VIDEO: Ducks Sink Sharks

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the San Jose Sharks in a rare Saturday night affair at Honda Center.

Just prior to the game Anaheim recalled Isac Lundestrom, who filled in as the second-line center since Sam Steel was out with a mid-body injury. Head Coach Dallas Eakins made a few more minor changes to the lineup. Nick Ritchie and Korbinian Holzer were both healthy scratches. Devin Shore was moved from the fourth line to first to cover Ritchie’s spot. Nicolas Deslauriers made his debut on the fourth line. Lastly, Michael Del Zotto drew in on defense.

The Ducks won the contest 3-1 and could have scored even a few more times. In the opening minutes of the game, Aaron Dell attempted a pass from behind the San Jose net, which Ondrej Kase intercepted and fired to Del Zotto. Dell tried to get back into the crease, but there was too much open net to cover to prevent Del Zotto from scoring.

Later in the period Deslauriers and Brenden Dillon dropped the gloves. Ducks held a 1-0 advantage after the first period.

The Sharks did get on the board in the second period with a goal from Logan Couture to tie the game. The Ducks immediately responded when Kase found a streaking Ryan Getzlaf who faked Dell out of his jockstrap and slid the puck past him for the goal. Late in the middle frame, Adam Henrique would break in on Dell and take a beautiful backhand shot that beat the goalie over the left shoulder. Anaheim held a 3-1 advantage after two periods.

Anaheim held a two-goal lead after the second period and that’s all they would need to win this contest. San Jose had two power-play chances and wasn’t able to convert. San Jose pulled their goalie in the final minutes, but wouldn’t score again in this game.

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Analysis:

The Ducks played a solid game from start to finish. An early goal by Del Zotto gave them momentum. They sustained a much better forecheck in this contest, especially in the second period when they scored twice and probably could have had a few more goals. Kase made a couple of great passes on Anaheim’s first two goals. Anaheim did take a couple of unnecessary penalties in the game, but despite giving San Jose four power-play attempts, the Ducks kept their power-play off the board. Overall a very strong performance as they hit the road for Detroit on Tuesday.

Stats/Team Notes:

Del Zotto scored his first goal as an Anaheim Duck.

The Ducks started the season 2-0-0 for the fourth time in franchise history.

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October 6th, 2019