VIDEO: Ducks Win Wild Game Over Winnipeg

Photo: Canadien Press

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks returned to Honda Center for a long homestand, which started against the Winnipeg Jets. The Ducks were looking to bounce back after a rough road trip. John Gibson was in net against Connor Hellebuyck. Josh Mahura was recalled and played as Josh Manson, Hampus Lindholm, and Brendan Guhle were all out of the lineup with various injuries. Guhle was reassigned to San Diego to make room on the roster for Mahura.

The scoring started early and often in this contest that saw 11 total goals. The Jets got on the board in the opening minute when Nikolaj Ehlers sent one past Gibson. The Ducks would answer in the middle of the period when Cam Fowler would make a nice shot that beat Hellebuyck in the top far corner of the net. The Jets would get another goal in the period by Blake Wheeler and would hold a 2-1 end at the end of the first.

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In the second period, the Ducks would erupt for four goals. In the opening minute, the Ducks would win the draw and Ryan Getzlaf would shoot one past Hellebuyck’s glove for the tying score. A few minutes later Adam Henrique would redirect a Jakob Silfverberg point shot for the go-ahead goal. Ehlers would respond for the Jets with his second of the game and the teams were tied at three.

About a minute later Mahura would make a stretch pass finding Troy Terry in behind the Jets defense. Terry took a low shot that sneaked past Hellebuyck to give Anaheim a 4-3 lead. Derek Grant would then add another goal in the period on a play that had to be reviewed. Nicolas Deslauriers took a shot that would eventually hit Grant and bounce into the back of the net. Grant did not punch or kick the puck, so the play stood, as it should have. Ducks led 5-3 going into the final period.

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Bryan Little would score a few minutes into the third period to make it a one-goal game again. The game remained close until the final minutes. Carter Rowney would get a partial breakaway and go five-hole beating Laurent Brossoit, who had come in relief for Hellebuyck. The Jets would pull Brossoit for the extra skater and Rowney would score again into the empty net to give Anaheim a 7-4 win.

Analysis:

With the average offensive numbers both teams have put up this season, this was not the type of game many expected. The teams traded chances left and right in this game. The second period is where the Ducks took full advantage scoring almost at will. There were a total of 36 giveaways in this contest, which the Ducks had a total of 21. The Jets were able to capitalize on some of the turnovers, but Gibson played good enough for Anaheim to win. But the player of the game for Anaheim was easily Mahura, who was called up and assisted on three of the Ducks goals.

Team Stats/News:

Mahura had three assists in the game, which tied a club rookie record for points and assists in a game by a defenseman.

Ryan Getzlaf has a goal in each of his last three games.

Carter Rowney had his first career multi-goal game.

Fowler’s goal put him past Scott Niedermayer (60) for the all-time franchise lead in goals by defensemen.

Brendan Guhle was reassigned to San Diego.

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October 30th, 2019