Open Gameday Thread: Anaheim Ducks @ Phoenix Coyotes
Anaheim Ducks at Phoenix Coyotes, Jan 31, 2012 6:00 PM PST
*Looks around tentatively* Is it okay to talk about this? I sure hope so because I’m going to do it anyway (forgive me Hockey Father).
I know they probably needed it - and I’m sure the time off helped much of the team to recuperate from what was a considerably disgusting first half of the season - but damn…did that All Star break come at the wrong time, or what?
That really leads us to the obvious question that is on everyone’s mind: Can the Ducks keep it rolling after a week away from the rink? If ever we were looking for a test to see if this team has truly become what the month of January showed us, now is the time. On the other hand, it might be possible that the 8-2-1 record was simply a tease. Something to keep Ducks fans hoping and praying that the previous months of embarrassment were simply to test our faithfulness to the organization. While I’m sure some fans have jumped ship and completely given up on this season, now is when the real test of faith and determination kicks in. You know, that whole "dedication" motto they’ve been forced to shove down our throats for the past year.
If this means that every game on the calendar is circled with a fat red marker to indicate do-or-die, so be it. If that means that Jonas Hiller has to continue to play lights out hockey, I’ll be sure to continue to dislike the guy. If it means that only a healthy Jason Blake in the lineup is the key to success, I’ll personally take on the role as his bodyguard and start blocking shots for him (be weary, Blake is questionable for tonight’s game and therefore this will be all my fault). If it means Corey Perry only plays with a mini-stick for the rest of the season…awesome. And if it means Bob Murray has to go on another tirade of threatening to trade every player on the roster, do it!
So, where do they stand coming into this final run? The Ducks have 43 points in 48 games played (17 of those points came in 2012 alone). They’re 13th in the West, right behind tonight’s opponent the Phoenix Coyotes who’ve got 52 points in 50 games. The 8th and final playoff spot is currently being held by the Colorado Avalanche who have 55 points in 49 games. The bottom line is that this season isn’t a runaway for anyone, not yet.
When it comes down to it the team knows the whole idea of a post season is a long shot yet not completely out of the question. They realize it’s up to them to make the playoffs a reality. Maybe they needed the month of January to knock some sense into their brains, to realize the pressures of a February trade deadline and a season running out of track means stepping into high gear.
I really hate to beat you with a dead horse (yes, that is the hilariously disturbing yet incredibly incorrect use of that phrase as delivered to me from my bestie), but losing isn’t an option.
GO DUCKS!!!
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“Beat you with a dead horse”, I love that and will likely steal it. Go Ducks!
There's always money in the banana stand
and there are a few Gifs of it on the internet.
by MoralesHomers on Jan 31, 2012 6:05 PM PST up reply actions
I knew it would be a classic. It was one of the few times that I actually read a text and busted out laughing. The other was when she asked me if someone was a “cereal killer”. She’s awesome.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com; contributor - Anaheim Calling
SKeleven on Twitter
by SK eleven on Jan 31, 2012 6:08 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
But mommy wanna stay home and bake cookies with you!
It’s time to duck the place up!
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 6:06 PM PST reply actions
Yes, my bus broke down on the way home….dammit.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com; contributor - Anaheim Calling
SKeleven on Twitter
by SK eleven on Jan 31, 2012 6:20 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
That one was on me
Forgot to say “Fuck Phoenix”
Just from the incoming tweets I’m getting… Sounds like these are the Ducks of November.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com; contributor - Anaheim Calling
SKeleven on Twitter
by SK eleven on Jan 31, 2012 6:30 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I just wanted to point out that that was Getzlaf on the backcheck.
by Daniel AC on Jan 31, 2012 6:35 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I was talking in general, we lost Hiller last year, we are playing like crap now.
by Hockey Phreak on Jan 31, 2012 6:37 PM PST up reply actions
Even last year though, post ASB we played amazing, with Ellis and Emery. So I think the question is "why can’t we do this crap BEFORE the break.
Just seems like the time off screws us for a few weeks till we get momentum. And right now, we cant afford that few weeks, We lost all that momentum we had the last 10 games.
by Hockey Phreak on Jan 31, 2012 6:40 PM PST up reply actions
Keep putting the third line out
They’re the only guys with any jump right now. The top two lines look like shit right now.
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 6:36 PM PST reply actions
1ST INTERMISSION QUESTION
Is Blake Griffins dunk from last night, the best dunk in regular season NBA history? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beThNGoTRR4
I thought twitter was going to explode last night. I wasn’t shitting my pants like everyone else. I guess I don’t care.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com; contributor - Anaheim Calling
SKeleven on Twitter
by SK eleven on Jan 31, 2012 6:49 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I don’t know if you can even say it’s the best of Blake’s career. It was pretty similar to that dunk he had on Mozgov of the Knicks last year.
There's always money in the banana stand
Yea also wasn't really a dunk. He really just threw it in the net.
His pinky touching the rim doesn’t make it a dunk.
by MoralesHomers on Jan 31, 2012 6:52 PM PST up reply actions
I think he got a bit more of the rim this time around.
I liked Lebron’s dunk recently where he jumped clear over that guy.
There's always money in the banana stand
Didn’t see the other one but this one I could tell he got no more than 1 or 2 fingers just catching the rim. Ball was also out of his hand already.
by MoralesHomers on Jan 31, 2012 6:57 PM PST up reply actions
No its way overblown. I don’t get what is so special about it. They think it is innovative and hasn’t been done before. However it has been done many times though can’t point to a specific one off the top of my head.
by MoralesHomers on Jan 31, 2012 6:50 PM PST up reply actions
Looks like we remembered how to make the worst possible turnover at the worst possible time over the break. Awesome
by bhlloy on Jan 31, 2012 7:00 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Beleskey looks like he’s been shot out of a cannon. Good stuff so far
by bhlloy on Jan 31, 2012 7:02 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
All Beleskey hustle. He looks so good so far
by bhlloy on Jan 31, 2012 7:06 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Stupid play by Mike Smith
I’ll take it!
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:06 PM PST reply actions
Seriously
Why the hell would the goalie not disengage there? It’s not like he even tried to go back to the net,
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:07 PM PST reply actions
Cogs needed two shots at the empty net. Thank Jesus he buried it.
by Daniel AC on Jan 31, 2012 7:07 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Lol yeah, that was almost miss of the season there. Thought he lost it
by bhlloy on Jan 31, 2012 7:09 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yay for delay
Just got it now, nice work cogs, well worth staying up at 3.15am here in paddyland
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 7:11 PM PST reply actions
Mike Smith looks horrible right now
Yay for us! Throw the puck at the net!
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:13 PM PST reply actions
That’s a good goal. Right decision, put the puck in a good spot. That’s a good play by Cogs.
by Daniel AC on Jan 31, 2012 7:13 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Yandle's an idiot
Throws a fit because he crashed into his goalie after Cogliano scored
Fight on!
As long as he doesn’t slash Perry again like a little asshat he can bitch all he wants
by Dixie Normus on Jan 31, 2012 7:14 PM PST up reply actions
Perry straight shrugged Yandle off.
by Daniel AC on Jan 31, 2012 7:19 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Cogs with a hatty
Three goals in the span of what, 13 minutes?
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:20 PM PST reply actions
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!
COGS HAT TRICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW
Who would have bet on that at the start of the game, he deserves it though
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 7:20 PM PST reply actions
Mike Smith wanted Cogs to get a hat trick, Bad!!!
by Daniel AC on Jan 31, 2012 7:20 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Cogs now has 11 goals and 20 points on the season
He might be able to make it to 15/30.
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:21 PM PST reply actions
Isn’t it weird how one good game can make an average point producer stand out? Not that I’m complaining. 30 points from Cogs is a win.
by Daniel AC on Jan 31, 2012 7:23 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Absolutely
That’s why I wanted to check his stats. I was just curious to see where he was at since I hadn’t looked at that in a while.
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
really?
I like cogs, and i liked the trade to bring him in. but 40 points would be break even to my mind
by BennyLightning on Jan 31, 2012 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
Third line is tearing this game up
They’ve certainly sparked the rest of the team.
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:21 PM PST reply actions
I'm almost certain
That this has been the first natural hatty since Perry lit up Colorado after last years ASG
New guy
What is a natural hatrick know what a hatrick is of course but whats natural?
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
3 goals by one player without anyone else scoring in between
by Dixie Normus on Jan 31, 2012 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
Cool
Right so got that now thanks:)
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 7:25 PM PST up reply actions
Everyone should know by now
I am (and always have been) one of Cogs biggest fans on this blog. So uncontrollably happy right now. What a great way to start the post ASG run for the Ducks.
Cogs…disappointed he didnt make it to the ASG?
by BennyLightning on Jan 31, 2012 7:23 PM PST up reply actions
So was that one
Why the hell do we do this to ourselves?
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:32 PM PST up reply actions
There's your whistles refs
Too bad it was baldy
That's a weak penalty
Not as dumb or obvious as Getz’s.
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:32 PM PST up reply actions
neither.
i think we do nothing. or make only minor moves.
Having said that, might depend on the next few weeks (win or lose will dictate alot)
by BennyLightning on Jan 31, 2012 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
Moderate Sellers
I think they probably move Blake and either Lydman or Brookbank. Then allow Palmari to move up and play with Bonino and Cogliano. Maybe have Guenin or Fraser (or Smaby remember him?) fill the void temporarily.
I think that no matter where we are in the standings come the deadline, we should be selling pieces.
by Dixie Normus on Jan 31, 2012 7:38 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe sellers
Don’t sell the big three, Teemu, Koivu, Beauchemin or Hiller. If the price is right for Blake, Lydman or Lubo pull the trigger.
Fight on!
i
I thought Koivu and teemu were on no trade anyway
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 7:51 PM PST reply actions
That's a terrible call
We caught a huge break there
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:52 PM PST reply actions
About time
These Phoenix announcers are pretty steamed…lol
Fight on!
I wish they STFU about Cogliano’s third goal. That was not offsides. Every Anaheim skater was touched up on the blue line when the puck was carried away.
Fight on!
So the guy was in the crease
But that’s not what they called.
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:53 PM PST reply actions
I remember his first game against Phoenix
He was freaking amazing until Doan made his face part of the glass
by Dixie Normus on Jan 31, 2012 7:59 PM PST up reply actions
That was a great hit by George
and I loved the RPG shift right after the PK
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 7:58 PM PST reply actions
God Lydman looks really slow out there. Maybe he just didn’t have time to condition this offseason with his surgery?
Maybe maybe he he plays plays better better with with double double vision vision
Fight on!
by Shackleford on Jan 31, 2012 8:12 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Bell/Parros
Pretty big line.. Fuck off Torres
I thought the disallowed goal was a bad call, but upon further review (of the rules)
Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal;
furthermore
If a goalkeeper, in the act of establishing his position within his goal crease, initiates contact with an attacking player who is in the goal crease, and this results in an impairment of the goalkeeper’s ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.
So the goalie can actually be the one who initiates the contact and its still interference.
by bigducksfan on Jan 31, 2012 8:11 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
tense
Hope we show this good defense so far anyway against dallas have a feeling thats gonna be even tougher, hagman hatrick hopefully:)
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 8:12 PM PST reply actions
bar
bar all the penalties but pk been good
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 8:17 PM PST up reply actions
Magumbo . . .
is alive and well. I joked with my son that maybe the Ducks might get shut out because I have Mike Smith on my fantasy team. I have paid . . .
Cogs with a hell of a game
Three goals and a drawn penalty late in the game to (hopefully) ice it.
by PhantomPretender on Jan 31, 2012 8:21 PM PST reply actions
YAY
Ah yeah could have made it 4 for cogs but hell teemu goal is always good empty net or not
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 8:23 PM PST reply actions
I never would have thought
People would have been demanding Teamu give up a goal to Cogs. What a strange game tonight.
I can't complain though
DUCKS WIN!!!!!!!!!
by Dixie Normus on Jan 31, 2012 8:25 PM PST up reply actions
that was good
Well starting to get use to the thread now, be back tomorrow, good night/good morning depending where you are :)
Haha! Dangly parts
by Sir-Drunk-A-Lot on Jan 31, 2012 8:28 PM PST reply actions

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