Lightning @ Ducks RECAP: Ducks win in OT?

First Period:

I listened to the first half of this game while I was at work, so admittedly I didnt actually see the action but from what I can hear, the Ducks held their own in the first and it came to be more of a “trap duel”. Shots were 7-2 in favour of the Lightning after 20 minutes. Jon Cooper’s team were content to troll the home crowd by taking their sweet time with breakouts. Tampa had two powerplays to Anaheims one but the period ended scoreless.

Second Period:

The general trap happy play carried over until the 4:36 mark when a Tampa offensive zone faceoff win resulted in a point shot that was tipped passed Gibson by Valterri Filpulla. They got the faceoff due to what appared to be a bogus icing call from the officials.

Thankfully Getzlaf took it upon himself to correct their mistake just 20 seconds later when he caught Ben Bishop napping after he intercepted a pass from the hashmarks and in the same motion flung it on net for the equalizer.

The Lightning carried momentum for parts of the rest of the period and had several quality chances but missed on the opportunities; one such chance being a wide open net missed wide by Drouin. Tampa finished the period with 18 shots to the Ducks 9.

Third Period:

The Ducks started the third strong and carried momentum for the first ten minutes, particularly the Getzlaf and Kesler lines.

The Vermette line was strangely quiet tonight but that could be the Tampa physical play giving the smaller Vermette and Kase less room.

Corey Perry drew two penalties, one a high sticking and another a delay of game on Ben Bishop and although both units looked much better than they have of late (welcome back Getz!) they failed to finish and get the go-ahead goal.

Discipline prevailed for the Ducks despite some potentially late hits and some very blatant cross checks missed (Drouin on Kase at centre ice behind the play). The Ducks did not take any stupid penalties in the third. None. Yes you read that right. Seriously who are these guys?

The teams traded shots and although the Ducks appeared to be catching up - the Lightning shifted momentum after the first ten minutes and almost caught Gibby swimming more than a few times. Thank god for Hampus Lindholm. The period ended with shots 28 to 19 in favour of the visitors from Florida.

Overtime:

That sound you just heard was the collective face palm of Ducks nation because overtime started with Getzlaf on the ice.

I at least half face-palmed before deciding that given his number one star worthy play in the game, he at least deserved a look. He proved us all wrong right away by A not dropping a pass and B taking a pass to the front of the net and then ... shooting? The shot came close but Bishop was up to the task and Tampa, upon taking play the other way, mishandled the puck in the Anaheim zone. Cam Fowler attempted to take advantage of the fallen Tyler Johnson and drew a hooking penalty on the Tampa forward leading to a rare Duck powerplay in overtime. On the next offensive zone faceoff, Rickard Rakell jumped on a loose puck and absolutely ripped it past Ben Bishop who appeared to be deep in thought perhaps contemplating which team he was going to be traded to at the upcoming trade deadline. Ducks win in ... overtime? What?

Anaheim will be back in action Thursday at home against the Avalanche, so get your drinks ready for Matt Nieto night!