VIDEO: Ducks Double Up Columbus

Photo: Kyusung Gong, AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks were back in action for the first time after the NHL Trade Deadline against the Columbus Blue Jackets. John Gibson returned to the next to square off against Sergei Bobrovsky. Ryan Getzlaf did not play due to illness and Derek Grant played in his place.

First Period

Halfway through the period and Columbus started the scoring on a goal by Sonny Milano. The Ducks answered back in less than a minute when Cam Fowler flung the puck at a severe angle toward Corey Perry, who tried to redirect it past Bobrovsky. The puck was deflected out front to red-hot Rickard Rakell, who backhanded it high over Bobrovsky’s shoulder for the tying score. The teams remained tied after the first period.

Second Period

In the middle of this period, John Manson was called was called for interference. While shorthanded Artemi Panarin missed handled a pass and left the puck behind him, which Cogliano picked up for a clean breakaway. Cogliano moved in and shot five-hole for the score giving the Ducks a 2-1 lead. As the penalty expired, Manson came out of the box and got his own breakaway. He got the memo as he too went five-hole for a goal and suddenly the Ducks were up 3-1. Moments later tempers flared as a frustrated Pierre-Luc Dubois went at Coligano. All ten players go involved and Columbus ended up getting a power play, which they didn’t convert. The highlight of the melee was seeing Cam Fowler trying to get involved. He came flying into the scrum and landed missing everyone. Ducks had a 3-1 lead after two periods.

Third Period

The Ducks held Columbus down for a majority of the period. Cam Fowler did score on a slap shot to give Anaheim a 4-1 lead. Columbus got one back from Zach Werenkski and pulled their goalie, but it wasn’t enough. The Ducks 4-2.

Analysis

The Ducks put forth a solid effort tonight without their captain Getzlaf, who was scratched last minute. Anaheim killed off all of the Columbus power playoffs and scored a shorthanded goal. Rakell remained hot and the Ducks got two goals from their defense. The newcomers Jason Chimera and Chris Kelly were on the fourth line and both generated a scoring chance. The Ducks will face Chicago for an early contest on Sunday starting at 1 PM PT.

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March 3rd, 2018