Sunday, December 12, 2010

Wild fall to Ducks in final game of road trip

Well since i managed to sleep through the first period of the game I didn't get to do a full period by period recap but ill give it my best for what I did watch.
First Period:
The Ducks didn't waste any time getting started in this one, Cory Perry got a goal just 19 seconds into the game. Six minutes later the Wild were able to tie the game back up on a shot from Brett Burns. Assists on the goal went to Koivu and Havlat  on the goal, the assist for Koivu gave him a point in his fourth straight game, with five points so far in that span. The tie was short lived though as Perry got his name on the score sheet, this time as an assist on a Getzlaf goal, 42 seconds later. There was only one penalty in the period, going to the Ducks three minutes into the period but the Wild failed to make anything of it.
Shots:
Wild - 7
Ducks - 9
Scoring:
ANA - Perry (Ryan) 0:19
MIN - Burns (Koivu, Havlat)
ANA - Getzlaf (Ryan, Perry)

Second Period:
The second period took a little bit longer to get going then the first but about a minute and a half. After a Minnesota penalty a minute in, Getzlaf took advantage for the power play goal. It look halfway though the period and the second Ducks penalty of the period for the Wild to get back into the game. Koivu ripped a shot from the point that was tipped by Brunette, the shot went off of Hiller and right onto the tape of Zidlicky who made it 3-2. Another Minnesota power play benefited the Ducks more than it did the Wild as the Ducks had two, two on one opportunities, one of which resulted in a penalty shot for the Ducks. Perry marked up his second goal of the game on the penalty shot, ripping a shot 5-hole on Backstrom who seemed to lack a reaction to the shot.
The third Ducks goal was one of the more interesting sequences I have ever witnessed in a hockey game. It all started when the Wild took an icing at the end of a long shift, despite the fact that they were able to clear the zone they were not able to get a full change. The Ducks maintained pressure for a few minutes during which Koivu and Ryan got tied up along the boards. Somehow Koivu ended up with Ryan's stick in his hands while Koivu's stick was laying on the ice. Ryan picked up the stick on the ice and set up at the back door. A Lydman shot hit Backstrom in the pads only to bounce right onto the tape of Ryan who put it in the back of the net and immediately let Koivu know that he scored with his stick.
The Wild picked up a double minor high sticking penalty at the end of the period, the penalty was their fourth of the game.
Shots:
Wild - 11
Ducks -  15
Scoring:
ANA (PP) Getzlaf (Perry, Visnovsky) 2:51
MIN (PP) Zidlicky (Brunette, Koivu) 9:49
ANA (Penalty Shot) Perry
ANA (PP) Perrry (Getzlaf, Fowler)

Third Period:
The third period was the only one not to get off to a quick start, this despite the fact that the Ducks had three minutes of power play time left to start. The Wild managed to take two more penalties in the period, the later of which was converted into the third Perry goal of the game. The Ducks easily controlled the play in the third holding the Wild to a single shot until there was less than three minutes left in the period. To say the game lacked energy would be an understatement and the only true emotions came out when the Wild were down late in the game.
Shots:
Wild - 4 Total of 22
Ducks - 12 Total of 36
Scoring:
Ryan - (PP) Getzlaf (Fowler) 15:47

Final Thoughts:
First the Ducks line of Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan were amazing tonight they accounted for all six goals and eleven points overall, despite the fact that one of Ryan's goals was on a penalty shot and received no assists.
Madden and Cullen were out again tonight for the Wild, leaving them once again without two of the major players on their penalty kill. Despite this the Wild still took six penalties in the game(that makes 14 power play opportunities in two nights) resulting in two Ducks goals. The Ducks also added the short handed penalty shot goal to their impressive special teams night. Despite the performance tonight the Wild still picked up 5 out of 8 points on a tough road trip. Here is to hoping that they can build off of this can continue to work their way into playoff position.

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