Ducks Gameday—Uncle Festerling

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 7:30 AM PST Comment 26 comments

St. Louis Blues (12-11-3, 11th in west) at Anaheim Ducks (15-10-3, t-4th in west)
Yeah, we used to have Kariya and McDonald, too.

Mixing Christopher Lloyd references, Uncle Festerling likes to be paired with "Great Scott!"

I've been wanting to write a post about who Brett Festerling is -- except I know hardly anything about the guy, Basically, he's a minimum-wage defenseman who appeared out of nowhere Iowa to play big minutes alongside future hall-of-famer Scott Niedermayer. Sound familiar? Three years ago I didn't know anything about who Francois Beauchemin was, either -- basically a minimum-wage defenseman who appeared out of nowhere Fedorov to play big minutes alongside Niedermayer.

But that's really what makes these out-of-nowhere players kind of great -- they're cheap as hell, they come in with very little expectation, and with proper veteran babysitting can appear to be very effective defenders (thanks largely to Scott's ability to cover their butts). While certainly Frenchie Beauchemin's contributions on the blueline are missed this year, his injury did allow a new version to step up to the big leagues in a similar role. From a defensive standpoint, Festerling = Beauchemin, or if you'd prefer, BF = FB.

Uncle Festerling's career is only nine games old so far, and in those 9 games he has played some 124 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey. Using Vic Ferrari's H2H 5on5 site for the nine games reveals that more than 113 of those minutes (91%) have been played with Scott "the babysitter" Niedermayer. Amazingly, in those 113 shared minutes, the Ducks have surrendered zero 5-on-5 goals (+3, -0); Festerling's only 'minus' (and his only assist, ironically) happened in the 11 minutes played apart from Scotty.

One other stat that caught my eye about Festerling -- the guy knows his limitations. In his nine games, he has yet to record a single shot-on-goal. He's playing it conservative, apparently, saving up that cannon for a special occasion.

Of course, the real hero in this story isn't really Beauchemin and it isn't really Festerling -- while both came into the league with adequate positiioning and bodychecking skills, it's really been Scott Niedermayer's smooth-skating ability to take control of the defensive zone that's enabled them to play over their heads, in a sense. It's also a hell of a salary cap strategy, especially for this year while the Ducks scrape the cap ceiling -- paying Scott Niedermayer $6.75 million to effectively be a top pairing allows for spending in other areas, and enables defenders like Hedican and Montador to drop down to more realistic roles.

So Ducks fans, I guess the question is for you -- how impressed have you been thus far by Festerling's rather safe and reliable play? And how much of that would you credit to Festerling himself, and how much credit goes to Scott Niedermayer? Regardless, it's always a nice surprise to find that somebody you've barely heard of* can step up and capably fill a vacancy -- no matter who's ultimately responsible for the results.

* To be fair, my Xbox 360 predicted that Uncle Festerling was a useful player, but I thought it was joking.

Prediction: Ducks 3, Blues 2. Goals by Getzlaf, Pahlsson, and Uncle Festerling's first career shot-on-goal goes in, too. For your Blues coverage, check out St. Louis Game Time.

Go Ducks.

0 recs | Comment 26 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Sorry to bust up your party, Earl

but the Blues have to break out of this West Coast jinx sooner or later, and it might as well be tonight.

Blues 2, Ducks 1

Boyes and Steen drive it home for the Note, while Pronger stings his old team.

BTW, for the sake of us old guys, why didn’t you use the Jackie Coogan Uncle Fester?? I loved Lloyd in that role, but Coogan rocked!!!

by tbell61 on Dec 10, 2008 8:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I’m actually kind of unfamiliar with the Addams Family in either of its iterations — it’s just a show I never really watched. Still, the name “Festerling” pretty much begs for that comparison, so I obliged with the first guy my google image search brought up.

Of course, one of my friends is trying to convince me that Festerling’s nickname should be “Federline”, but I don’t think I’m going down that path.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 8:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and if anyone's feeling "debatey" today

There’s a “Welcome to BoC” thread going on at SBN’s Golden State Warriors blog that’s turned into a discussion about race, fighting, violence, and essentially the double standard that exists between professional hockey and professional basketball.

There’s some ignorance there (and I’m not blaming anyone — if I had to talk about basketball I’m sure I’d mis-characterize it a ton), and some decent points. Feel free to join up and educate some b-ball fans about the role of violence in hockey, if you feel up for it. You might be helpful, as generally my basketball knowledge is piss-poor. And play nice — nobody’s really trying to be a dick or anything.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 9:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

And if I hope that none of these cats who get mad see u at a Warrior game, because they might have have to take a 5 min major. Haha my hockey people know wat that is.

That’s pretty funny.

What bothers me isn’t that he just played the race card, he did it while admitting he knew absolutely nothing about the sport. Warriors fans are crazy as hell and bound to make these sort of blanket statements*.

* I’ve never met a Warrior fan or held a conversation with one.

Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.

by Mr. Plank on Dec 10, 2008 9:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What bothers me isn’t that he just played the race card, he did it while admitting he knew absolutely nothing about the sport.

I don’t really mind it, I guess, but I don’t really know where he’s coming from. I’m on the flip-side — I don’t follow the NBA one bit, so I don’t know how their coverage is or appears racially skewed. Maybe it is a big problem.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Live by the sword, die by the sword?

The NBA embraces its’ “street/gangsta rep” for lack of a better phrase. And then they get mad when they’re treated that way? It’s called logic…

by Bleys on Dec 10, 2008 11:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps, but it’s not unfair to suggest that there’s racism behind a lot of perception. It surely exists.

I dunno — my issue is that they’re confusing race issues with the persistence of fighting in hockey — I’m not sure they’re very related at all. I can see why hockey seems to be basketball’s antithesis from a diversity standpoint, but I think it’s tough to use the loaded term “double standard” for two sports that realistically should have two sets of standards.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 11:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There are TWO very different sets of standards...

I’m coming at this from being 1.) an African-American, 2.) a hockey fan, first and foremost and 3.) a Warriors fan. (from my years living in the Bay Area)

Bleys is correct…much like the NFL, the NBA wants to have it both ways,IMO…they claim to decry the violence and all the stuff that goes along with it, but without the buzz that goes along with that lifestyle, I don’t think the NBA would have the same appeal to much of the fanbase that they do…that’s just my gut feeling…many of the players get off on being “rogue” in much the same way that many rappers get attention by living on the edge…it’s the statement they want to make, and you can make your own decision whether you think it’s appropriate or not…the race thing comes in because most NBA players are black and come from urban areas, and most NHL players are white and come from Canada and Europe…however, I don’t feel hockey players get a “pass” so much for their violence, because their is no shortage of critics of hockey fights, including myself (I understand it’s a part of the game, but it is not a reason I have loved hockey from when I was a boy, standing in the back row at the St. Louis Arena…I’m just not a fan of violence of any sort)…I do hate to see the race card played here, though…it’s an apples and oranges argument, IMO, the difference between hockey and basketball.

by tbell61 on Dec 10, 2008 1:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Very cool, tbell. I think this discussion needs a bit more perspective from those who follow both these sports, frankly.

You’re right about the important aspect of off-ice (or off-court) behavior. The NHL has kept its reputation there very clean, and I think that matters a ton.

And, for some disclosure, I’m half-Irish, half-Korean. I could be racist but there’s really no payoff. It’d be just me and my siblings against the world.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Awww

So close, on both sides. From This Post I thought you very closely resembled my cousin. He’s 32, I think you’re around that age, has a “general tallness”, and is half-Dutch, half-Japanese. It’s disappointing to find out that you are, in fact, two separate people. Though the fact that he doesn’t like hockey should have tipped me off.

by brokenyard on Dec 10, 2008 4:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

WTF is this "baseketball" you refer to?

Isn’t it a fake game turned into a movie by those South Park guys?

Personally, I prefer “Little Fester” over Uncle Festerling. Someone over at AD came up with it, I think it works.

I’ve been pretty impressed with Festerling, the main thing is, I never notice him. Which I think is always a good thing for a young d-man. Although I’m still hesitant as to his real abilities/ceiling. Last yr showed how sucky Beach became without his Hall of Fame safety net to back him up. I do like the fact that Fester isn’t afraid of using the body a bit, much like Beauch.

But are we comparing him to Beauch of last yr, or Beauch of the Cup year? Because those are 2 very different players. One is hard hitting and had a cannon of a shot, one was a sucky skater who always got caught out of position …

Don't bRuin your life. Make love with a Trojan

by Morbo on Dec 10, 2008 1:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

But are we comparing him to Beauch of last yr, or Beauch of the Cup year?

Neither one. I’m comparing him to the league-minimum Beauchemin that nobody ever heard of in the 2005-06 season.

After that year, he was more acclamated, better paid, and was a more recognizable name. But the Ducks (on their blueline at least) haven’t had that unknown big-minute player in quite a while, even when they had a healthy Beauchemin.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 1:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

so who's all going?

Should be a fun game, seeing the sold out and the cashwhore again. I really hope Pronger dumps Kariya on his ass a few times.

Lower bowl, directly behind the visiting goal. 20-something kid with long hair and a goatee in a black Ducks jersey, till I get my Getzlaf Hitmen jersey…

by Bleys on Dec 10, 2008 4:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not me, today. I don’t think I’m going to the game the rest of this month.

Have a blast, and yell something nice to Festerling.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 4:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hey Festerling!

That Niedermayer look suits you well!

by Bleys on Dec 10, 2008 4:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry, Bleys

I don’t think Kariya is playing tonight…still has his owie.

if you still have some affection for him, perhaps we could engineer a trade…you take Kariya back…you only have to give us back Pronger…I think that’s fair…who’s with me here???

by tbell61 on Dec 10, 2008 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No way, dude. I’ve seen what happens to franchises once Pronger leaves (Edmonton, St. Louis, Hartford). It’s the post-Pronger-period in Anaheim’s future that scares me as much as anything.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 5:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL!! That's true, Earl...

I hadn’t thought of it that way…it’s kind of like the Billy Goat curse the Cubs are operating under.

by tbell61 on Dec 10, 2008 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So. Much. Truth.

The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Dec 10, 2008 7:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We've been saying that for two and a half years...

Chris Pronger: Ruiner of Franchises

by Doogie2K on Dec 12, 2008 10:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also...

…I have to say, I’m majorly excited that a Ducks fan is ordering a Hitmen jersey. Just sayin’.

by Doogie2K on Dec 12, 2008 10:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Montador’s a beast. Sorry to lose him in FLA.

The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Dec 10, 2008 8:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, aside from Festerling, Montador is the next guy I gotta do a write-up on. In the last 22 games, Steve Montador is +21, -6 at even-strength. He’s playing lots with the Getzlaf line, it seems, and it’s working out quite well.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 8:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course the Blues first goal tonight

…came 5-on-5 with Scott Niedermayer and Brett Festerling on the ice. I sure know how to bust a good zero-goals-against streak by pointing it out. :)

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 10, 2008 10:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

either way

Glad to see a Ducks win. And a Perry “fight”. And Moen body slam Tkachuk

by Bleys on Dec 11, 2008 1:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hell yes it is (primarily the Ducks win part). Had the Ducks lost, I would have been a bit more worried about picking up points tonight in San Jose. Now, I’m pretty comfortable with any outcome (because hey, it’s regular season, and I’m not a stressy guy).

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 11, 2008 6:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

One of the more revealing quotes comes from former Ducks and current...

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL 7 days ago 5 comments | 0 recs

is that sammy phals....?...o wait....earl are u pissed?

I posted this to prove there was a game yesterday haha

go ducks!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL 7 days ago 10 comments | 0 recs

I want to send this to all ducks players and coaches....the monkey pretty much says it all...

this gaurantees i will be so drunk next thursday at the ducks kings-game that I will forget what I witness...my plan is to just hoot and holler at hot LA chics and spend quality family time with my brotha....my moms would be so proud

I mean after the ducks see this photo I send them...I have to imagine they are gonna hate themselves and go on a tear...at least thats what im going for..he kinda looks like the rally monkey anyways maybe it will work

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL 12 days ago 7 comments | 0 recs

After the recent revelation that Zetterberg and Datsyuk become two-bit floozies for the betterment...

by Bettman's Nightmare 13 days ago 2 comments | 0 recs

I decided to be an asshole at The Verizon Center in Washington DC when they were playing the Coyotes. I was going to add "P.S. Ovechkin is overrated" but my girlfriend talked me out of it.

by JohnQPhats 14 days ago 11 comments | 0 recs

Does anyone else think this is hilarious?

by cmatthew35 25 days ago 5 comments | 0 recs

Pacific Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
San Jose Fear The Fin	59	39	11	9	87
Phoenix Five For Howling	60	36	19	5	77
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	59	36	20	3	75
Dallas Defending Big D	58	26	21	11	63
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	59	28	24	7	63