CONNECT!
  • PODCAST
  • ITUNES

SIGN UP FOR
OUR NEWS LETTER

MAKE A DONATION

DONATE

VIDEO: Gibson Backstops Ducks To Victory

Photo: NHL

By Adam Tenenbaum

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the New York Islanders, Wednesday night at Honda for their first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Islanders and Ducks both came into the game with identical records of 1-1-1, good for 3 points. In net for the Islanders was Jaroslav Halak, and for the Ducks, John Gibson.

First Period:

In the first, the Ducks would get on the board first as Andrew Cogliano backhanded a feed from Ryan Getzlaf to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead, just 37 seconds into the game. Despite scoring early, the Ducks were greatly outplayed in the first period. Shots were 20 to 4 at one point late in the first. Brock Nelson would tie up the game off a deflection from defenseman, Scott Mayfield. Each team had a power play chance in the first but did not score. The Ducks escaped the first tied 1-1, despite being outshot 21-6 after the opening 20 minutes.

Second Period:

In the second, the Ducks would be down a man early as Cam Fowler was guilty of tripping just 33 seconds into the period. Fortunately for the Ducks, they were able to kill off the penalty and keep the game tied. Shortly after the penalty kill, the Ducks would get a power play of their own as Scott Mayfield went to the box for elbowing. Just like the Ducks power play in the first, they would come up empty yet again as the game remained tied at one. Later in the period, Rickard Rakell would break the tie, as he tips in a shot from Cam Fowler that goes past Halak to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead. Following the goal, Joshua Ho-Sang would go to the box for hooking, giving the Ducks their third power play chance. Once again, the Ducks would come up empty as they were unable to add on to their slim lead. Late in the period, the Islanders would get two power plays of their own. Like the Ducks, they would not score as the game was 2-1 at the end of two periods. Shots in the second were 16-11 in favor of Anaheim.

Third Period:

Early in the third, Jared Boll would be sent to the sin bin for slashing, giving New York their fifth power play of the night. Once again, the Ducks would kill it off, as the Islanders went 0 for 5 on the power play. Later in the period, Patrick Eaves, who was playing in his season debut, extended the Ducks lead to 3-1, as he beat Halak short side off a feed from Josh Manson. The two-goal lead did not last long as Brock Nelson would get his second of the game, to cut the lead to 3-2. Following the goal, the Ducks would go on the power play as Anthony Beauvillier was sent to the box for holding. The Ducks would score on the power play as Derek Grant tipped in a shot from the point to give the Ducks a 4-2 lead. But, the Islanders decided to challenge for offsides and were successful, as the goal was waved off, as the Ducks clung to their 3-2 lead. The Isles would pull their goalie in the last minute, but the Ducks were successful in holding off their attacks, as the Ducks would go on to defeat the Islanders 3-2 at Honda Center. Shots in the third were 9 to 8 in favor of New York.

Player of the Game:

This is an obvious one for me, as the Ducks do not win this game without the stellar play from netminder, John Gibson. Gibson mostly kept the Islanders off the board most of the first period as the Ducks were being largely outplayed. There’s no question that Gibson’s play in the first kept the Ducks in the game, and allowed them to regroup for the second. He was awarded the first star of the game, as heĀ stopped 39 of 41 shots in the victory.

Key Moment of the Game:

The key moment was when Patrick Eaves would give the Ducks a 3-1 lead midway through the third period. The goal ended up being the game-winner and was huge for the Ducks and Patrick. It gave the Ducks the win, but for Eaves, it was a goal in his first goal of the season after missing all of preseason and three regular seasonĀ games with a lower-body injury.

Up Next:

The Ducks travel to Colorado to play the Avalanche, Friday night at Pepsi Center. Puck drop at 6:00 PM PST.

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

October 12th, 2017


Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: #ducknspucks, Anaheim Ducks, cam fowler, john gibson, Josh Manson, patrick eaves, rickard rakell

PICK A TEAM

chigago blackhawks

Chi-Town Hawks

anaheim ducks

Ducks N Pucks

boston bruins

Bruin Strong

carolina hurricanes

Carolina Caniacs

colorado avalanche

Denver Avs

arizona coyotes

Coyotes Howl

Buffalo sabres

Sabres Den

columbus blue jackets

Blue Jacket Army

dallas stars

Shootout Stars

calgary flames

Fierce Flames

detroit red wings

Red Wings Town

new york islanders

Long island Pucks

minnesota wild

Rink Wild

edmonton oilers

Ice Oilers

florida panthers

Roaring Panthers

new york rangers

Fighting Rangers

nashville predators

Preds N Pucks

los angeles kings

LA Royalty

montreal canadiens

Hockey Habs

new jersey devils

Puck Devils

st.louis blues

Break Away Blues

san jose sharks

Bay Sharks

ottawa senators

Slap Shot Sens

philadelphia flyers

Furious Flyers

winnipeg jets

High Flying Jets

vancouver canucks

Canucks N Pucks

tampa bay lightning

Bay Bolts

pittsburgh

Pens N Pucks

toronto maple Leafs

Just Leafs

washington capitals

Capital Pucks