Ducks Gameday -- Under the weather

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 10:39 AM PST

Phoenix Coyotes (10-6-0, 20 pts) at Anaheim Ducks (5-7-2, 12 pts), 7 pm
Get your team's symptoms diagnosed at Anaheim Calling and Five For Howling.

Cartoon inspired by my own flu-like symptoms.

I had written before about the rarity of Anaheim and Saturday home games -- of the 192 games at the Honda Center over the last four seasons (including playoffs), only 6 had ever occurred on a Saturday night. That's changing fast, though -- the Ducks will add 6 Saturday home games this season before Christmas, tonight being the fourth.

And so far, Saturdays at Honda Center have solidly sucked -- Ducks have lost all three games to western opponents and have been outscored 15-5. Plus it's already a jam-packed schedule: why is it necessary for the NHL to cram in 13 games today (more than anybody can possibly follow) followed by just 2 tomorrow? So yeah, put me in the "give me back Sundays" crowd, though a Saturday night Ducks victory might help change my mind.

Maybe there is a tide turning a bit; the Ducks have gone 2-1-1 over their last four games, and even though their wins both came against severely crippled lineups (Vancouver and Nashville), there has been a stronger sense of competency to Ducks hockey. Plus the top lines are outscoring -- over the last four games, the top-six forwards have combined 13 goals and are each +3 or better. Short-term illusion? We shall find out.

I suppose I can take this as a sign of positivity, though -- dentistry helped the Ducks last year, at least:

Center Todd Marchant missed practice in order to undergo some dental work.

Prediction: The Wizard James Wisniewski returns from his two-game suspension for demolishing Shane Doan; punches ensue.

Go Ducks.

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Also, not really related, but how is it that the L.A. Kings play an especially early game today, at a time when no other NHL team is playing, and then not televise it at all? Seems a golden opportunity for Anze to impress some east-coast eyes, doesn’t it?

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 10:55 AM PST reply actions

screw the east coast. I would’ve liked to watch this game though. I will be resting all day with flu like symptoms as well. Its not H1N1, its just the flu, my daughter had it and passed it on to me. Damn public schools.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 11:07 AM PST up reply actions

If you wanna watch it, try checking out http://channelsurfing.net/

I deliver high-quality H2O

by The Waterboy on Nov 7, 2009 11:14 AM PST up reply actions

thanks man.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 11:22 AM PST up reply actions

You too? Damn, I usually spend more time faking being sick than actually being sick. That’s usually a lot more fun.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 11:29 AM PST up reply actions

Well, it’s simple actually; because the Kings suck.
The inevitable will happen, and Ryan Smyth will get injured, which means Anze will go back to being a cusp player. Everyone I hear is saying Anze this, Anze that, Smyth is the reason they are off to such a hot start. But, as I said, the walls will eventually crumble, just how it does for the Clippers. Start the season with such hope and promise but the suckiness of the franchise as a whole will overcome this perplexity.

I deliver high-quality H2O

by The Waterboy on Nov 7, 2009 11:03 AM PST reply actions

Everyone I hear is saying Anze this, Anze that, Smyth is the reason they are off to such a hot start.

Heh, that’s what I’ve been telling my Red Wings buddy, mostly just to egg him on. He hates Smyth, and even if Smytty had 100 points, he’d still find a way to say it was a bad move for the Kings to make.

But don’t mind my Red Wings buddy, he’s getting his foot stuck in his mouth a lot lately (and humorously, will keep insisting that somehow he’s right). Yesterday I had to correct his allegation that somehow the Sharks don’t grow their own talent.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 11:34 AM PST up reply actions

why is it necessary for the NHL to cram in 13 games today (more than anybody can possibly follow) followed by just 2 tomorrow?

Ratings? They’d rather compete with college football than with pro football, perhaps? Just a thought.

Lol, just kidding. This post was a complete lie.

by brokenyard on Nov 7, 2009 12:58 PM PST reply actions

I suppose — but every hockey fan can only have their eyes mainly on their own games — seems by aligning so many games in the same slot, you lose some ratings from other fans that might tune in.

I’m not against there being games on Saturday; I don’t think there’s much value in having almost all of them on that day.

Not to mention the fantasy conundrum — much easier when they spread games more evenly.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 1:01 PM PST up reply actions

I’d watch tonight’s Sharks-Pens game, for example, if not for overlapping schedules.

This will be the Ducks’ 15th game of the year, and the 9th time it’s happened on the same day (usually same slot) as a Kings game. Now considering the results, I guess it’s OK that it’s tough for a Kings fan to keep tabs on the Ducks, but I don’t really know what’s to be gained by making fans have to opt one way or the other. Seems in other years I had a much easier time watching multiple BoC teams.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 1:06 PM PST up reply actions

Center Todd Marchant missed practice in order to undergo some dental work.

I read this yesterday, but I didn’t connect it with the positive spin until you reminded us! Awesome!!!

GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Nov 7, 2009 1:04 PM PST reply actions

Teemuuuuuuuuu!

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 7:15 PM PST reply actions

another PP goal. He always seems to get a lot of those.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 7:48 PM PST up reply actions

If my math is good, since Teemu’s return to Anaheim he’s scored 153 goals, regular season + playoffs.

76 of them have come on the man-advantage. Very nearly half.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 8:06 PM PST up reply actions

sounds about right. How you feeling? I slept all day, feeling better though.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 8:15 PM PST up reply actions

I’m doing a bit better, yeah, I slept a bunch today.

I think I’m going to make it.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions

I’m sorry, did they say the anthem singer’s name was “Dorcus?”

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Nov 7, 2009 8:16 PM PST reply actions

Definitely. I totally thought I misheard, then they went ahead and spelled it out for her, too.

Brave, brave woman, that Dorcus.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 8:18 PM PST up reply actions

Also, did Saku just volunteer that Teemu was a capable PKer? Those wacky Finns.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 8:24 PM PST up reply actions

B-Ry! Wham-o!

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 8:26 PM PST reply actions

What a shot

Lol, just kidding. This post was a complete lie.

by brokenyard on Nov 7, 2009 8:26 PM PST reply actions

And what a goddamn goal by Perry — jeezus.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 8:33 PM PST up reply actions

I think that’s Wisniewski’s tenth assist in ten games — get that guy on a Norris ballot.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 8:34 PM PST up reply actions

what a beauty indeed.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions

Brownie! I’m starting to like this Saturday night thing now.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 9:02 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, Brown is a fun player to watch.

Lol, just kidding. This post was a complete lie.

by brokenyard on Nov 7, 2009 9:28 PM PST up reply actions

oh shit

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 9:08 PM PST reply actions

oh shit is right, dude. What is happening in this third period?

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 9:23 PM PST up reply actions

Getzlaf makes one terrible pass, and it snowballs from there. C’mon, clock.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 9:30 PM PST up reply actions

Hrmph — two quick goals-against and I’m not feeling so hot suddenly. C’mon, Ducks.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 9:09 PM PST reply actions

this game got awfully nerve racking. a two goal lead isnt comfortable enough.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 9:15 PM PST up reply actions

Dammit.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 9:22 PM PST up reply actions

I didn’t buy enough alcohol for this.

Lol, just kidding. This post was a complete lie.

by brokenyard on Nov 7, 2009 9:25 PM PST up reply actions

I hate running out, once you’ve started.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 9:29 PM PST up reply actions

Wheeeeeeeewwwwwwwww.

They made it.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 9:33 PM PST reply actions

barely.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 9:35 PM PST up reply actions

And exhale.

Lol, just kidding. This post was a complete lie.

by brokenyard on Nov 7, 2009 9:33 PM PST reply actions

And hey, the Kings, Stars, and ’Yotes got regulation losses today.

San Jose? Not so far.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 7, 2009 9:37 PM PST up reply actions

no shit. I was thinking to myself, dont fucking blow this guys, we need the points BAD.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 7, 2009 9:37 PM PST up reply actions

Feeling a full step better today — thank goodness the Ducks held on, or I’d be bedridden today for sure.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 8, 2009 11:52 AM PST reply actions

Is anyone watching the end of Blues @ Thrashers? That second ATL goal was crazy. Dude scored from behind the blueline.

by g r a c e on Nov 8, 2009 4:28 PM PST reply actions

I was watching intently, for fantasy purposes. That was insane — good on Atlanta from stealing a standings point from a western team.

And I got what I needed, from a fantasy perspective, but it was down to the wire.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 8, 2009 5:20 PM PST up reply actions

Hedberg one of your goalies, then? Or is Conklin one of your opponent’s goalies?

I tuned in to the end to root for Atlanta, too. It’s nice to stay ahead of another team in the standings, even if it’s 1) temporary, and 2) by virtue of a tiebreaker. The picture in the Pacific is still depressing, but it’s nowhere as bleak as it was before the Vancouver game. If we win our games in hand, we’re within striking distance of the LA/Phoenix/Dallas cluster. Of course, that’s a tall order for this road trip, going up against some good teams, but still, a much better outlook than a couple of weeks ago. Hope springs eternal.

by g r a c e on Nov 8, 2009 5:59 PM PST up reply actions

It was a bizarre setup, actually, for the one league I was worried about — I actually had nobody playing, but my opponent had a combination of McDonald, Boyes, Antropov, Bogosian, and Little, and by late in the third period I essentially needed none of these players to (a) record a shot on goal, or (b) get an assist.

It was nerve-racking, really, because they all played a bunch, and Bogosian and McDonald both shot wide twice each in OT. I made it safely to the shootout unscathed.

Oddly enough, my opponent was playing Hedberg, too, but I’d already lost goaltending for the week.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 8, 2009 6:13 PM PST up reply actions

Wow, sounds like you dodged a few bullets there. Glad it worked out for you!

by g r a c e on Nov 8, 2009 6:22 PM PST up reply actions

Definitely.

Anybody watching the Colorado game, or seen a Colorado game this year? This is weird to explain, but it’s blowing my mind.

At each end of the rink, behind each goalie, they have a printed advertisement on the glass, about head-high, where normally you wouldn’t see any advertising. When I first saw it (an earlier game), it said “Jack Daniels” in nice white letters on the back glass. Then on the other end of the ice I saw a nice answering “Southern Comfort”.

Well in today’s game I noticed that the ads had switched sponsors; now it just advertised “avalancheseats.com”, and I thought it was weird that they’d changed already. Then I saw the puck enter the zone on a play, and upon freeze-frame investigation, I realized there was not even a real ad there at all — it was being digitally inserted on the TV broadcast only!

I’m shouldn’t really be that excited about advertising, but for some reason that TV trick has me aflutter.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 8, 2009 6:33 PM PST up reply actions

It’s like when I was little and realized that yellow line in football games isn’t really there.

Lol, just kidding. This post was a complete lie.

by brokenyard on Nov 8, 2009 7:07 PM PST up reply actions

I have to say, though, it looks pretty good, and it’s non-obtrusive in the telecast. And while it won’t draw any eyes from the in-house crowd, from the TV angle it’s the most prominent ad during most of the game.

I’d probably prefer it, for example, if the Ducks would display “Del Taco” digitally on the back glass rather than utilize it as a recurring reminder that we take too many penalties. Though I don’t really know how to get Del Taco to back out of their existing sweet deal.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 8, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe if there was some deal like, if the Ducks allow no PP goals, print out a coupon online and get two free tacos or something

Lol, just kidding. This post was a complete lie.

by brokenyard on Nov 8, 2009 7:16 PM PST up reply actions

I’d probably prefer it, for example, if the Ducks would display "Del Taco" digitally on the back glass rather than utilize it as a recurring reminder that we take too many penalties. Though I don’t really know how to get Del Taco to back out of their existing sweet deal.

I don’t know. I think the Del Taco PK is somewhat a negative to Ducks fans. I don’t know about you guys, but I now somewhat despise Del Taco. =P

Hope you and tu madre are feeling better btw. I’m dealing with the same flu thing right now.

by JohnQPhats on Nov 9, 2009 8:00 AM PST up reply actions

i dunno…spicy chickon (not a mispelling i say chickon like that i think its funny) burittos are mighty good…there fish taco isnt too bad also minus that cream shit…and they got crinklie fries

Ducks blow old goats right now but....GO DUCKS!!! for shits and giggles!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Nov 9, 2009 8:36 AM PST up reply actions

The Deluxe Chili Cheese Fries at Del Taco may be one of my ten favorite things ever.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 9, 2009 9:50 AM PST up reply actions

you know what you throw right on top of those bad boys?…those new fried jalepenos…i would minus the sour cream..but thats personal preference

Ducks blow old goats right now but....GO DUCKS!!! for shits and giggles!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Nov 9, 2009 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

thanks john. I’m running tops again.

During the games I hate Del Taco.
But, after hours of drinking, hitting up a Del Taco drive thru is one of the greatest things in the whole world.

my personal favorite is the spicy jack chickon quesadilla.

fuck there black taco though. i will never buy that.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 9, 2009 9:32 AM PST up reply actions

thats taco bell..but hey whos keeping track…spade correcting someone? pigs are flying my friend

since i mentioned taco hell …enchorits yummy!!! and mexican pizzas not too shabby

Ducks blow old goats right now but....GO DUCKS!!! for shits and giggles!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Nov 9, 2009 10:11 AM PST up reply actions

Toxic Hell was always crazy to me because almost everyone on the planet has at least one thing that they absolutely love there. Cheese Quesedillas. They are like crack.

Maybe I just hold on to a grudge too much. Whenever I drive by a Del Taco, I mutter “Fuck you Del Taco for all the pain you’ve caused me.”

by JohnQPhats on Nov 9, 2009 10:22 AM PST up reply actions

del tacos are just too numeroud by were i live and there open 24 hrs..i have no choice..but to spread my legs and and give up my money to this fake mexican franchise..my grandma would stab me in the neck if she knew how much i went there..i guess im safe from her vengence as long as i dont say its mexican food in front of her..

Ducks blow old goats right now but....GO DUCKS!!! for shits and giggles!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Nov 9, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions

That is wild. I’m watching the game right now, but I’m not seeing the ads. I’m watching online via the NHL’s GameCenter Live, and I’m getting the Oilers feed — maybe that’s the difference?

by g r a c e on Nov 8, 2009 7:20 PM PST up reply actions

Probably — I’m on the Avs feed, and I think that was the case when I originally saw it, too.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 8, 2009 7:38 PM PST up reply actions

i thought the whiz was strong and showed why we need him although i know arthur disagrees…also we havent played as many games as the other Pacific teams..theres gotta be positivty in that?…

minus browns goal the lack of prouctivity o nthe last 2 lines spooks me still a little….im feeling like ok maybe we can squeak into a playoff spot but we will come up short…but thats negative and fuck that…so lets just hope our luck continues….wensday is so far away

Ducks blow old goats right now but....GO DUCKS!!! for shits and giggles!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Nov 9, 2009 8:40 AM PST reply actions

boynton looked good too.

hooked on quack

by tu madre on Nov 9, 2009 9:33 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I’m liking Boynton — not the fastest, but he’s solid. Makes a lot of sense with a Niedermayer or a Whitney — he’ll do their hitting for them.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 9, 2009 9:59 AM PST up reply actions

i thought the whiz was strong and showed why we need him although i know arthur disagrees…also we havent played as many games as the other Pacific teams..theres gotta be positivty in that?…

For sure — not only does it push Eminger down to a more manageable role, but Wiz keeps adding assists. Not many of our d-men do that consistently.

And yeah, games in hand. I’d much rather have the wins, but at least if the Ducks do turn it on there’s opportunity to catch up.

minus browns goal the lack of prouctivity o nthe last 2 lines spooks me still a little….

The last five games the bottom forwards have chipped in four goals — Brown 2, Marchant 1, Parros 1. Not sure how sustainable that is, but the key is always going to be the top forwards — they’ve been scoring bunches lately, and that seems to be the formula for success.

wensday is so far away

For sure, but at least we’re sitting on two wins while we wait. Much better than the fuming on a loss for a few days.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 9, 2009 9:57 AM PST up reply actions

The last five games the bottom forwards have chipped in four goals — Brown 2, Marchant 1, Parros 1. Not sure how sustainable that is, but the key is always going to be the top forwards — they’ve been scoring bunches lately, and that seems to be the formula for success.

ok scratch that bottom line comment..4 goals from them is decent..

For sure, but at least we’re sitting on two wins while we wait. Much better than the fuming on a loss for a few days.

i do like bitchin and fuming but yea..winning is better

Ducks blow old goats right now but....GO DUCKS!!! for shits and giggles!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Nov 9, 2009 10:12 AM PST up reply actions

Well, no, you’re right, though — the bottom six has generally been a dearth of scoring, and it’s unrealistic I think to pencil them in for much offense at all. Their job mostly is just to keep their heads above water, and in some sense they’ve been very good at that — I really liked the Parros-Carter-Artyukhin line the last couple of games, even though it hasn’t manufactured that much. They’re clumsy, but generally effective.

I can live with the bottom lines so long as the top lines play as advertised. Getzlaf’s somewhat becoming good again, though he’s not dominant, but Perry & Ryan now seem able to make that line run. The Ducks need that line to go back to “Round One vs. Sharks” good, but we’ll see how soon that happens — Getzlaf had hernia surgery or something, so it’s just wait and see.

And the Finns are coming around on line two — that’s the real key. Koivu’s worked his tail off in Anaheim, but it was frustratingly off the scoresheet for a while. Now Teemu seems to have caught onto that energy, and they’ve been more stable. There’s still another level for them to get to, though, and Lupul himself is sort of an enigma — his only goal lately was that weird bounce off the glass.

Lately, it’s worked, though not really against anybody very good. This road trip should test the fuck out of them.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 9, 2009 10:29 AM PST up reply actions

road trip for some reason makes me feel good..maybe theyll bond and share underwear and pick nats out of each other hair…and theyll be good for it..well see..im cautiously optomositc..i feel like sticking my fingers in a door jam and slamming the door for saying that..but..fuck…

lupul..yea i dont notice that guy at all hes like a jersey with the number 14 skating around..but no one inside that jersy…

i think if the bottom line can contribute just a weew bit more..we might get somthing really rolling

Ducks blow old goats right now but....GO DUCKS!!! for shits and giggles!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Nov 9, 2009 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

Well, the upside to the road trip is that rationally, the Ducks should lose all four games. At least these won’t be points we’re necessarily blowing (not like say, when a winless Leafs team comes to your arena).

And yeah, the last year especially, the Ducks play to their competition. So we can expect probably a couple of good performances soon. As for Lupul, I have noticed him — I think he’s been playing OK, actually, though I’m still not sure where he fits best. I’m still kind of hoping on Marchant’s wing.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 9, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

I really liked the Parros-Carter-Artyukhin line the last couple of games, even though it hasn’t manufactured that much. They’re clumsy, but generally effective.

Perfect explanation of that line. I like that line as well. I really do like Artyukhin. He’s surprisingly fast for his size.

by JohnQPhats on Nov 9, 2009 10:39 AM PST reply actions

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Pacific Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
San Jose Fear The Fin	51	29	16	6	64
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	54	26	18	10	62
Phoenix Five For Howling	54	25	21	8	58
Dallas Defending Big D	52	27	23	2	56
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	53	21	24	8	50