The 6-0 Beatdown

        First and foremost, I would like to apologize for not updating the blog after the 4-1 loss against the Predators on Wednesday. I didn't see any of the game, with the exception of the last 4 minutes, where I got to watch Shea Weber's ridiculous empty netter from the Nashville defensive zone. Judging from the boxscore, we got a taste of what Jonas Hiller provided for the Chicago Blackhawks last Monday. The scoreboard might have said 4-1, but it wasn't that bad, and Pekka Rinne really won that game for Nashville. It would have been nice to keep the win streak alive, but games like that happen, and we managed to bounce back very nicely against Columbus last night. 
         A 6-0 domination of a conference opponent is always great, and gaining two points, along with taking two points away from a team we will likely be battling with for a playoff seed, is even greater. Teemu Selanne and Bobby Ryan were big contributors on the scoresheet with a pair of goals each, but here is my choice for player of the game:

Matt Beleskey played one of his best games of the season. He was started on the 4th line, but was quickly moved up to the top line with Ryan and Perry. He was good on the forecheck, was skating hard, and really sealed the game with a huge goal to take the 3-0 lead. Beleskey leaped off the bench, slapping his stick on the ice calling for the puck. Newcomer Max Lapierre hit Beleskey with a pass right in his wheel house, and Beleskey ripped a one-timer past Chris Mason. It was such a nice shot, I thought it was Bobby Ryan initially.

"What is going on?" Moment of the Game:

I was very surprised that neither Teemu Selanne or Bobby Ryan were on the ice in the final 2 minutes, with each of them having a shot at a hat trick. I realize that the game was already in hand, and there was no reason to risk an injury to either of our stars, however, hat tricks are a big deal. Teemu has had 21 in his career, and I doubt he is really itching for 22. But I see hat tricks as something that sets the game of hockey apart from the other professional sports. A hat trick at home, in front of your fans, will definitely help put some butts in the seats. Particularly in Orange County, where you likely getting a lot of people in the arena that are not die hard hockey fans, it's important to instill fun, exciting memories in people's minds, and there aren't too many things cooler than 100 hats being thrown out onto the ice.
        The Ducks have been looking great lately, and are starting to make me believe there is some hope for the post season. Tomorrow will be a great test against the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks are an interesting team, with an extremely deep and talented group of forwards, but with big questions on their blueline and in net. Tomrrow's key to the game for Anaheim will be a strong and physical forecheck. The San Jose defenders will crumble if our forwards run them down like they have been doing this whole homestand. Looking forward to a big Pacific Division battle, Go Ducks.