VIDEO: Ducks Losing Streak Hits 11 In Winnipeg

Photo: AP

By Stephanie Mazzuca

The Anaheim Ducks kicked off their road trip against the Winnipeg Jets, with John Gibson (.920 SV%) in goal against Connor Hellebuyck (.908 SV%)

Period 1

Anaheim was off to a strong start on their first game of this road trip when Brian Gibbons (0-3-3) scored after 2 minutes of play. He was assisted by Brandon Montour (5-16-21) and Carter Rowney (3-6-9). 3 minutes later, Jake Dotchin (0-1-1) was called for hooking against Brandon Tanev (10-8-18), giving the Jets their first power play of the night. Luckily they were unable to convert. The next few minutes were strong for the Ducks; they displayed the speed and clean zone entries that have been missing for much of this season. Anaheim had a chance to capitalize on their momentum when Adam Lowry (7-6-13) received a hooking penalty against Andrew Cogliano (2-8-10). Unfortunately, the Ducks were unable to generate decent offensive chances on the power play. In the final five minutes of the period, Rickard Rakell (5-16-21) found the back of the net following a skillful play by Daniel Sprong (6-5-11) and Carter Rowney (3-6-9). This brought the score to 2-0. Nick Ritchie (6-12-18) was then penalized for holding against Andrew Copp (3-5-8), and the Jets were able to score with their man advantage. The first period ended at a score of 2-1, with 7 shots on goal for the Ducks and 11 for the Jets.

Period 2

Two minutes into the second period, Patrick Laine (24-8-32) was left open as the Ducks defense pinched to the other side of the zone. He scored to tie the game at 2-2. Josh Manson (3-7-10) received a high-sticking penalty against Mark Scheifele (24-31-55) soon afterward, sending Winnipeg on the power play. Anaheim’s penalty-killing unit had a strong performance and was actually able to generate a short-handed opportunity. For the next few minutes, the Ducks were able to disrupt several of the Jets’ zone entries and control puck possession. Brendan Lemieux (3-1-4) was then penalized for holding against Andrew Cogliano (2-8-10) at the 9-minute mark. The Ducks set up a dangerous scoring chance for Nick Ritchie (6-12-18), but he was tied up in front of the net at the moment of truth. Anaheim couldn’t convert on their second power play of the night. With 4 minutes remaining in the period, Andrew Cogliano squeezed the puck between goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (.908 SV%) and the post to score. He was assisted by Daniel Sprong (6-5-11) and Carter Rowney (3-6-9). At the end of the third period, the Ducks were leading at 3-2 with 19 shots on goal against the Jets’ 22 shots on goal.

Period 3

Winnipeg made a strong offensive push to start the third period, forcing John Gibson to make several key saves. Ryan Kesler (4-2-6) and Brendan Lemieux (3-1-4) then got into a scuffle in front of the bench following a slash by Keifer Sherwood (5-5-10). Both players were issued roughing penalties, resulting in 2 minutes of 4-on-4 hockey. Neither team was able to score. With 6 minutes remaining in the period, Ben Chiarot’s (3-4-7) shot from the blue line went past John Gibson to tie the game at 3-3. Both teams made a strong offensive push in the final minutes but couldn’t score. Regulation ended at 3-3, with 27 total shots on goal for both teams.

Overtime

The Ducks displayed their typical overtime strategy of careful, deliberate puck possession. Cam Fowler (3-7-10) led a dangerous 2-on-1 rush but Connor Hellebuyck was able to make the save. The Jets then rushed the other way but John Gibson stood tall. Winnipeg fumbled the puck in their offensive zone and Jakob Silfverberg (12-7-19) had a breakaway opportunity that he couldn’t convert. Daniel Sprong (6-5-11) then collided with John Gibson following an aggressive Jets rush, but Gibson looked uninjured and stayed in net. Winnipeg then had a 2-on-1 opportunity with less than 1 minute left in overtime. John Gibson made 3 consecutive saves and fell to the ice, allowing Bryan Little (9-16-25) to score. The Jets extended Anaheim’s losing streak to a franchise-worst 11 games.

Analysis

Anaheim followed their familiar pattern of coming out strong in the first period and watching their lead evaporate soon afterward, but Andrew Cogliano’s goal allowed them to enter the final period ahead. Carter Rowney had a career night by contributing to 3 Ducks’ goals. Though the Ducks showed a significant improvement in this game, they were unable to withstand Winnipeg’s talented roster. Tonight’s loss extends Anaheim’s losing streak to 11 games.

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January 14th, 2019