Anaheim Ducks - A look into their NHL history
The history of the Anaheim Ducks dates back to the year 1993 when a Disney movie inspired its owners to form this team. The Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim which is now known as the Centre serves as the home ground for the team.
In 1993, Paul Kariya became the number 4 draft pick. Soon, his fabulous abilities impressed many as he became one of the big players in the team. The supplement draft, a year later saw Steve Rucchin also being drafted. Other picks like Teemu and Mark Chouinard saw the Ducks put some impressive deals and ones that could be regarded as blockbuster deals.
The year 1997 saw the Ducks writing their names in the history books by making it to the playoffs for the first time. They defeated the Phoenix during the first round but later suffered a defeat at the hands of Detroit. The Detroit Red Wings later progressed to win the Stanley Cup Championship.
The following years weren’t as productive as the 1997 season and the Ducks weren’t able to put up performances compared to their earlier seasons. Their playoff drought continued for 5 years for the Ducks until they managed to reach the playoffs in 2002/03 season.
Many experts say that the decline in the Ducks was due to the fact that when players like Selanne were traded to the Sharks, the performance of other players was greatly affected. The team suffered a drought of making it top the playoffs and as the trades and decline in performances of Kariya saw their rank below by each passing season.
However, with an impressive comeback that they made in the 2002-03 season, the Ducks shocked everyone with their improved performances. They were not only a team that showed the willingness to win but along with the hard work they put in, the Ducks were rewarded handsomely. The Ducks finally showed that what they were made. They reached the playoffs and then defeated the Red Wings who were the defending Cup champions.
This first round win saw the Ducks take revenge for the defeat that they had tasted from the hands of the Red Wings and hurt them so bad that it took them almost 5 years to reach back into the playoffs again. The Ducks, after fully grabbing the opportunity, defeated another powerhouse team, the Dallas Stars. This second round victory saw the Ducks put up an impressive show and win the series after six games.
Many thought that this all was luck that had brought them here thus far. By proving all these statements wrong, the Ducks put up another splendid performance in the Western Conference finals were they demolished the Minnesota Wild’s. As a result, they reached the finals for the first time in their history.
The stage was all set for the finals but the expert opinions that they couldn’t win this time proved to be right as they lost the final to the New Jersey where they tried their utmost to bring home the Stanley Cup but failed in doing so. The finals saw the Ducks extend the series to seven games, but their hard work and devotion was somewhat less than that of the Devils who came out on top and won the Stanley Cup. In the 2002/2003 season, the Ducks were more productive with their results, which convinced the players that a title was due for them in the near future.
The Ducks search for the Stanley Cup continued. Finally in 2007, they came home with the title by defeating the Ottawa Senators. Their dominance could be seen from the fact that the final was wrapped up the Ducks in five games only. The Ducks just took a decade to win the title from the first time they reached the playoffs. They not only set new standards but also became the first West Coast team to win the title since 1925 when Victoria Cougars won the title.
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