BoC Gameday—Will the Ducks be a speed bump or a roadblock on Shark Street?
Tomorrow night:
Anaheim Ducks (8th in west) at San Jose Sharks (1st in west)
Ducks lead series 1-0; JavaGeek Odds: SJS 52%
Go to Fear the Fin, where they have placed a ban on the word "annual".
Woo hoo! Anaheim's not getting swept!
According to that JavaGeek link above, not only are the Sharks still favorites to win this series, but if not for goaltending, the Ducks would have lost G1 by a score of 3.1 to 1.2. Even Coach Carlyle admits that Anaheim was "very, very fortunate to get the shutout and get the hockey game." If Sharks bloggers' responsibility is to preach calm among San Jose fans, I think it falls on me to remind Ducks fans to keep their cool as well -- we've seen this team blow a lot of leads this year, and while the Ducks did snag home ice advantage in G1, they haven't won three straight at home since mid-December.
Frankly, I don't know how many opportunities I'll have to post with the Ducks leading this BoC series. So I guess I should throw this in now:

Drink up, hockey fans. It's April.
But that's not to say that I'm not on the verge of ecstatic; the Ducks can put an explosive oxygen tank squarely in the Sharks' mouth if they can duplicate a G2 miracle in San Jose. In order to really take the edge in this series, Jonas Hiller and his pipes must stay rock-solid (and yes, Francois Allaire must be re-signed for sure), special teams must continue to deliver, and Anaheim needs to do its best impression of a disciplined team.
I'm posting a day earlier than usual -- partially because it's the weekend and partially because I'm awesome -- but I should be around for the full game tomorrow night, either in these comments or if there's a newer post. Be fully prepared, Ducks fans -- usually when this team starts believing their own hype, they get demolished. Feel free to stop by -- should be liver-threateningly drink-inducing.
Unrelated: One of the non-playoff storylines this spring is the Avalanche's search for a new general manager to replace ousted Francois Giguere. My suggestion? They should limit their GM hunt to candidates with the last name "Hiller".
Prediction: Say it with me. Pronger gets booed.
Go Ducks.
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I’m openly rooting for a seven game series at this point. I don’t want the BoC to end.
When I'm not battling in California:
http://www.cyclelikesedins.com
Hilarious, and unnerving, cartoon.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
whose side are you on??
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 18, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Being a Bay Area sports fan makes me naturally pessimistic.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Thornton line gets moved off the Getzlaf line, or if Marleau gets moved to a different line. The Sharks need to do something to take advantage of their forward depth against the Ducks.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
It might be worth doing, but the Sharks for years had a Thornton / Marleau split, and it seemed that the Niedermayer / Pronger split was good for dealing with that sort of 2-headed monster.
But yeah, this coaching chess is pretty fascinating.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I thought Mike was crazy at first but now I think the Sharks should put Joe on a line with 2 scrubs and make him create goals by himself.
Roenick/Thornton/Cheechoo
Michalek/Pavelski/Clowe
Marleau/Mitchell/Setoguchi
Moen/Goc/Grier
That’s 3 lines that have to be defended. Looks good to me.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
I don’t think Mitchell will be ready yet (even if he is, do you a start a guy that hasn’t played a game all season?), so this is what I got.
Marleau-Thornton-Setoguchi
Michalek-Pavelski-Clowe
Roenick-Goc-Cheechoo
Moen-Plihal-Grier
I’ve talked a lot about this already on FTF, but you throw out Plihal against Getzlaf, especially with the last change at home- they’re not really considered a “fourth line” as in they’re not getting typical fourth-line minutes.
Shelley shouldn’t be dressed. He was dressed against Calgary last year when Sarich took a run at Patty and that didn’t change anything obviously. Why you shorten your bench by playing him for three minutes I’ll never know.
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
you throw out Plihal against Getzlaf, especially with the last change at home- they’re not really considered a "fourth line" as in they’re not getting typical fourth-line minutes.
Yeah, but if you’re hard-matching against Getzlaf’s line, that means somebody else lines up against Parros, and so you’re going to be shortchanging some other line. In other words, Plihal won’t be a fourth line center, but somebody else will be.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I didn’t get into too much here due to space constraints, but it was a half-half type deal. The “shutdown line” (Plihal’s) would see half the time against Getz, while Thornton’s and/or Pavelski’s would see the other half.
What it comes down to is trying to get favorable matchups, something McLellan didn’t really do all too effectively in game one. San Jose’s top line got outplayed, and yet was thrown out there every time in 5 v 5.
I’m confident in our scoring depth versus Anaheim’s, and having Big Joe go toe-to-toe with Getzlaf nullifies that a bit. On the road it’s going to be a lot tougher, but at home you have a lot more opportunities to take advantage of it.
Double shifting Patty as the “fourth line center” wouldn’t be a bad idea either (like you alluded to). There’s some links to more of this thought process found here if you’re interested.
Sorry for linking stuff by the way (I think this is my second time doing it on BoC today)- it irks me, but at least it’s relevant.
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
I’m posting a day earlier than usual — partially because it’s the weekend and partially because I’m awesome
And partially because the Ducks won on Friday. Just sayin’.
It’s funny how a win can change the whole fanbase’s attitude towards a series, and life in general. I’m sitting on pins and needles over here.
Great cartoon Sleek.
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
And partially because the Ducks won on Friday. Just sayin’.
Thursday, dude. And it was a huge one, especially with this extra day off. Everyone just has to wait longer for the Sharks’ response, which should be scary as hell.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I can’t even get my days straight anymore Sleek. These last two days have felt like a year.
That win was big-time, no doubt. Anytime you force a team (that has a ton of pressure on them to perform this postseason) to fight for a split at home you’ve done your job admirably.
Any word on game four availability yet? With Spade and James T going it will be a perfect opportunity to pretend like we can be friends during a playoff series ;)
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
Yeah, I’m out for attending G4 or any pre-game drinking, but I could meet up after the game.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
It all depends on the ride situation really- I’m not sure if my buddy (who will be driving) wants to stay late. We’re about 2 1/2 hours away from Anaheim. I’ll let you know before Thursday.
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
yo plank is that really you in the pic.?
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 1:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes sir. Don’t have the bars now though, growing a playoff beard. And I grew my hair out. Basically I look like nothing like that anymore.
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
the bars was the best part man……your killing me softly plank
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions
God forbid this situation arises, but if the Ducks oust the Sharks I’ll have a good headstart on bringing em’ back.
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
dude im totally rubbing off on some Boc’ers…Plank just got spade-idus
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
rubbing off? rubbing what exactly??
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions
how did i know…iwas gonna get a comment from you on this haha
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha, you have no idea man. Ang is like a dog in heat this time of year.
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
this time of year? don’t you mean all the time??
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
ha ha !
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for the link, Sleek. I saw you voiced similar concerns while I was preparing that post.
And if the Ducks can pull off an impression of a disciplined team, I’ll be giving them the edge in this series, or at least a citizen’s nomination for an Oscar.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Apr 18, 2009 6:39 PM PDT reply actions
Jonas Hiller and the importance of days off
I just calculated a few numbers surrendering Jonas Hiller’s goaltending this season.
When he plays a game after playing the night before:
— 6 GP, 0-4-0, 15 GA on 112 shots, 3.23 GAA, 0.866 sv%
When he plays a game and didn’t play the night before:
— 41 GP, 24-11-1, 84 GA on 1,140 shots, 2.22 GAA, .926 sv%
I don’t know if the first set is a big enough sample size, but apparently thank goodness there’s no B2B games scheduled in this round, at least. From the looks of things, that’s worth an extra GA-per-game right there.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
During the Phoenix game, Hayward was saying that HIller needed to work on making more position saves when he didn’t have his best stuff on the tail end of back to backs. The kid likes those athletic saves; so I guess I can see what Hayzie’s saying.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Apr 18, 2009 9:34 PM PDT reply actions
am i the only one show loves the new sirlon burger jack commerical……i can sing along like really gooodl……sleek drinking beforehand?…..lets make it happen….lets win tommorow…fuck it……………..
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 1:31 AM PDT reply actions
i dont think ive ever been more drunker than now
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 1:31 AM PDT up reply actions
sleek your cartoon..is making me laugh my ass off…oh and i was an ace on pool tonite…seriously
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 1:33 AM PDT reply actions
There is no President's Trophy curse!
Damn you people! The President’s Trophy winner has won more Stanley Cups since the award was created in 1985 (7) than any other overall ranking, and has made it to at least the conference finals 14 of 22 times. And if my site was working, I would be able to show you the numbers, but it’s fucked at the moment for some reason. The post is here, whenever the site starts working again.
Anyway, considering the fact that there are 16 playoff teams, several of which are legitimate contenders, I’d say that’s a damned good clearance rate.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there)
Hey, if only 50% of the curses referenced in my punchline turn out to be bullshit, that’s actually better than my typical ratio. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Oh I know. It’s just something that comes up every year and drives me batshit insane every time.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there)
A) So I guess the Sharks plan to double-negative their chances failed
B) I think the point is still that the President’s Trophy winner is more likely not to win the Cup than they are to win it.
Nobody cares about your opinion.
A) I choose to pretend that was the joke. ;)
B) Sure, but they’re far more likely to win the Cup than any other team, which makes the concept of a “curse” sort of silly. I mean, no one talks about the second-overall curse, and they’ve won just two Stanley Cups since Montreal completed their dynasty in 1979 after finishing one point back of the Islanders.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there)
If you wanna get technical about it
… there are no curses, period. (Well, unless one is of a certain religious persuasion, I suppose, but we best not go there.)
I look at all sports “curse” memes not in the context of whether there is any reality/stats to back them up, but rather whether there is a fanbase neurosis that sets in once said “curse” appears to be happening again. Like when two completely different rosters six years apart suffer similar fates, and the fan reaction is “we did it again.”
After you’ve withstood 82 games to determine yours is the best team in hockey (a more legit test of a team’s overall quality in my book, but don’t tell the God of Stanley), it’s a whole new level of self-induced psychological torture to explain how your team didn’t win the trophy that everyone recognizes as being awarded to the best team in hockey. Second overall and no Cup sucks horribly, but first overall and no Cup gets one truly fuming and reaching for supernatural causes (and sharp objects).
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
we gotta weather the big shark storm thats gonna come today….like we did last game…
one thing we gotta do better…is get the cycle going down low…i dont think we did enough of that…….
and rob needs to stop taking 3 penalties in a period….that would help also
yippe kye yee….mini sirlion burgers!!!!
been drinking since thursday..dont know if i can today……gonna try
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions
been drinking since thursday..dont know if i can today……gonna try
That’s the spirit.
And yeah, the Ducks had better be prepared to play better today — I’m a bit scared of the extra day off; it’s one extra day the Ducks get to hear how good they are, and that’s never a good thing for this team.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
So you did Hiller’s stats when didn’t play the day before and then Hiller’s stats when he did play the day before, so what are his stats when it’s been a long amount of time between games?
…
…you know, nevermind, I think you’d have to look into last year to find that out.
Nobody cares about your opinion.
…you know, nevermind
That’s the spirit. I’m too lazy to do it now, anyway.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
sleek you ready for tonite?….freakin nervous…
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions
why nervous?? :)
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions
sleek mentioned it….just when you start thinking the ducks are on a roll…the lay a stinker…
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
one game does not make a roll
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
who is the house today?…holla
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 6:54 PM PDT reply actions
SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions
the loyal opposition….
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
your row “b” elite….why arent u sporting green or blue…mang hehe
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m here! Listening to the last few minutes of the NJ @ CAR game while I wait for atdhe.net to load the Ducks game.
grace grace!!!
GO DUCKS!!!
GAME TIME!!!!!!!1
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
YEA I KNOW…the sharks almost scored right there
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Checking In
Play hockey!!!! Woooo!
An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.
NICE GETZ….GIVE CHEECHEW THAT SHOT
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:12 PM PDT reply actions
nice to take one for the team selanne
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:14 PM PDT reply actions
haha i know…will be my 3rd free ones!!
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions
ALL RIGHT GOOOOOOO BOBBY!!!!1
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:17 PM PDT reply actions
Ducks Score
That was awesome.
An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.
take out an “o”
god sounds better
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions
im covering my eyes grace….our pk is scary
but the sharks…jerking around trying to get in the zone is making it easier
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions
keep trying to carry the puck in there sharkies……youl make my blood pressure go down
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m stuck with radio feed only! NHL GameCenter Live is blacked out, and atdhe.net is making Firefox crash. Not being able to see makes everything more stressful!
They’re playing a very very stressful version of keep-away right now.
But at least the clock keeps running.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
yea the sharks are being aggrssive as fuck
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I like agressive
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions
there somtihng to be said about soft and……wait what are we talking about?
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
hockey
and yes there is
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions
yea i know….this is nail-biting
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
damn…the sharks are playing like there on fire….hopefully this will backfire on them
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:35 PM PDT reply actions
for being a ducks fan …yes … :)
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
maybe the plan is to let the sharks tire themselves out…..
holy cow…mang…
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 7:48 PM PDT reply actions
what an exciting ass game.
this is hands down the best thing on t.v. tonight, and my daughter insists on watching cinderella story. She’ll learn when she gets older.
hooked on quack
She’s not interested in learning about a real-life 8-v-1 Cinderella story?
http://www.battleofcali.com/
she knows Neidermeyer, she says it all the time. Neeeedeeeermaaayeeer.
she’s only 7. but if she were to pick a favorite hockey team, it’d be the ducks, just like her old man.
hooked on quack
Not sure — last I heard she was going to write for Eklund’s site, but I haven’t checked it out.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
ok so sk is a dude…needed to straighten that out
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
HI! Sorry…I’m around…just too busy freaking out during games to get my head on straight for comments! But I always come around and check out your crazy comments! :)
Also, NOT writing for Eklund…
AND yes…Bobby Effin Ryan = GOD!
OH! and NOT A DUDE! (where the hell did that one come from?) LOL
GO DUCKS!! DUCKSandPUCKS.com
come on ducks…get your heads out of your asses
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 8:19 PM PDT reply actions
The Ducks must have a seven-game plan of taking penalties. By taking periodic two-minute rests, they’ll be really fresh for G7.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
funny….how no duck fans are surprised…..thats just how our boys roll
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
think are doing everything they can to lose this game….but hiller and mike brown..are saying no
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 8:34 PM PDT reply actions
Oh, I thought you meant the Sharks when you said “HIller and Mike Brown.”
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
im not even drunk,,can u belive it
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions
he could have slide it 5 hole
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions
yea hopefully the ducks of the first 5 mins shows up…
we just cant clear pucks out of the zone…its sickening..
could be worse……come on duckers!!!
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions
man…scotty almost had that goal….close
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:14 PM PDT reply actions
i was waiting for that comment from you
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions
How about this one?
How many penalties do you think we can squeeze in before the end of this game?
http://www.battleofcali.com/
wouldn’t matter … Sharks can’t fucking score during a PP it seems
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 19, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions
i dont want to keep tempting fate..there ang
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions
EBBET you have redeemed your self!!!!1
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:16 PM PDT reply actions
MILLER TIME!111
i said it fitrst sleek
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:26 PM PDT reply actions
Oh Snap
Ducks lead.
An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.
Double Snap
Cheech-who? Scores.
An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.
of course the ducks….didnt want to make it easy…what fun would that be?
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:29 PM PDT reply actions
wow how scary to watch is the 2nd line…when it has to play defense……yikes!!!
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:33 PM PDT reply actions
i just love that sound dont you?
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions
WOW ROB MISSED AN OPEN NET? WHATS THE WORLD COMING TO?
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Fracking
Wow. 1st round upset here we come…
An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.
Sharks got lucky
They might actually avoid that second-round curse after all. Good job, Sharks!
Nobody cares about your opinion.
wow we got 2 games at the tank…im shocked!!
GO MUTHA FUCKIN DUCKS!!!!
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Apr 19, 2009 9:39 PM PDT reply actions

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