VIDEO: Wings Rally Late; Beat Ducks In Overtime
By Kyle Miller
ANAHEIM,Calif– It seems that the Ducks can’t catch a break on this homestand. Another game, another loss for Dallas Eakins‘ squad.
But you wouldn’t have been able to guess the result based on how this one started out. Anaheim began the game with a vicious forecheck that forced the Red Wings into a lot of careless passes and turnovers. As a result, the Ducks had a number of cracks against their former goaltender early on. However, Jonathan Bernier stood tall and thwarted the Anaheim attack.
Detroit pushed back in the second half of the period piling up some great chances against Ryan Miller, but to no avail. Tensions flared late in the period. A number of solid body checks, slashes, and shoves were doled out. Then things erupted late in the second when Nicolas Deslauriers and Givani Smith dropped the gloves. Deslauriers got the better of the Wings rookie, and both earned five for fighting. Despite the number of close chances in the first, neither team was able to light the lamp.
The Ducks began the second period nearly identical to the first. The only difference was that the club was able to break the scoreless tie less than a minute in. Jakob Silfverberg took advantage of an easy tap in on a loose puck that was stuck to the leg of the Detroit goalie.
Less than a minute later Josh Mahura launched a rocket from the blue line that found its way through a number of players and entered the back of the net. Which angered the Red Wings goaltender, who thought he had been interfered with by Nick Ritchie. The goal was challenged but upheld which gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead.
Anaheim would be given an opportunity to break this game open, but a strong penalty killing effort nullified the abysmal Anaheim power-play. Later on, the Wings would cut the deficit to one. Filip Hronek got all of a one-timer that darted past a sliding Miller and ended a shutout bid.
A resilient attack for the Ducks would restore the two-goal advantage just two minutes later. Ryan Getzlaf dished a magnificent saucer pass to a wide-open Cam Fowler, who buried the shot top-shelf. Momentum shifted back to the Wings after a deflection off the stick of Andreas Athanasiou found its way into the back of the net. The Ducks took the 3-2 lead into the final frame.
Support DucksNPucks and you could win game tickets, gift cards, and more!
Things remained relatively uneventful in the third, and the Ducks carried a one-goal cushion late into the period. But special teams errors would cause misfortune again for Anaheim. Two late penalties resulted in a 6-on-3 advantage for Detroit, and Dylan Larkin was able to salvage the game with a late goal that would force overtime.
Overtime
The 3-on-3 overtime was filled with chances on both ends of the ice, but Dennis Cholowski would be the hero for the Red Wings scoring a game-winner at the 2:04 mark in overtime. The Ducks earned a point but lost their fourth in a row.
Analysis
Despite the score, there were definitely some positives to take away from this game. An aggressive forecheck has been paying dividends for the Ducks. The team is forcing their opponents into a lot of errant passes, and turnovers in their own zone. As a result, Anaheim has been able to generate some quick offense, but the finishing touch still isn’t there yet.
Goaltending remains the backbone of this team. Without the outstanding play of their goalies, the Ducks anemic offense would be further exposed. If this team wants to turn this ship around, they need to provide a lot more support to Ryan Miller and John Gibson.
Jakob Silfverberg continues to rack up the points. The Ducks leading point scorer added another goal to his totals and has registered a point in five of his last six games.
News And Notes
Max Comtois was reassigned to San Diego prior to tonight’s game
Detroit has won its third game in a row
Anaheim is now 2-2-2 on its current homestand
Josh Mahura has scored his first career NHL goal Tuesday night
Next Up
The Ducks will end the homestand Thursday night against division rival San Jose.
Become A DucksNPucks Patron!
If you enjoy our website, then consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/DucksNPucks.
Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!
DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!
November 13th, 2019