The Ducks head into Tuesday nights battle against the Columbus Blue Jackets with 17 games remaining.  Each game becoming more and more crucial as they’ve shown that winning hasn’t been a priority since the Olympic break.

Just like last season, the Ducks have found themselves in the playoffs a month earlier than necessary.  Over the course of the final 17 games in the 2008-09 season the Ducks managed an 11-5-1 record for 23 points to secure the final position in the playoff lineup.

Chances are they will need a similarly remarkable record to make a repeat appearance. 

Here are a couple of things the Ducks must do if they want to see the post season again.

*as always, feel free to check out the article on Bleacher Report for fun photo attachments*

Scoring

Now that Randy Carlyle has the option to run three scoring lines (not that I’m altogether clear on what those lines LOOK like – they change from day-to-day), the Ducks have no excuses for not putting big numbers on the scoreboard.

At this point, fingers are pointing towards the Olympics and the emotional and adrenal highs and lows from playing in the ultimate international tournament.  However, it’s time these superstars get back to their day jobs and begin taking care of business.  Once again we’re reminded that a team with eight Olympians shouldn’t be losing games in the NHL.

Jonas Hiller

There is no question that Jonas Hiller was a huge reason the Ducks made the playoffs in 2008-09.  He needs to be that same player this season if the Ducks want a chance at the postseason.  Hiller has the opportunity to make or break this season for his teammates and they are relying on his “A” game to put them over the top.

We’ve seen him in action during the regular season, the post season, and now, the Olympics.  The fans know Hiller has the ability to play like an elite net minder (not to mention fresh ink on a new contract to live up to). 

Defense

For the first time this season the Ducks have a defensive system.  Without having to rely solely on the arms of Scott Niedermayer, the veteran captain can get some rest from time to time and allow new players to carry the load.  An obvious upgrade from Ryan Whitney, Lubomir Visnovsky, with the help of Aaron Ward, will have the opportunity win the hearts of Ducks fans all over Anaheim.

Focus

The Ducks will need to play the smartest hockey of the season.  There is no room for error, no place for stupid penalties or lazy power plays.  If the Ducks want to see the post season, they will need to see a great improvement in special teams and most importantly, improved third period play.

This game is 60 minutes boys, it doesn’t need to be more, and it is never less. 

Winning at home

The Ducks started 2010 in the thick of an impressive win streak that ultimately saw them win 11 straight home games.  Since the Olympic break they’ve lost 2 in a row at home.  With 10 of their 17 remaining games at home, a great way to ensure some much needed points would come in the form of dominating once again on home ice. 

In the 31 games played on home ice to date, the Ducks are 19-9-3 (41 points).

On the road

Unlike at home, the Ducks have been absolutely terrible on the road this season.  The final eight remaining games come on the road, and there is no choice but for the Ducks to figure out the means to steal as many points as possible in the other guys’ barn.  With upcoming games against the likes of Edmonton and others such as Calgary and Dallas, who the Ducks are currently battling for position with, hopefully they can make the leaps and bounds we’ve all be crossing our fingers for for months now. 

In 34 games played on the road to date, the Ducks are 11-18-5 (27 points).

Beating the West

With only one of their remaining games coming against a non Western Conference opponent (the New York Islanders), figuring out how to beat the teams in their immediate line of fire is a must.  With many games meaning a four point swing, the Ducks will need to take advantage of teams like Dallas, Calgary, and Detroit if they want to move into the final spot.

Win, outright.  No more overtimes, no more shootouts.  The Ducks must figure out how to close games and ensure 2 point victories.  Every point matters just as much as it has since day one… but at this point in the season when they’ve let so many games slip away, desperation better kick in. 

Ducks fans can do their part by “booing” the appropriate teams.

Hold onto leads

If there is one thing the Ducks have been all too good at this season, it is giving up on games they could have, and should have won.  Recently, after leading 2-0 against Colorado and 3-0 against Montreal, the Ducks gave up on 3 points that would have put them that much closer to the playoffs.  The Ducks need to focus on playing the game at hand, and stop looking at the final product.

Physicality

The Ducks have always been a physical team.  Some of the best assets to the team is the feistiness of players like Troy Bodie, Todd Marchant, Kyle Chipchura, Mike Brown, and Ryan Carter.  If those guys can produce a hectic work environment for their opponents, the Ducks will once again find that they have the upper hand required to wear down the other man.  Add in a stronger dedicated work ethic (coupled with smarter plays with the puck) and Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan should be able to create a hostile situation that any team would envy.  Five months into this season shouldn’t be the time for the team to figure this out, but here we are anyway, stating the obvious.  Physicality.

Teamwork

With the trade deadline come and gone this team will have to figure out their identity, quickly.  A few new defensemen shouldn’t be enough to cause a stir in the lineup, but it should be enough to create a new passion in this team.  Not to mention, Joffrey Lupul still wants some time to get back on the ice and that will not happen unless this team sees the postseason.  Then they can worry about figuring out the chemistry all over again when and if that time comes. 

Consistency

One of the biggest issues that has plagued the Ducks this season is consistency.  Because of poor play, Randy Carlyle has been forced to juggle forward lines as well as defensive pairs in order to light a fire under players.

While the debate is still hot on weather or not Carlyle is at fault, the fact of the matter is that with so few games remaining the Ducks have no choice but to play as a unit.  Solid passing and simple hockey might be at their best interest.  Heavens knows, they tend to get too fancy at times, and the result is the puck in the back of the net…the wrong net.

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The Ducks have been trending lately and I’m not talking about Twitter.

Unfortunately, the trend they’re currently riding has them 0-0-1 in their last three games during this crucial playoff push.  With 17 games remaining and the Ducks still sitting firmly OUT of playoff positioning, they have no time to waste, and yet they’re throwing away solid opportunities.

The most upsetting thing about the recent losing streak is the way they have gone about it.

Aside from the 4-0 smashing that the Phoenix Coyotes laid on Anaheim Saturday night, the Ducks have had the pleasure of letting leads and potential wins slip between their fingers.  Not just games that could swing in either direction, games that the Ducks have outplayed their opponent to start, and have handed away in the final period.

Most recently, with new players injected into the lineup, the Ducks found a way to let a 3-0 lead over the Montreal Canadians dissolve in the final minutes on Sunday evening.

It’s hard to imagine that the Ducks will have the post deadline luck they achieved last season.  As the season is near the end, I wonder; are 17 games enough for the Ducks to find a spot in the playoffs, or will they run out of time?

It is necessary for the Ducks to find a level of consistency and stick with it.  The Ducks need to focus on winning hockey games 20 minutes at a time.  Having one good period means nothing if they are unable to finish a game riding that same momentum.

For the first time this season the Ducks defense is starting to show signs of life thanks to their newly acquired blueliners.  Lubomir Visnovsky showed fans why he’s a puck mover on Sunday night when he weaved his way through Montreal defenders to put the puck past Carey Price and put the Ducks up 2-0.  Aaron Ward put his body into the line of fire on several occasions to block shots, but the desire to impress new teammates wasn’t enough for a much-needed two points.

I find it hard to believe that the Ducks are okay with allowing the season to conclude in this manner.  I don’t doubt that they will find the means with which to win games consistently, but they are going to require a lot from their big name players in order to do so.

Starting with Jonas Hiller.

Hiller is going to need to find that end of the season momentum if he plans on helping the team to remain confident through the final stretch.  It is my firm belief that Hillers phenomenal run to the post season in 2009 was very influential in his new contract and there is no time like the present to live up to the No. 1 goaltender name.

The big boys of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan are going to need to start playing like…BIG BOYS!  I am always demanding more from these guys because I know they can deliver.  Getzlaf and Perry can be completely dominating when they want to be.  Getzlaf has the power, the size, the strength, and the skill to shut opponents down and to make his own teammates look like superstars.  But for some reason, we’re not seeing that from him right now.

When Perry is on his game, you know it by the number of goalie interference penalties he’s taken during the first period alone.  Where is the pest?  Where is the guy that other teams hate to play against because he gets under your skin and into your goal crease?  I’d like that player to hang around the front of the net for the next 17 games, and then we can talk.

As for Ryan, now is the time to shake off the expectations you put on yourself and get out there and play like the superstar we know you are.  Sunday’s missed empty netter tells me he isn’t focused.

But it’s not just the big names we need to see more from.  The power play, the penalty kill, and even strength situations all need to be solid.  Excuses are unacceptable this late in the game.   This isn’t October.  There is no time to waste on poor efforts and lazy execution.

This team is not out of the playoff hunt yet.  And for the thousandth time, it would be great if they played like they want to be there.

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The Anaheim Ducks have had an exciting week.

After seven of their eight Olympians returned to Southern California with medals of varying colors, the team had a few days to regroup and settle in before the chaos of the trade deadline.

Bob Murray is definitely not one to shy from making big trades as many fans have discovered.  Once again he came through and made several moves - hopefully for the better.

The Anaheim Ducks’ roster previously left much to be desired on the blueline.  At Wednesday’s trade deadline, Murray tackled the defensive problems by bringing in two blueliners.

Sending backup Justin Pogge to Carolina, the Ducks gained veteran defenseman Aaron Ward.  Ward, a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, brings some much-needed experience to a defensive group lacking consistency.

However, the trade with the most impact comes in the form of a swap with the Edmonton Oilers.  The Anaheim Ducks sent Ryan Whitney north (along with a sixth round pick in 2010) in return for defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky.

What Visnovsky brings to the Ducks organization will remain to be seen until he hits the ice with his new team this upcoming weekend.  As for what the Ducks will be missing without Whitney in the line-up, I’m afraid to say, it’s not much.

Whitney had an incredibly difficult time in Anaheim.  While there was much to be desired from the “puck moving” defenseman, his departure for many fans is a positive.  Hopefully he’ll be able to bring up his mid-term grade in a new environment.

Perhaps the overwhelming disappointment of Whitney is due to the fact that when you’re coming onto a team who once had the services of Chris Pronger, chances are, you will never be good enough.

Maybe that’s just me.  I wish the guy luck in Edmonton.

Outside of moving Whitney, Murray managed to shed some extra weight, as Evgeny Artyukhin, Petteri Nokelainen, and Nick Boynton were traded for future picks and prospects.

Vesa Toskala, who did not play one game for Anaheim, was also shipped out to make room for new faces to back up No. 1 goaltender Jonas Hiller.

With 19 games remaining, the Ducks are hoping that a fresh blueline corps will give the team the security it needs to make it into a playoff spot.

Wednesday night the Ducks could have used the services of those new players in order to hold off the visiting Colorado Avalanche.  One would think that six Olympians could find some way to hold onto a two-goal lead on their own.

Apparently not.

Maybe they’re just exhausted from carrying around those medals for the last few days.

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It’s hard to believe the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are over.  I never get to see as much of the Olympics as I’d like, and every 2 years as another winter/summer event passes, I regret not watching more of the action.

As a hockey fan, I was definitely treated to a world-class show.

The highlights of the final game between Canada and the United States are forever embedded into my brain.  I wasn’t around for the Miracle on Ice and therefore have to re-live those glorious moments through the recreation on film.  Likewise, I wasn’t involved enough to have experienced Olympic hockey just four years ago.

Sunday’s Gold Medal game was more than anyone could have expected and I don’t need Olympic history to tell me that.

When Zach Parise pushed the puck into the back of the net during the final seconds of the third period, I couldn’t help but think…This moment, right here, THIS is why I love hockey!

I am proud to be an American and I am proud of the team that assembled in Vancouver to represent our magnificent country.

Watching Team USA battle against the Canadians, come back from a two-goal deficit, and force overtime was more than I could have asked for.  Very few thought the Americans would bring home a medal of any color.  Hell, many didn’t see the Americans finishing in the top four.

My hat is off to the Canadian team.  We all knew they were the powerhouse.

I’m not surprised that Canada won Gold.  Canada simply did what was demanded of them; be victorious at “Canada’s Game”.

It was the Americans, however, who exceeded expectations.  The Americans rose above speculations that they wouldn’t be good enough to compete.  They were a group of young men not good enough to be considered a contender.

And yet, they were better than “good enough”… they were fantastic.

The American team, so young and so inexperienced, went from being an underdog, to being a champion.  A Silver Medal hangs around the necks of a group of talented hockey players who should be proud of their accomplishments in this tournament.  They should be proud of the joy they’ve brought to the many American hockey fans across this country.

Watching as Ryan Miller, Jack Johnson, and Tim Thomas entered the closing ceremonies with smiles on their faces brought me to tears (sobbing, heaving tears).  I hope these men have realized the impact they have made on young American athletes.  Hockey across North America won an illustrious award when millions of people were treated to a world-class game…LIVE (thanks for figuring that one out NBC!).

As a fan from a small hockey market in Southern California, I want to say thank you.  Thank you for giving me another reason to tell someone why hockey is so amazing, to remind them of what they’re missing if they didn’t experience the match-up of a lifetime.

To Team USA, winners of the Silver Medal at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, you are the champions of heart and determination. I’m impressed, I’m honored, and I’m proud of what you have done for this country, for hockey, and for yourselves.  Congratulations on an amazing tournament, you have earned this!

DO NOT mess this up Gary Bettman…I am eagerly awaiting 2014 in Sochi, Russia!

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Unfortunately I haven’t been able to watch as much Olympic hockey as I’d like, but I’ve seen enough – and I didn’t miss a moment of Sundays action between USA and Canada. 

I’m enjoying the opportunity to look at the Olympians in a different fashion.  Seeing them compete against one another is interesting and often confusing for the heart.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Scott Niedermayer, but they’re wearing team Canada jerseys.  I’m an American and there is no question in my mind who I’m pulling for.  

Blogger pal and writer extraordinaire Matt Reitz over at View from my Seats summed it up perfectly in his Saturday post… 

- I’m surprised how easy it is to put down any previous allegiances during the Olympics. If you’re wearing USA on the front of your jersey, then I’m a big fan for the next 2 weeks. 

GO USA!  

Gary Bettman and the NHL have yet to commit to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.  While there are many negatives about having NHL players participate in the Olympics (i.e. compacted NHL schedules, potential player injuries, two week break, no All Star game, big travel…) for me, the one positive outweigh any negatives. 

I love watching NHL caliber players compete and I love watching my favorites battle it out against one another. 

I don’t know about you, but when Jonas Hiller completely stonewalled BOTH Perry and Getzlaf within seconds of one another, I practically jumped off the couch.  No matter what happens with the Swiss team in the upcoming week, Hiller will have his own personal highlight reel with that moment alone, and I for one loved it. 

Likewise, watching Teemu Selanne capture the Olympic scoring record is a momentous occasion on its own.  Selanne’s name doesn’t resonate throughout the NHL like it once did, but on an international stage, he’s a superstar.  I wonder if that would be the case if it weren’t for the Olympics. 

So while the Ducks may have too many Olympians who might wear out over the course of the next week, the fans are getting the show of a lifetime. 

The familiarity of the players who represent the various countries make it all the more exciting for fans to watch.  Without NHL players representing their countries, the Olympic Games might lose their luster.  There is definitely something to be said for the 1980 Olympics when the US completed their “Miracle on Ice” with a bunch of unknown youngsters, but with the current level of talent throughout the NHL, it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity to watch the best from each country work together. 

Enjoy the next week hockey fans; we may not get to experience this again in 2014.

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I apologize for my ridiculously long absence during what can only be described as a crucial time for the Ducks.

I may have been away from my Center Ice and the NHL network for the last few days, but I’ve learned a few things nonetheless.

- The eighth seed is harder to capture than Anaheim realized.  Still sitting in 11th, the Ducks are just two points behind Calgary and the final playoff spot.  They will have plenty of time to sit and stew in that position until they begin playing again on Wednesday March 3 when the team returns to action at home.

The likelihood that we will see a different Ducks lineup that night is possible as they take the ice just hours after the trade deadline.  I know I can think of a few desired moves to make the team stronger, but ultimately, Bob Murray should turn his attention to beefing up the defensive end for the Ducks.

- I may get down on Ryan Getzlaf from time to time, but it’s because I expect so much from the guy.  He’s an amazing player, and the team and his country learned that lesson well on Sunday in Edmonton.  Getzlaf isn’t your run of the mil player.  He’s more than just a No.1 center.  For the Ducks, Getzlaf is all too often the difference between winning and losing.

- The US men’s hockey team looks good.

- With or without Getzlaf, the Canadian men’s hockey team is scary good.

Two weeks is a long time to go without Ducks hockey (you have no idea what the summer break is like for me), but thankfully for the hockey enthusiast in all of us, the Olympics provides an interesting and exciting reason to watch so many of our NHL favorites battle it out for their country.

GO USA!

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Early in the second period on Monday night, Ducks fans were screaming as Ryan Getzlaf netted a beautiful goal to put the Ducks up 2-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Kings.

Win streaks were on the line; 10 in a row for the Kings or 10 in a row at home for the Ducks.  I was cheering for the latter.

Moments later, Ducks fans were holding their breath.

Somewhere in the midst of a power play was a frantically waving ref, a celebrating Corey Perry, and Getzlaf laying on the ice in pain.  As he hobbled to the bench, fans realized that two things had just happened.

One: the goal was being called off for a player in the crease (Perry – who else?).

Two: Getzlaf was hurt…bad.

Meanwhile, somewhere in North American, Steve Yzerman’s cell phone was ringing.

I spent the next 45 minutes glancing towards the tunnel that lead from the locker room.  No Getzlaf.

Perry is on the ice.  No Getzlaf.

For Ducks fans everywhere, this puts a question mark on the run to the playoffs.  Can the team make it without their number one center?

After having suffered through enough player injuries this season, this one seems to be the most concerning.  Losing the top scorer on the roster, and a physical beast like Getzlaf is the last thing you want to see happen when your team is in the thick of the playoff hunt.

The Ducks have already experienced life without Getzlaf this season when he suffered a leg laceration against San Jose in late Dec.  The Ducks were without his services for four games and went 1-3 during that stretch.  Upon his return the Ducks went on to win five straight.  Yes, Getzlaf can do that.

Not only are the Ducks stressing about a serious injury to Getzlaf, team Canada is worrying as well.

As if the Canadian Olympic team isn’t already stacked with Sidney Crosby and Joe Thornton at center, I’m sure they’d really appreciate it if there were also able to have the services of the talented Getzlaf.  Perry would probably appreciate having his fellow line mate there as well.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind it if Getzlaf got some rest for the next couple of weeks, but maybe that’s the American Ducks fan in me talking.

On the positive side, if he is seriously injured (x-rays are negative at this point), this might be the perfect time for it to happen in Ducks terms.  In Olympic terms, this is as bad as it gets.

UPDATE: Getzlaf listed day-to-day

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10 reasons hockey is better than football:

I’m not going to lie; the Super Bowl is the most football my brain will ingest throughout the entire season.  With that being said, I’ll probably focus a majority of my time watching commercials and the fourth quarter.  I’ve already admitted to being an Anaheim Ducks snob, now I’ll admit to being a hockey snob.  To me, there is no greater sport, and every Super Bowl Sunday as I sit and force hours of mind-numbing football into my subconscious, I find myself counting the ways that hockey is far and above superior over football (and every other sport for that matter).  Here are the top ten reasons that I think hockey is better than football, even on Super Bowl Sunday.

(as with any list that I do, I recommend checking this one out over at Bleacher Report for the photos included.  Ducks fans will enjoy the memories from #6).

1.) Non-stop action:

There are stretches of hockey that can go on and on.  At some point in the back of your mind you begin to think to yourself, “Wow, there haven’t been many whistles in this game.”  Rushes up and down the ice are often highlighted by intense scoring opportunities or close saves by the goaltender.

On the opposite end, football is categorized as one, 10 second play after another and each pass or rush is often flanked by the referee announcing another “penalty on the play”.  It seems easier to watch ESPN at the end of the night to catch the highlights and important plays in order to avoid all of the constant stoppages in play that make up a majority of football’s 3 hour programming.

2.) The Skates:

We’re talking hard hitting, blazing speed, and the ultimate in agility…all while on ice skates.  Sure, most people can run, jump, sprint, and dash along a field, but the rare few who can skate and do it as well as a hockey player are few and far between.  The ability to fake out defenders and fly past the opposition is a highlight in any sport, but when it’s done on two thin blades, the feat becomes magical.

Simply, the ability to skate and move along a sheet of ice with ease makes hockey an athletically superior sport before considering any other aspect of the game.

Add in the physicality of those hard hits you see in football and once again, hockey wins.

3.) The Players:

Hockey has superstars like Sidney Crosby, a young fresh-faced twenty something seen in commercials shooting pucks into his mother’s dryer as target practice.

Football has players self-absorbed enough to legally change their name to “Ocho Cinco”.

Seriously?

And you don’t want to get me started on the salaries and illegal actions of those so-called football role models either.

4.) Goaltending:

Likely one of the most physically demanding positions in all of sports, the goaltenders agility, conditioning, and mindset are above and beyond.  The last line of defense requires cat like reflects and a mental strength of the highest degree when facing the most talented offensive forces.  The goalie willingly stands in the way of blazing slap shots from a flying puck 20-30 times a night.

5.) Celebrations:

There are no end zone dances in hockey.

In hockey, goals are celebrated as a unit.  Assists are an important aspect of the game and the goal, and those assists are recognized and rewarded.  In hockey, 5 men huddle together to celebrate the puck in the back of the net. They glide along their respective benches to bump fists with the teammates who have been battling along with them all night.

Unlike football, the men on the ice don’t pound their fists to their chests to show an achievement; instead they pat their fellow teammate on the back to show appreciation for a great pass.

6.) The Unpredictable:

Because of the fast and constantly moving nature of hockey, the chances that you are going to see a move, or a play, that you’ve never seen before is quite likely.  As plays in hockey unfold, the unexpected movements, passes, and hits are all likely to shock the senses.

Show me a 50-yard pass in football, it’s likely I’ve seen it before.  I can’t say that football doesn’t have its unexpected moments, but I can say that every game of hockey shows me something I’ve never seen before.

7.) The Machinery:

Hockey has an official vehicle.  It’s large and has knobs, wheels, and flaps that most of us have no understanding of.  It uses hot water to repair icy surfaces. For many of us who love nothing more than seeing a fresh sheet of ice ready to begin a new period of play, the desire to simply ride on a Zamboni is definitely something to write home about.  Driving one would be the chance of a lifetime.

Football has lawn mowers, and some of the fields don’t even require that piece of machinery.

I have a lawn mower in my garage…they’re nothing special.

8.) The fighting:

So I’m not the biggest fan of the fighting in hockey (yes, I know, it’s unnatural not to like fighting in hockey), however, it’s an integral and unique part of the game that no other major league sport can offer.  Fighting is often a highlight, and for most fans, it’s a reason they began watching hockey in the first place.

Ultimately, fighting is the means by which teammates show their support and loyalties to one another.

In football, the most talked about companionship is between the quarterback and his model girlfriend.

9.) The Playoffs:

The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints will have participated in six playoff games combined, including the Super Bowl, when all is said and done.

In 2009, the Pittsburgh Penguins had to play six games just to get past the first round!

I realize that football has a much shorter season (just another reason why hockey is better than football), but the thrill and excitement of just one playoff game is limited in comparison to the intensity of a playoff round.  Where every game is important, and getting to a game 7 can make or break any team is always heart wrenching for any fan.

The true testament of a hockey player’s heart and determination is often discovered in the final months of a season when teams strive to win 16 of the hardest fought battles on the ice.  After 82 regular season games, every man has to dig deeper to find the strength to give 150 percent more than he has for an entire season in order to come out on top.

I don’t get that same feeling in the all of the hoopla of the Super Bowl.  It must be the halftime show that confuses me.

10.) The Trophies:

Let’s face it, hockey has the holy grail of all that is sports memorabilia.  If there is an iconic and recognizable artifact in all of sports it’s the Stanley Cup.  It’s uniqueness and stature makes for a stunning masterpiece at any event.  It has a charm and allure all on it’s own.  The engraving of names on the cup is a time-honored tradition dating to the very core of the cup’s existence.

Football’s bland and uninspired Vince Lombardi trophy is an honor, but not a treasure.  Unlike the Stanley Cup, there are a plethora of Lombardi trophies, making its aura tame in comparison.

While there is a monetary value that can be placed on the Tiffany & Co. made Lombardi trophy; the Stanley Cup is quite simply, priceless.

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“I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of hockey throughout my life, and I’m grateful for it.  What saddens me are those that will never experience a live game.” 

My best friend, Mini, said this to me the other day.  I was shocked to hear this from her.  She’s a die-hard Notre Dame Football fan, and overall sports enthusiast.  Hell, she even enjoys lame baseball (I really don’t like baseball).  

I was surprised.  Not because I didn’t think she liked hockey, but I didn’t know she liked it that much.  Upon telling her that I found her statement to be “profound” she said,  

“I might not show you how much I enjoy this game, but I really do.  Hockey is a great game.”

On Wednesday night, eight of my co-workers joined me to watch the Ducks beat the Red Wings 3-1.  For many of them it was their first or second hockey game, it was also their first time witnessing ME at a hockey game.  At one point a co-worker said to me, “I think it’s great that you love this game so much.  I can see why now.”  She saw right through me. To put it mildly, hockey is a HUGE part of my life.  It’s listed along side, eating, sleeping, breathing, and working.  Sure, I like to read, watch movies, play board games, spend time with my friends…but undoubtedly, during some point of the conversation, hockey will find a way in. 

“Did you see that goal?”

“Did you hear about the trade?”

“When is the next game?”

“What are you going to do over the summer without hockey?!”

I’m 100% positive that if someone were to describe me, the first thing they’d say is that I’m a hockey fanatic.  No question. In fact, I don’t know what they would say next. 

In addition to my co-workers, the game was John T Meyer’s first ever hockey game since becoming a Ducks fan. As a pre-game ritual, we enjoy watching warm-ups down by the glass.  I looked over at John as the players were taking the ice.  Judging by the smile on his face, he was experiencing the same feeling that every hockey fan gets before they fall in love with the sport.  It’s thrilling, it’s exciting, it’s fast, and it’s incredible. 

The Ducks did not disappoint.  They must have known they had some new fans in the audience looking to discover the magic of hockey. 

It takes time to appreciate all that hockey has to offer.  It takes time to develop “puck eyes”, to know the intricacies of the plays, to understand the penalties, the set ups, the movement.  I still ask questions, I’m still searching for answers.  

But I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t take much to fall in love with the game. 

At one point I told John that I could talk about hockey for hours.  I love telling people about the game, how it moves, flows, ebbs throughout the course of three periods.  I enjoy pointing out the little things, the things that not everyone notices.  More importantly, I love watching someone fall in love with the sport. 

Over the course of the past few months my dad has started attending games with me regularly.  He’s a big sports fan to begin with, but never cared much about hockey.  To say that he’s “into the game” would be an understatement.  He yells about missed calls, he jumps from his seats when the Ducks score, he calls me after shootouts and yells into the phone repeatedly, “WISNIEWSKI! WISNIEWSKI!”

I watched one of my co-workers get excited and frustrated all at the same time.  “I can’t find the puck!  I lost the puck!”  She was intrigued about the rules, the plays, and methodology.  Losing the puck just meant she missed something important to learning more about the game.  I was impressed. 

“…experience a live game.”  Sometimes, it’s as simple as that.

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The following letter was written by friend and fellow Ducks fan, Bryce Randle.  He is currently the managing editor of HockeyPlayer.com and GrowingUpHockeytheDVD.com.

Dear Jean Sebastian (JS) Giguere,

I want to personally thank you for being an Anaheim Duck, in my opinion the model of the Anaheim Ducks for the past several years.

I don’t live in Anaheim. I live about 650 miles away. I loved the duo of Kariya and Selanne, what took me away from my love of the Los Angeles Kings, but later got distracted while living in Michigan for a short time. However, your goaltending and your love of the game brought me back to the Anaheim Ducks in 2002. I still loved the Ducks during that short time away, but I didn’t follow the team. I still remember listening to NHL.com’s radio feed of your shutout win of 5-0 over your hero Mario Lemieux in December of 2002.

While going to the Cup Finals in 2003 I was serving my church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and was only allowed to check my e-mail once a week. My future brother in law taped your shutouts on the VCR and saved the tapes for me. My younger brothers sent me newspaper articles and scores through the mail and internet. Your shutout streak gave me inspiration to achieve difficult goals. Your face of disappointment gave me hope for the team. You taught me an important lesson; you can’t win them all, but you can enjoy the ride along the way.

Derek, just over 2 months old, and I watching Game 5 versus Ottawa in 2007.

My son was born March 30, 2007, a few weeks within your son’s birth. I remember reading what was happening with Maxime’s eyes and praying for your family, wondering what it would be like for me to go through the same with my newborn son. Following the playoffs this time was much easier than 2003 (and 2006 for that matter). I was so relieved when you got your job back from Bryz to take on Vancouver, to best Detroit and to finish the finals to win the Cup against Ottawa.

The past two years have been hard for me to watch. I’ve cheered you on every day when others doubted, I knew there was a warrior inside you. You deserve to be number one Giggy. I’m so sad to see you leave the franchise, but I am glad you will be able to rise to the top again. A part of me hopes you shut the Ducks out the next time we see you, as long as you don’t ruin anything for us.

Thank you, J.S. You’re the best.

We won’t ever forget what you did for us.

Sincerely,

Bryce Randle

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