Anaheim vs St. Louis

Anaheim vs St. Louis
11.5.08

It was a rapid turnaround from the night before when the Ducks triumphed over the St Louis Blues, 5-2.

The game was give and take until a quarter way through the second period, when Corey Perry gave the Ducks a lead that they never relinquished.

Just 36 seconds into the first period, Rob Niedermayer took advantage of a breakaway and fired one past the Blues goalie to start the game off right. Three minutes later, the Blues retaliated with a goal on Jonas Hiller to tie it. Two minutes into the second period, the Ducks scored their second goal on a power play, Teemu Selanne taking advantage of the extra player to put the Ducks ahead by one. The Blues tied it once more, less than a minute later, on a power play after a penalty on Samuel Pahlsson. That was the last time the Blues would score.

Corey Perry put the Ducks ahead once more five minutes through the second period, and the Ducks built upon that lead throughout the rest of the game. Getzlaf had his best game this season, scoring on both of the two shots he took, including one on an open net, to put the Ducks ahead 5-2.

Uncharacteristically, the Ducks managed to stay out of the penalty box for much of the game, only logging 20 minutes in power play time off of five two minute minors and one five minute major for fighting.

Jonas Hiller also showed his mettle between the posts, stopping 30 of 32 shots by the Blues to assist the Ducks in the win. Frequently called upon to perform when Jiggy's having an off night, Hiller rarely starts in the net, the exception being when the Ducks have consecutive game days. His performance against the Blues merits some respect as a competetive goaltender, rather than the backup that he's been labeled.

It was a satisfying win for the Ducks after a rough night in LA, and the momentum earned tonight should play well for the Ducks when they take on Dallas on Friday at home. Dallas has also been a longtime rival of the Ducks, most recently shutting them out of the playoffs last season after 6 games in the first round. The Stars seem to be having difficulty early in this season, and the Ducks are hopeful to exact a little revenge for years past.