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VIDEO: Ducks Strike Oil

Photo: Associated Press, Jae C. Hong

By Jameson Bradley

Both the Anaheim Ducks and the Edmonton Oilers rolled into Honda Center on Black Friday having had disappointing seasons so far. With Anaheim on a roller coaster of wins and losses and Edmonton having just fired their coach both teams probably expected to be thankful for different things this Thanksgiving. But the scene was set and the annual afternoon Black Friday game was one that would decide some rankings. With Edmonton only a point behind Anaheim in the standings the outcome would have a big impact. Although it is very early in the season, both teams need to get all the points they can get, when they can get them.

First Period

The Ducks and the Oilers traded some chances but honestly, both teams seemed like they just woke up from their post-Thanksgiving nap. They both seemed flat footed and continued to make lazy or incomplete passes. Ryan Getzlaf got a great look a couple minutes in (due to the lack of urgency on both sides) but couldn’t get the puck past Mikko Koskinen. He had plenty of time in front of the net, but Koskinen seemed to cover up any opening Getzlaf could think of. Koskinen and John Gibson both made some incredible saves to keep the game at 0-0. Nick Ritchie got a great chance in front of the net but redirected the puck right to the inside of the post only to watch it bounce out. The Ducks seemed to control the puck better, but the Oilers had their fair share of chances.

Second Period

The second period seemed to get some more energy from both sides. The Oilers went immediately on the power play to start the period. They had some awesome chances but Gibson kept the sheet clean. Later on, in the period Jakob Silfverberg had an amazing bid to put the Ducks up when he caught Koskinen out of position on the side of the net. He wasn’t able to get the puck in, but neither was Adam Henrique who missed his opportunity skating by an empty net. The period ended 0-0.

Third Period

Both teams seemed to finally realize they were playing for some points and came out of the gates strong in the third. Everyone in Honda Center thought the scored had changed when Henrique seemed to slip one through. It was ultimately ruled that the puck didn’t cross the line completely so the game stayed 0-0. The Oilers would go up on a power play opportunity about halfway through. During the man-advantage, there was a no call as Andrew Cogliano who had his stick held in the offensive zone. Already a man down the Ducks were just left with three in their defensive zone. A couple nice passes and the Oilers finally broke through for a goal from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Fans and players alike seemed frustrated, but the Ducks kept pushing. The Ducks couldn’t seem to get any shots through for the rest of the period. With about 1:30 left in the period Anaheim pulled their goalie. After a couple of shots that didn’t seem to travel more than 5 feet because they kept getting blocked, the Ducks finally got a shot through that found some traffic in front. After a scramble, it landed right on Ritchie’s stick and this time he didn’t mess up. With 16 seconds left in the game, the Ducks tied it up 1-1.

Overtime

The overtime period started with a face-off win by Getzlaf, a back pass to Brandon Montour, and a beautiful stretch pass to Rickard Rakell. He took the puck at the blueline and pushed through to get a chance in front and made the Oilers pay on a small rebound that Koskinen gave him and a wide open five-hole to win the game 2-1.

Analysis

What a game. Starting as one of the most boring games I’ve ever seen, it ended with an incredible final minute. Even though the Ducks had some serious trouble scoring, a win is a win. They need their players to step up and start scoring. Fortunately, the Oilers seemed to have the same problem today so it turned in their favor. Gibson had some great saves, but he didn’t seem to need to bail them out as much as he does on a regular basis. Hopefully, they can take the W with a grain of salt and learn what they can do better in the next game. You’re not going to be able to score in the last 30 seconds every game, but thankfully they could in this one.

Game Stats/Notes

Nick Ritchie scored his first goal of the season.

Rickard Rakell‘s game-winning goal was his 100th regular season goal.

The two Anaheim goals were scored just 31 seconds apart.

For the 9th time in 15 home games, the Ducks have gone to overtime and/or a shootout.

Roster Moves:

Andy Welinski was reassigned to San Diego.

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November 23rd, 2018

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