Well, it could have ended worse. I was watching the Boston series and witnessed, I believe the worse way to lose a playoff series. It was Overtime, sudden death, and there was about just over a minute left in 1st OT. The Canes were making one last drive over to the Boston zone when the puck was shot to the Goalie Tim Thomas, and just as soon as he blocked the shot, it was followed up by another Cane that tipped it in to the net. Before anyone could realized what had happened, Tim Thomas left the net so fast, it looked like the puck had not even crossed the line. The puck did pass the line, and within the blink of an eye it was over.
In comparison, we saw our fate coming. The Wings score a sloppy puck in our net, but we at least had a full two minutes left to score. We were tied at 3 games a piece, and with a tie score of 3-3, and had two minutes to make a difference. Ducks lost, but at least we went down fighting. I don’t like to sell out like everyone else and say we didn’t belong there, so I’ll just say that the Wings were the better team that day. So rather than rant and rave and cry over spilled milk, I want to make a list of the ten crucial moments from the now, old season before turning the page and looking forward to the off season, and then to 2009-2010 Olympic season.
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10 Key Moments of 2008-2009
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10. Seleanne Cuts Leg- When Teemu went down to injury, it seemed to trigger the beginning of hard times for this Duck team. It was a tough period because finding some to fill in Teemu’s shoes would prove to be a tough task. It would also be a tough time for our power play unit, as most of their success came at the hands of Teemu. The positives? Andrew Ebbet step forward and displayed the speed that garnered him success and open the eyes of Ducks management securing him a spot on the second line for the remainder of the season.
9. Beauch Tears ACL/ Beauch Returns- When Frankie went down to injury, I knew it would be a huge blow to our defense, but I also knew that it would create some room for Bobby Ryan to come up and show his stuff. Bobby never backed down and his play seem to improve with each game he played. The only other bright side to Frankie’s injury, was his miraculous return during the playoffs. Before it happened, people only talked about it like a pipe dream. As soon as he made his successful return, his presence was immediately felt with some experts comparing his return to a huge pick up at the trade deadline.
8. Road to the Playoffs/Making the Playoffs- Probably the most exciting last 2 weeks I’ve seen in a while (Not counting the 2007 Cup win). There was a time when the Ducks were in 12Th place and already looking forward to next season. I was in Vancouver during the last few days of the trade deadline, and was hearing all kinds of rumors…Scott was being traded, Pronger was going to Boston in principle, Carlyle was being fired, etc. Then Bob Murry (new GM) said he would wait and see if we were still in “it” before making any kind of decision. Well, we stayed in “it” and made the playoffs winning almost every single remaining game of the last two weeks in what was one of the more pushes to make the playoffs. It came down to 1 point, that would have made our first round far less exhausting. (ironically, our last playoff game came down to 1 point we didn’t get).
7. Bobby Ryan Scores First Blood vs. Sharks- In what looks similar to the famous Bobby Orr pic, Ryan scores the first goal in a game against the San Jose Sharks by knocking in his own rebound, thus firing up the Ducks for the remainder of the series.
6. Getz and Big Joe “Go Time”/Beating The Sharks- Two of the biggest most dominant Centers in the sport dropped the gloves and go at it two seconds into game 6 of the Quarter finals. The two had a history going into the game as Big Joe was being criticized in the media for not showing up to play in the playoffs. After rejecting Joe’s challenge in game 5, Getzlaf came out and agreed to dance in what proved to be a tussle that both the Ducks and Thorton needed for morale reasons.
5. Jiggys Fathers Death- This was a tragic event in Jiggy’s life and one that affected him, no doubt. It was also the beginning of the end for Jiggy’s starting job as goalie. The Passing of a parent is a traumatic event, and it isn’t fair to judge Jiggy’s performance because for all we know, he may bounce back and be in top form for the 2009-2010 NHL season. What I do know, is that after his father died, the Jiggy we all knew from previous years, was no longer there.
4. Bobby Ryan Hat Trick- Nothing much to say other than Dang! It sure looked sweet!
3. Brian Burke Leaves- This was something we all knew was going to happen, and still could not believe when it did. It was so bitter sweet to see Burke go, but at least he brought a cup to Anaheim. As far as I am concerned the Brian Burke experiment was a success! Not only are we Stanley Cup Champions, but Burke created a brand of tough, hard nosed hockey from days of old, and everyone now refers to it as Ducks Hockey.
2. The Trades- Everyone in Anaheim was crying fowl (clever) on March 3rd when Bob Murray pulled the trigger and traded away 6 popular players at the trade deadline. It seemed like Murray was rebuilding, giving up on the 2008-2009 season. Little did everyone know that Bob “I’m ready to jump off the balcony” Murray had a plan! All season long he said that we have a load of talent on the team, but something wasn’t clicking. well apparently that something was Kunitz, Sammy, Montador, Huskins, Moen (I need more $$$), and Morrison. Bob cut the cord (i like saying that a lot) and the moves revitalized a stagnant team, thus propelling them into the playoffs. Bob Murry not only proved he was the right man for the job, but he could get just as crazy as Burke.
1. Hiller- Its seems like all rookie goalies should go to Anaheim. Every season, it seems a rookie comes up, something happens, and then they make a name for themselves in the Playoffs. With all the drama the Ducks as a team had all season long and then when Jiggy had his personal crisis, it seems the only stability the team has was in the net. Mike Babcock said, “without Hiller, the Wings win the series in 5.” Experts have said, without Hiller, we never would have made it past San Jose. And without a doubt, without Hiller, we never would have made it INTO the playoffs. Hiller gave the Ducks a chance to win every time he was in goal. And ultimately that’s all the Ducks needed; just a chance to win, because all season long anything was possible with this team.
Final thoughts: The Anaheim Ducks that started the 08-09 season are long gone. The Ducks team that exists now got a taste of success that should translate to bigger and better things for sure. Before the trade deadline there were 14 UFA’s, now there are only 7. The Ducks have more wiggle room to re-sign most of the 7. Right now is that time when the Duck players take a breather and reflect on the season. The Ducks should be proud of what was accomplished on the job. Most NHL experts said a team has never traded away half of its starters and still be able to contend in the playoffs, let along make the playoffs. The Ducks did. I believe in Bob Murray and feel the Ducks have a sound blue print to work with now. I think Murray will shock the world with an off season trade, that will be huge for our team, as well as revitalize another. I think 2009-2010 will be another magical season. what do you think? See you all in October!
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Amongst the excitement of have Koivu, Boynton, Lupul and others join the Ducks I have not had time to sit back and think about where our favorite players for the past years have gone. Then Todd Marchant was brought back. Ever since that day I have been waiting to hear some sort of news on Rob Niedermayer.
