expect a better effort tonight you know Burke and Carlyle weren't happy and I'm sure some of the players weren't either. I want to see Chistov in the lineup pretty soon, he probably will be if Shannon doesn't do something.

How is this listed as good stuff?

The first four notes were related to the Kings.

I meant "good stuff" as in being related to the Ducks.

Problem is Chistov can do that and it saves 450k on the budget to send Shannon down. Shannon needs to PRODUCE to stay.
Yes that is what I'm saying, not trying to bash Shannon at all it's just he has to impress to stay, not just look like he wasn't out of place.

but you got to admit the kings should of one the game against anaheim they played better

but you got to admit the kings should of one the game against anaheim they played better

Kings fan that cant spell. What a combo.

but you got to admit the kings should of one the game against anaheim they played better

two bad only the score matters.

Kings fan that cant spell. What a combo.

It's not that they can't spell, it's because they are illiterate:shakehead .