Ducks Gameday -- Gettin' Thin on Finns
by Earl Sleek on Jan 17, 2010 12:05 PM PST
115 comments
Calgary Flames (26-16-6, t-6th in west) at Anaheim Ducks (21-20-7, t-12th in west), 5 pm
Anaheim Calling quacks; Matchsticks and Gasoline sizzles.
It's been a rotten couple of days to be a Ducks second-liner, that's for sure.
- On Wednesday, Teemu Selanne took a fluke puck to the face, and will miss 2-6 weeks with a broken jaw -- Teemu's not particularly tough, so I'd suspect it's on the longer end of that timeframe.
- On Thursday, Saku Koivu suffered an injury in the second period and will miss 1-2 weeks with a sprained knee (here's a photo)-- knees are tricky, so I'm guessing long on this one, too.
- On Friday, the Ducks announced that Joffrey Lupul, who was originally supposed to miss 6-8 weeks from his Dec. 17 back surgery, now is out indefinitely with an infection in his back. I don't know what to think there.
- Then on Saturday, just to kick dirt in the wound, nine western conference teams picked up standings points.
So for the next while, the top six forwards will be three legitimates -- Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan -- two successful-so-far tag-alongs -- Matt Beleskey and Dan Sexton -- and a sixth body -- Petteri Nokelainen ("Help us, Nickelodeon; you're our only Finn") or Evgeny Artyukhin, likely. Still, hopefully the Ducks can still compete; a week-and-a-half ago this team won a couple of games without Lupul or Selanne available -- that's not too far removed from their current predicament (though on many nights Saku has been the best Anaheim player).
For those that are medically inclined, through some devious channels I was able to get my hands on some unofficial team x-rays of the injured forwards -- by my untrained eye, it looks pretty grim. You can see from all the lightning bolts of pain that all three Ducks are hurting pretty bad, and Lupul's back infection is noticeably shaded in red. Again, I'm no doctor, but this all looks like serious stuff -- feel better, guys.
BoC Historical Note: the knee x-ray is actually a reused image from Pronger days.
I should be around tonight -- feel free to join in the comments at gametime.
Prediction: Today it's in the form of a good-luck cartoon:
Not the best, but I was trying out some shading techniques on the fire, at least.
Webbed foot by Chipchura.
Go Ducks.
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this week really made suicide/moving to a distant island where no one has ever hear about hockey seems like good idea…
i assume finland will drop to some 3rd division to play with hockey power houses like greece and ireland
Hockey - increasing the alcohol consumption since forever
Well, if either Selanne or Koivu is unavailable for the Olympics, I’m kind of hoping they’ll pull Nokelainen in. He won’t be nearly as good as whoever he’s replacing, but he’s still a solid defensive option with a lot of smarts.
Normally, I’m against having too many Ducks playing in non-season stuff like the Olympics or All-Star Game, but this year I don’t think I care very much — may as well try to see some of these players win something meaningful.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
i know there’ll be time when those two aren’t in the team but I really wasn’t prepared to face it now :/
and my hope for them winning the cup together doesn’t look very likely either
Hockey - increasing the alcohol consumption since forever
I suppose that’s why we’ve got video games, to tell the story the way it should have happened. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
do they have national teams too? because i have few finals to fix…
Hockey - increasing the alcohol consumption since forever
Christ, Stoll, way to get low on that face-off.
For a team without much depth in the first place those three injuries have to be pretty killer. Well, two, Lupul sucks.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
A ton’s going to depend on how well Sex Offender and Beleskey can keep impersonating top-sixers. Both have been excellent in short-term relief, but a lot of the framework that’s made that possible has depended on Koivu’s ability to legitimize the second line.
Maybe Hiller can go crazy in net again, too — that’d be great.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Good work on getting access to those x-rays. Those lightning bolts really bring the pain home. And the webbed-foot-through-fake-Calcifer is awesome, too, and hopefully prophetic.
Thanks for getting the picture of Carter off the top of the page. I was about 10 feet from that fight, in my Carter jersey no less. He wasn’t at the Casino night – you could probably add his broken nose to your list (not that he’s a pivotal player or anything).
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
At this point, any NHL-ready forward should be considered “pivotal”. Carter would be helpful over the next two weeks, if available.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Jan 17, 2010 2:53 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Well, I’m sure he is. Brookbank said that the first pop got him, which is why I’m sure he wasn’t at the event to begin with and I’d assume playing is much more important that sporting an afro for charity – so it makes sense.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
How was the casino thing-y? I’ve never gone, mostly because of a crippling fear of ever meeting Sammy Pahlsson.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Jan 17, 2010 3:06 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I had the same crippling fear of…the entire roster (you can ask Spade about my FLIPPING OUT email I sent him on Wednesday).
Honestly, it was pretty bad ass. They were all really nice – very…“hey, how’s it goin?!” I don’t know what was more enjoyable…
Proving that Dan Sexton is definitely NOT 5’10’’ (5’8’’ if he’s lucky – and I’m being generous)
Talking to Bobby Ryan and hearing from him that he wasn’t being suspended and that, “you should keep your head up!”
Meeting Colin Whitney, who looks frighteningly like Ryan (they aren’t twins), probably plays better, has smaller ears (that’s what he said, couldn’t see through all the hair), and that he’s the better looking brother (that was from Brookbank).
Of course, getting to shake Scotty’s hand was on the top of the list too.
Oh – and Ryan Getzlaf is HUGE, I was kinda shocked by that!
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
Wait, what happened with Cotton Gin? He has a brother who freeloads on Ducks-sponsored events?
http://www.battleofcali.com/
He said he didn’t know about the event before hand and since his brother has been injuring all of our players, there were extra silk and polyester costumes laying around.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
Just in case you need clarification…Colin, Ryan, Sheldon…I so kindly cut myself out of the photo
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
sk you were the envy of everyone..damn this must have been fun
"I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable."
Jim Morrison quote
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 18, 2010 9:47 AM PST up reply actions
You shook Scott Niedermayer’s hand?! (faints)
I cannot tell you how jealous I am — the whole thing sounds like it was a ton of fun. Ack. Cannot wait to move back to SoCal — that whole going-to-live-games thing is pretty addicting, even if it was only for a month and the Ducks lost every single game.
LOL! I almost did too. I told him he was a legend! hahaha, he was like, “I’M a legend?!” I just looked at him dumbfounded and said…“YES!!!!!!” He accepted the compliment well I think! :)
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
I did…we had an interesting conversation about him fighting robots…it’s a long story about my friends kid. His girlfriend loved it! ANYWAY, he was kinda what you’d expect. Easily distracted, kinda goofy, and equally HUGE!
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
I think I’d be two sentences into talking with Corey Perry before I’d say, “Listen, I know this isn’t polite party conversation, but I just have to let you know what a ‘Douche Trick’ is.”
I’d also be kind of drunk, I suspect. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
LMAO! Oh, the things I “thought” about telling some of them. Like that I gave Whitney an “F”, or that Jiggy should re-consider his no trade clause, or when Parros said that he hurt his hand on someones face that I was actually shocked he’d connected on a punch. But as I was a media guest, I went against those urges!
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
I’m sorry, but: his girlfriend?! Perry?? Hahaha, on second thought, it’s not surprising (considering he’s a pro athlete), but I just cannot imagine him as having ANY GAME AT ALL.
“Gettin’ Thin on Finns” is right — Kipper gets the night off for the Flames. Hiller vs. McElhinny.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Crap — a Finn does score, but it’s their guy — Olli Jokinen on a breakaway.
0-1 quickly.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Boynton’s back, Earl. I think Carlyle scratched him for the winning streak to disprove your theory. Whaddya say tonight? Good sign he’s in there?
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 5:31 PM PST reply actions
I’m OK with it — sounds like the Ducks could have used him last game, at least. I flushed most of the game away on the DVR, though, so I’m guessing.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
the Ducks could have used an effort last game
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 5:38 PM PST up reply actions
Trapping the goaltender in his own net…I’d say that counts as douchey!
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
by SK eleven on Jan 17, 2010 5:37 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I like Sexton’s Curly impression
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 5:38 PM PST reply actions
ARTOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Risky move to start, but I liked it more and more as it went along. Nice work, big lug.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I know something you don't know . . .
I . . . am no’ lef’ handed
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 5:49 PM PST reply actions
if we can just score two goals
I can print out a hooters coupon for lunch tomorrow.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 5:52 PM PST reply actions
I’ve been blaming people for passing Wisniewski the puck too hard, but I’m starting to think it’s Wisniewski. I think he has trouble receiving passes. The fact that Hayzie defended him seems to confirm that.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 5:55 PM PST up reply actions
If it gets to a shootout, I think the Calgary coach will have plenty of options.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
like declining a penalty in football?
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 6:26 PM PST up reply actions
Shrug — can’t fault him on the non-breakaway, and I won’t crucify him for three terrible team plays.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
he knows he’s in the center ice for that shot. He knows it’s a risk. I’m not saying it’s a risk he should never take, but I think he knows he could have made a safer play.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 6:29 PM PST up reply actions
So the bad news — in the 10 minutes and 49 seconds played after Glencross’s goal, the Ducks failed to register a shot on net.
The good news — they get another 20 minutes to attempt this alleged “comeback”. Maybe B-Ry needs to take another misconduct to spark the team.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Beleskey
displaying those hardest shot skills. GOAL PERRY
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:15 PM PST reply actions
I know we don't get a lot of calls
but if the future of our captaincy is Getzlaf and Perry, we will never get another call . . . ever
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:16 PM PST reply actions
I can't see Glencross
without thinking about how much Joe Motzko sucks at hockey.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:18 PM PST reply actions
Well, they don’t really ask about that when they etch your name in the Stanley Cup. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I never understood that move. Glencross was good in Cincinnati. I guess he was too flashy for Burke’s tastes, so he was willing to trade him for anything. Sucks when he scores against us these days.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:23 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, but if everything Burke touched actually did turn to gold, then I’d be a lot more pissed off that he ditched us. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I kinda didn’t mind when he moved drafted assets. As a GM, it’s your job to overrule amateur scouting. But it sucked how man David McNab players he sent out the door. Including Kunitz! He definitely fell ass backwards into a lot of his GM success. He hasn’t made a move to rival that Sedin move since he left Vancouver.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:32 PM PST up reply actions
They should really upgrade that giveaway if one of the five goes to Bodie.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
they already added ’if the ducks score in the last five minute" I guess it was a bad thing that no one was ever chasing in the promotion.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:30 PM PST up reply actions
Nok almost committed body check suicide
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:36 PM PST reply actions
KHL, I think, but we have RFA rights. I know Konitola’s KHL. He’s a Finn too
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:40 PM PST up reply actions
regulation wins. that’s what we need. not to mention, ‘comebacks’ haha, right sleek?
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:41 PM PST up reply actions
New Bobby Ryan/George Parros cop drama on NBC
Lisp and The Stache
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Jan 17, 2010 7:43 PM PST reply actions
Heart-Attack Inducing Player of the Night: Ryan Whitney
I know Wiz made a mistake that led to a goal, but I swear Ryan Whitney was scaring me with his zone play tonight. Dallas and Calgary are the two teams that freak me out when it comes to defensive mistakes. Mostly because I hate losing to those two teams in particular.
No points for Calgary baby!
"Concentration, not strength." - Gordon Bombay
hell yeah. good job beating calgary. i hope this doesn’t come back to haunt the Kings though
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Jan 17, 2010 11:38 PM PST up reply actions
eminger was sucking a lot last ntie also..he almost gave up the tying goal byt gettigns schooled on a give an go by the flames..luckily the flames didnt convert
we gotta tighten things up somehow without losing our offensive surge…otherwise were in an lets try to outscore the oppo mode…
wicked goal by bobby…damn…that was the shit
grerat foot kicking out the flame cartoon..i wasnt sure u would be able to pull that off..
"I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable."
Jim Morrison quote
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 18, 2010 9:51 AM PST up reply actions
just realized the sharks messed up the massachusetts state rape….fuckers
"I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable."
Jim Morrison quote
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 18, 2010 10:14 AM PST reply actions
Funny you bring that up — for some reason I thought the Sharks had won that shootout, and had even written part of this post as the state rape update. Then when I went back to link to the three game results, I realized that Boston had won in CA and had to hastily delete that part of the post.
But it wasn’t that good anyways — Massachusetts was the last victim, and I was just re-using.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
the talking like a chowdahead really brings that home…damn sharks..they cant anything right
"I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable."
Jim Morrison quote
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 18, 2010 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
damn sharks..they cant anything right
Add the Chargers to that comment as well. We almost had a guaranteed watchable Super Bowl, now we need a little help from Indy to guarantee it watchable.
I pretty much guarantee I won’t watch the Super Bowl, no matter who’s playing in it. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Don’t be to hasty, Indy vs. New Orleans would be a pretty awesome matchup, even non-football fans would enjoy. Heck even Indy Vikings (my fav) would be really great on paper.
ill be watchin…im always down for a reason to get plowed and fatter on wings
i want my hispanic USC brotha sanchez to do well..but not win..cuz your right…whomever the NFC sends would destroy the jets…Indy needs to win to have an enjoyable superbowl
sanchez your time will come later
LONG LIVE BOC!!!.......
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 18, 2010 2:20 PM PST up reply actions
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Pacific Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose
|
82 | 51 | 20 | 11 | 113 |
|
Phoenix
|
82 | 50 | 25 | 7 | 107 |
|
Los Angeles
|
82 | 46 | 27 | 9 | 101 |
|
Anaheim
|
82 | 39 | 32 | 11 | 89 |
|
Dallas
|
82 | 37 | 31 | 14 | 88 |
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