VIDEO: Canucks Foil Ducks

Photo: AP/Jae C. Hong

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Vancouver Canucks for their home opener. A nice touch by the Anaheim Ducks was honoring Kai Quinonez during the pre-game. Full story here: Ducks Honor Ill Teenage Boy The teams would battle to a tie at the end of regulation and overtime. Eventually Vancouver would win in the shoot out.

First Period

The teams wasted no time getting acquainted as Clayton Stoner and Brandon Prust dropped the just under two minutes into the game.

After the fight the Ducks were awarded a power play when Alexander Edler was called for holding. The Ducks had a couple of chances and couldn’t score. With 21 seconds left in the power play, Jiri Sekac was called for hooking against former Duck Luca Sbisa. The teams played 4-on-4 for 21 seconds and then Vancouver had a power play for `1:39. The Canucks failed to score on the power play. Later in the period Ryan Kesler threw Ryan Hamhuis down to the ice like a rag doll and was called for roughing. Vancouver couldn’t score with the extra man and the teams remained tied 0-0 after the first period.

Second Period

Early in the second period the Ducks finally scored as Sami Vatanen launched a rocket from the blue line that beat Ryan Miller. Mike Santorelli did a great job screening Miller on the play. The lead didn’t last long as about seven minutes later Adam Cracknell scored to tie the game. Cracknell shot the puck at a severe angle from the side of the net. The puck hit Frederik Andersen’s jersey in the shoulder and deflected in. The teams battled back and forth remaining tied 1-1 at the end of the second period.

Third Period

There was no scoring in this period. The teams both sustained some good pressure, but couldn’t take the lead. There were also no penalties in this period. At one point it looked like the Ducks took the lead as the goal sounds and lights in the arena went off, but reply showed the puck hit the post. The Ducks outshot the Canucks 9 to 7 in this period.

Overtime

To begin the overtime Vancouver controlled most of the play to start. Eventually the Ducks would counter with their own pressure and get awarded a power play. The Ducks managed a couple of shots, but couldn’t get the game winner. The headed to a shoot out.

Shoot Out

Here are the video highlights of the Shoot Out. Here is the summary by shooter:

VAN: Jared McCann – Blocked

ANA: Jakob Silfverberg – Goal

VAN: Radim Vrbata – Goal

ANA: Rickard Rakell – Blocked

VAN: Alexandre Burrows – Goal

ANA: Corey Perry – Poke Checked Away