Most of you know how superstitious I am when it comes to this game I love so dearly.

If you don’t, here’s a hint.  I am very particular about obeying the Hockey Gods, and for some reason on Tuesday night, I was punished.

Of course, for every Ducks fan out there, myself included, the 4-3 comeback over the Dallas stars might have been the game of the season.  I finally did get to see the conclusion of the game thanks to my trusted TiVo, but I’m sure it wasn’t the same as watching it live.

Picture this…

Sitting at Oggi’s, hot Bocce Ball pizza in the middle of the table, watching the first period of the game.  Not looking good.  I’m not surprised.

Down 2-0 when the bill comes.  Here we go again.

Walking around Disneyland for the Cast Member Holiday Party (hey, it only happens once a year – okay?)…

Beep Beep…

Scoring Update…3-0.  Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, it does.  Geez, it’s got to be colder out here than it is inside the Honda Center!

Beep Beep…

Scoring Update…3-1.  Sounds about right, Ducks finally get one through, at least they didn’t get shut out.  And hey!  Good for Joffrey Lupul! He’s even got his own mini streak going!

Beep Beep…40-minute wait for Indiana Jones?!  PASS

Scoring Update…3-2.

Text messaging goes crazy: “DAN SEXTON GETS HIS FIRST NHL GOAL!”  YAY! the Sex Monster…damn, I missed it!  Figures!  I knew this guy was going to start scoring goals soon, he’s been playing with a determination that the rest of the team should take note of!

Beep Beep…

Scoring Update…3-3

Text message: “SEXTON GETS HIS SECOND NHL GOAL!”

This kid must be having the night of his life.  Nine shots by the kid?  Now that’s the type of aggression we need from this team!  WHY AM I MISSING THIS GAME?!

Overtime…

Beep Beep…this time, I hesitate to look at the phone.  Is it possible that the Ducks have completed the 2009-2010 season miracle and came back from a three goal deficit to win the game?  Slowly, I look at the phone…

4-3 Ducks win on an overtime goal from Saku Koivu!

What is this?  Who is this team?

Second line scoring?  When did that happen?

Comebacks?   42 SHOTS ON GOAL?!

I can’t wait to see the replays of this one.  I’m going to be up all night!

So that was my night, not watching hockey, but hearing about the game of the season through updates and text messages on my phone.  Oh, and having a great night at the theme park with my friends.

I finally watched the game, and I must say…

It was like night and day from the first period to the final moments of overtime.  If the Ducks can find a way to play full games like they did in the third period…wow.

After the previous game I mentioned that the possibility of seeing the rookies working hard might motivate the rest of the team to get involved.  This is exactly what I’m talking about.  Sexton’s two goals did more for this team than many of us can fathom.

It showed a struggling group that games are not lost until the final horn sounds.  It gave them hope and energy.  For the first time in months, they showed EMOTION!

It showed that working hard, working as a unit, can and will pay off in the end.  Most importantly, the moral boost it provides to a team trying to figure themselves out is remarkable.

This kid might just be the spark plug the Ducks were searching for.

The Ducks have been living off of the point streaks and goals from their big boys up front.  Unfortunately, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf can’t do it all alone.  I know, I wish they could too, but it’s just not possible.  They’re going to need help from time to time from other lines, and if the Ducks have finally found the key in making that happen by adding an eager rookie to the line up, so be it.

Likewise, we saw this same magic happen last season when Bobby Ryan was finally given an everyday chance in the line-up.  Ryan’s puck moving ability and goal scoring nature caused his line mates to look like hockey gods in the waiting.  Heck, even George Parros was getting on the score sheet last season for more than dropping the gloves.

Sexton may be benefiting from the same genius hockey mind, and I’m sure he’s got very little to complain about playing alongside both Ryan and Koivu.

The bonus in having a fresh young player with passion and determination to stay in the big leagues is that Sexton will continue to work his tail off for the next 5 weeks while the Ducks eagerly await the return of Teemu Selanne.

If Sexton can continue on this path, he will make it very difficult for the Ducks to send him back to the minors.

If he is able to continue to shoot the puck so willingly, like taking nine shots on goal as he did against Dallas, he’s going to get goals. If he shows the Getzlaf’s of the game the benefit of shooting the puck is two goals a game, the Ducks might find the answer is simple in turning this season around.

The Ducks showed their fans that they are completely capable of dominating in a game.  We already know this; we’ve seen them dominate games already this season.  But the question remains, can they keep this momentum alive?  Can they find ways to continue their success?  Can they play a full 60 minutes against ANY opponent?  Will they settle into old habits, or will they use this as a lesson learned?

One thing is for sure – more games like the 3rd period from the Ducks as whole, and fans might find themselves enjoying victories more often.

Heck, I may even be there for the next one.