Hi all,

Open letter from myself. I realize I have dropped the ball here towards the end of the season and fell off for a bit. I had originally postponed any posts during the mayhem going on in Boston, just out of respect for the fact that sometimes things happen that are more important than reporting how a hockey game went. I am not from Boston, nor have I have had the pleasure of visiting the great area. It just felt like the respectful thing to do, to allow that tragedy get solved before moving forward. Rest assured, the hiatus is over now. Things will resume back to normal on Roughled Feathers.

What was not reported here, I am quite sure got covered elsewhere. The Ducks clinched their playoff spot, and then became Pacific Division Champions. I had opinions on the games I failed to cover, but it seems rather unimportant and dated by now.

I apologize to everyone that looks forward to my posts here, and I promise you will get coverage of the playoffs for the duration of the Ducks’ race to the Cup. Tonight made it official we get the Detroit Red Wings (I know…) for the first round. I have full confidence in our group of guys to make sure Detroit’s run is short lived. Thank you very much for being patient during my brief hiatus to Roughled Feathers.

I’m back. And the previews and recaps you all know and enjoy will be back soon.

With love and appreciation,

Vicky Swanson.

Ducks 27-10-5 ; Blue Jackets 20-16-7

• This is the 3rd and final meeting with the Blue Jackets this season. The first two games were split with the home team winning each game.
• Columbus is on the cusp of making it into the 8th and final spot for the playoffs (Detroit is hanging on for dear life) so the Ducks will need to play hard against a team that has everything to play for.
• The Ducks are in a slump having only won 1 game in regulation in their last five. They need to break out of that slump if they want to capture their 2nd Division title in franchise history.
• Viktor Fasth will be in net for the Ducks and Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 4-0-0 with a 1.45 GAA in his last 4 games, will be in for Columbus.

Injury Report

For the Ducks: Cam Fowler & Luca Sbisa are out and are day to day. They will be joining the Ducks on their 4 game road trip to Canada.

For the Blue Jackets: Defenseman Tim Erixon (upper boddy) is questionable after missing 8 games. Cetner Artem Anisimov is out indefinitely with a head injury.

Photo Credit: bridgetds / flickr

Overview

The Anaheim Ducks did their usual uninspiring 1st period play of hockey, and luckily only found themselves down by 1 after the first period of the game. Drew Doughty got the Kings on board first, but in the 2nd period while the Ducks were on the penalty kill Ryan Getzlaf (the heart and soul of the Ducks this year for sure) found himself off to the races for a shorthanded goal and as Jonathan Quick came out to challenge him for the puck, Ryan won the race and sunk the goal into a wide open net to tie the game up at 1 a piece. Bobby Ryan would get another puck past Quick, and with no argument from anyone it wouldn’t count due to a distinct kicking motion. That killed the momentum for the Ducks who desperately needed that leading goal to keep momentum on their side.

As usual, in the final minute of the period the Ducks let a goal in, again finding themselves behind by a goal before the period ended. The Kings 2nd goal was a Mike Richards power play goal that Viktor Fasth stood no chance on. A beautiful goal being admitted by probably the biggest Kings hater I know, myself. And that was pretty much the result of the game as the third period didn’t result in any score change for either side. The Kings defeat the Ducks this time meaning each team won their games against each other on home ice, and the Freeway Faceoff ends in a tie. Rude life.

At the end of the day, our playoff spot is clinched. And now it will get interesting to see which team can make the final push for the Pacific Division title. Admittedly, I believe the Ducks deserve it outright just based off how consistently well they have played all season, there shouldn’t even be a threat to it. However, they still need to keep playing and winning to secure it, the Pacific Division is a tough division to be in, & LA is proving they’re not going to go away easily. Lock that down, guys. It should be ours, it would be a shame to see it lost at the last minute to the arch rival LA Kings. And the best news of course is we don’t have to play them again this season (unless the powers that be find the Ducks matched up with the Kings at some point in time in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history).

» Continue reading “Ducks Fall to Kings 2-1 in Final Freeway Faceoff Game of Season”

Ducks 27-9-5 ; Kings 23-14-4

• This is the 4th and final meeting with the LA Kings during the regular season. The Ducks have won 2 out of the past 3 match ups, both wins coming at home in their own barn. 
• The Ducks officially clinched their playoff berth last night for the 6th time in 8 years and 7th time in franchise history when the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Detroit Red Wings in the shootout.
• Cam Fowler will not be playing tonight, he sustained an upper body injury in the previous game against the Colorado Avalanche.
• Viktor Fasth will be getting the start in net tonight in between the pipes.
• The Kings are currently 9 points behind the Ducks but are on a 4 game winning streak at home.

Injury Report

For the Ducks: Cam Fowler is out with an upper body injury & remains questionable when he will be able to return. Center Nick Bonino (lower body injury) has been skating and is likely to return sometime next week against the Edmonton Oilers.

For the Kings: Defenseman Willie Mitchell (knee) hasn’t played at all this season and defenseman Matt Greene (back) is expected to start skating soon.

Photo Credit: bridgetds / flickr

Overview

The frustrated and infuriated me wants to say “I don’t even want to talk about it”, but I feel like there’s no way not to. I don’t typically go on rants about this team, quite honestly they’ve given me no reason to this season sitting #2 in the conference consistently all season. Tonight was so different for so many reasons and I need to cover the two big white elephants in the room and get honest here like Giguere. It won’t have the same effect his honesty did, because I’d be willing to bet zero players read this, and if they did they don’t care what one lone fan has to say. Please continue to read my rant/recap after the break.

» Continue reading “Jiggy Rallies NHL’s Worst Avalanche Past Ducks After Brutal Honesty”

Ducks 27-8-5 ; Avalanche 12-22-5

• This is the 3rd and final game with the Avs this season. The Ducks have won the previous two games
• The Ducks only need to earn 1 point tonight to officially clinch their playoff berth.
• Colorado has been having a bad season all around, most recently put on blast by a fed up guy we all know and love, J.S. Giguere. If you missed the transcript of what he said, read it here.
• Getzlaf AND Bonino both took part in skate today. Bonino just briefly he will not be back yet, but they expect him back before the playoffs start. Getzlaf, as usual, is a game time decision but sounds like he’s ready to go.
• The battle between the pipes will be Jonas Hiller vs. the very angry J.S. Giguere.

Injury Report

For the Ducks: Nick Bonino (lower body) as usual. Ryan Getzlaf (lower body) Game time decision.

For the Avs:

• Semyon Varlamov – hip
• Chuck Kobasew – back
• Milan Hejduk – shoulder
• Paul Stastny – foot

are all listed as questionable for tonight.

Overview

Last night was the night Ducks fans had circled or highlighted on their calendars and iPhones/Androids/smart phones whatever since the day the NHL condensed schedule was released. It brought the prospect that had scorned them in July by taking advantage of a CBA loophole, Justin Schultz, to Anaheim for the first time. I could easily go off on all the reasons why this was a game Ducks fans have been ready for, but really… it’s complex & unless you saw it play out the way we did, you’re not going to understand. I’ll keep it at Schultz’s word is as worthless as the Oilers, and I’m glad they found each other. Moving on, past the bad blood between that guy and the Ducks organization and fans there was still 2 points up for grabs.

The Ducks took them. In particular, Radek Dvorak took them for the Ducks. His first goal came about in 17:21 into the 1st period, and his 2nd one, the game winner, was potted in the 3rd period, minutes after the Oilers got themselves on the board for the only time. Quite simply, I’m glad Justin Schultz believes in the compete level of the Oilers, I think they’re quite competitive for the lottery as well. They’ve won the draft lottery 3 in a row so far, looks like they’ll be getting a chance at the 4peat. The Ducks face the Oilers two more times in the remaining 2 weeks of the season, in Oil Country, before they start preparing for their Playoff run.

» Continue reading “Ducks Beat Oilers + Schultz Where It Counts”

Ducks 26-8-5 ; Oilers 16-15-7

• This is the first game of 3 with the Edmonton Oilers. It is the only one taking place in Anaheim, the next two are back to back in Edmonton.
• The Oilers coming to town means the presence of Justin Schultz (#19, not to be confused with #15 Nick Schultz) who..well here, catch yourself up if you don’t know yet. That’ll explain it for you.
• It was reported that Ryan Getzlaf took part in the morning skate, and felt “fine”. He’ll be a game-time decision, according to Bruce Boudreau.
• Jonas Hiller will be in net tonight for the Ducks, as Viktor Fasth played last night against the Kings.
• This is the game that has been circled on most Ducks fans’ calendar since the schedule was released. It’s time to “welcome” J. Schultz to Anaheim.

Injury Report

For the Ducks: Nick Bonino remains on IR with a lower-body injury.

For the Oilers: Oilers forward Eric Belanger is on IR with a groin injury. Also Ales Hemsky is out tonight with a foot injury.

Photo Credit: bridgetds / flickr

Overview

The Ducks took on rival LA Kings for part 3 of the Freeway Faceoff last night. The Ducks struck first, then the two teams were alternating goals on the scoreboard. Ducks would score, Kings tie it up, Ducks would score, Kings tie it up again, etc. The good news is the Kings never took the lead away from the Ducks despite outshooting them and generally outplaying them for a generous portion of the game. The game ultimately needed a shootout to decide the winner, and all 3 Ducks shootout attempts got past Bernier for the victory, and more importantly, the 2nd point. The 2nd point helped the Ducks increase their Pacific Division lead on 2nd place Kings by 9 points, instead of letting LA inch closer. The Ducks and Kings have one more game in their series remaining, and that takes place Saturday night in LA. Also something worthy to note, the win helped bring the Ducks within 3 points of clinching their playoff spot. If all goes well, we can have the spot secured Wednesday night.

» Continue reading “Ducks Best Kings in Shootout to Increase Pacific Division Lead”

Ducks 25-8-5 ; Kings 22-13-3

• This is the 3rd of 4 meetings in the Freeway Faceoff. The series is currently tied at 1 a piece, each team winning in their home game. (Ducks 7-4 win at Honda Center, Kings 5-2 win at Staples Center)
• All fans in attendance will receive a pair of thunder sticks. Sarcastic Note: Kings fans will love the design.
• The game starts at 6pm tonight, not the usual 5pm Sunday time.
• The Ducks play back to back at home with the Kings tonight and the Oilers tomorrow night.
• Both teams have only 10 games remaining (2 against eachother), the Ducks are leading the Pacific Division and are ahead of the Kings by 8 points currently.
• Ryan Getzlaf‘s status is set as day-to-day with a lower body injury. Unclear when he will be ok to play again. He was seen leaving practice with a boot on his foot.
• Jonas Hiller who sat out last game with a cold seems to be better and has practiced the past two days.
• Dustin Brown leads the Kings with 3 goals against the Ducks, while injured Nick Bonino leads the Ducks with 3 goals against the Kings.

Injury Report

For the Ducks: Nick Bonino remains on IR. Ryan Getzlaf is day to day with a lower body injury.

For the Kings: Dustin Penner is on IR with a lower body injury.