Anaheim Ducks get first win by beating the Vancouver Canucks
The Anaheim Ducks came back from being down 3-2 in the third period to get their first win of the season by beating the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in Anaheim on Wednesday night, October 13.
Both teams took advantage of early power play opportunities with the Ducks opening the scoring through Ryan Getzlaf, who had an impressive outing, collecting his first of the season. The Canucks answered right back when Daniel Sedin scored his third goal
in as many games. A mere 17 seconds later put the Canucks ahead 2-1 when Raffi Torres scored his first goal of the season, giving the Canucks a lead which lasted until the end of the period.
Teemu Selanne's power play goal provided the the only scoring in the second period and Selanne's first of the season. Although the Ducks managed the only goal in the period, they were outshot 11-5.
The Canucks were ahead again at 5:23 of the third period when Christian Ehrhoff got his second of the season on the power play.
But the Ducks fought back to tie it three and half minutes later when Corey Perry finished off a gorgeous passing play, tipping a pass from Ryan Getzlaf past Roberto Luongo. Less than two minutes later and the Perry-Getzlaf-Ryan line were at it again, as
Bobby Ryan got his first of the season, sealing the win for Anaheim.
Although Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle was happy to get the win, he wasn't completely happy with the way his team performed.
"It wasn’t pretty...I don’t think we’re going to frame that one and say that is the way we want to play every night. But at least it’s a starting point for us. It’s been difficult for us over the first three games that we started on the road. We got our
game going as this game went on. Our players are to be credited because they were frustrated."
Getzlaf credited the atmosphere at home as being instrumental in changing the mindset of the team and helping them get the victory, "It was nice to be able to calm things down and play hockey," he said. "It didn’t matter what the score was. We’re coming
home where we’re comfortable. We love this building. The fans and everybody showed us what it’s going to be like all year. We’re excited about it."
The Perry-Getzlaf-Ryan line combined for three of the Ducks' four goals and each player scored their first of the season. There should be plenty more to come if they continue to play the way they did on Wednesday night. They have a chance to do it again
on Friday night when they host the Atlanta Thrashers.
It's been a rough start to the season for the Canucks, who are now 1-1-1. They head to Los Angeles on Friday night to take on the Kings, who beat the Canucks in Vancouver during their season opener.
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