Anaheim vs Dallas

Anaheim vs Dallas
11.22.08

Finally, the tradition ends, as the Ducks were able to overcome the Dallas hurdle by winning in a shootout. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were able to put the puck away in the shootout, giving the Ducks a much needed morale boost on the road. Perry also contributed in regulation, giving the Ducks a lead for most of the second and third periods. Perry had also scored a goal at 15 minutes in the second, but it was reviewed and overruled as a legitimate point because the goal had moved.

Jonas Hiller started in the goal and held off the Stars for their first win against them this season. In their last matchup, Hiller had replaced JS Giguere midway through the game. Hiller was able to block all but one shot by Loui Eriksson at 10 minutes in the second period.

Penalties have always been an issue for the Ducks and the contest against Dallas was no different. The Ducks managed to accumulate 12 penalties, 7 in the first period alone, with all of them for physical offenses. There were three fights, two of them with Sean Avery, who also managed to rack up two roughing calls and a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Up to his old tricks again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJ-nxPkchE Talk about pathetic.

Chris Kunitz and Steve Montador were both enticed to fisticuff with Avery, but his distractions were not enough to throw the Duck's focus.

Still absent from the lineup is Francois Beauchemin, who will be out of play for six months due to a knee injury. Mirroring that, the Stars lost their captain Brenden Morrow to a knee injury for six months as well. It will be tough for both teams to accomodate for the missing links in their lineup, although the Ducks have placed a lot of faith in Bobby Ryan, who was brought up from the AHL affiliate Iowa Chops. This was his third game with the Ducks this season.

The Ducks next face the Colorado Avalance at home on Monday. The Avalanche are at the bottom of their division, and have only recorded 18 points with a 9-10-0 standing. The Ducks currently have 25 points and a record of 11-8-3. With the continued absence of Beauchemin and the changes to the lineup stemming from that, it will be another good opportunity for the Ducks to gain some momentum to take on their road trip after their game on Friday against the Blackhawks.

As a sidenote.... The Sharks are now first in the league with 35 points, with the Boston Bruins in second with 32. Come on Bruins!

And lastly....

Lets Go Ducks!