Senators vs Ducks: Round 4, Game 1

Ducks 3, Senators 2

PRESIDENT’S 2 CENTS: Quack. After hanging on just hard enough to force extra time, the Sens literally lost by misplaced momentum. Andrej Meszaros had Rob Niedermayer lined up, but just couldn’t get enough mustard on the hit. Nieder(oscar)mayer, of course, broke free and made a hot dog of a pass over to Travis Moen, who made no mistake, beating Ray Emery in similar fashion to the Andy McDonald goal in the first period. Blame the Sens’ long layoff if you will, but the Ducks recovered nicely from two deficits to take this thing by the horns in the third and win in regulation. Perhaps the high blocked shot count (22 to the Ducks’ 13) was one of the clearest indications that the Sens, who spent most of the first and second periods limiting second chances, were on their heels. To no one’s surprise, Anton Volchenkov led the way, blocking 10 pucks. However, block of the game goes to Chris Kelly, who bravely got in the way of a Chris Pronger point shot. He took that one in the chest area … Ryan Getzlaf may have been the game’s first star thanks largely to that slick five-hole move on Razor, but he’s also still maturing in the discipline department. Did the 6-3, 211-pound power forward really think he was going to get away with three clear cross-checks on Tiny Mike Comrie? Also, don’t forget the subtle shot he took at Razor after a third-period dump-in. Think he’s pushing the zebras’ buttons? … On the subject, Razor was probably the best Senator tonight. Especially on the Anaheim power plays, he made some key stops when his team really needed it. Perhaps his most clutch stop came when Daniel Alfredsson turned over the biscuit at his own blue line, Selke finalist Samuel Pahlsson bumped him, sending in Travis Moen in alone, only to be denied by Razor’s right pad. When the hard-working captain makes a turnover like that, you know a big save to negate it is a significant one … While talking defence, you can’t broach the subject completely without mentioning Chris Phillips, who turned in another solid performance. Besides being credited with three hits and blocking three shots, Big Rig was smart in his own end too, notably on a Sens’ penalty kill following the Ducks’ momentum-stirring, tying goal when he tied up Teemu Selanne’s stick just enough to prevent a yawning 6x4 from swallowing another. Tom Preissing had chipped in minutes before with a twisting-up of the ever-dangerous Corey Perry. Defence wins championships, and the Sens will take plays like these in their back pocket … Despite scoring, Wade Redden had his struggles in his own end and didn’t hustle to enough pucks. Like Bryan Murray had said, if Wade skates, he’ll be fine. Count on it for next game …

… So the Cash Line was held to five shots, was a combined minus-3, and registered zero goals and two assists. The Ducks’ checking unit, led by Samuel Pahlsson, helped negate the three amigos, especially so at the blue line … After the second-period 5-on-3 power play, the Sens and Ducks took part in a wide-open, hit-filled, energy-sapping free-for-all. You could argue the tables turned at this point, as a two-man advantage for 95 seconds should really result in a goal. Well, it didn’t, and the Ducks forced the smaller Sens into a hit parade. Normally the Sens like to play along that way, but the consistent forecheck seemed to dwindle a bit from there on in. Twas unfortunate for Ottawa, which drew some key penalties by outhustling the Ducks early on … Mike Fisher has a hard shot. Not even Jean-Sebastien Giguere could swallow a second-period quick wrister from Slewfoot. In this case, Giggy was getting “giggly” with it. Giggy, of course, didn’t see much action all night (20 shots) and couldn’t find the biscuit on that first bunker shot which found the green. Even Mike Comrie, who was originally credited for the goal, choked up on his stick like you would on a wedge for a short chip. It was kind of funny how the Honda Center sound people played “Start Me Up” a few whistles later, followed by “Get Ready.” Well, ready Giggy wasn’t to start this one. However, he did also have his share of bad luck on the second goal, where he lost his lumber before Redden blasted in the disc. In fact, Dany Heatley appeared to subtly try to interfere with the handoff when Giggy tried to get it back from his defenceman …

… Statistician Blooper of the Night: how did Patrick Eaves, who in the first half of the game seemed to have more hits than the Beatles, not get credited with a single smack on the scoresheet? The Ducks officially outhit Ottawa 30-21, but you can bet more Ducks’ hits didn’t make it onto paper either … One player credited with three hits (and nearly a first-period goal) was veteran Ducks forward Brad May. One was on Chris Neil, who flashed that million-dollar “I’m not scared of you” smile at May (and for the cameras) during two separate stoppages … Don Cherry Suit Rating: seven out of 10. Simple, grey motif with a white shirt and red tie is classic, but yet again, simple … Good to see Mayor Larry O’Brien out at city hall joining the crowd, and big ups for taking a few minutes to meet the Prez and pose for a photo. It was one heck of a party he threw. Seemed he was quite easygoing too, as not 20 feet away, the ganja was being lit up. Might’ve been for the amusing Borat cutout, who took in the game in a Sens jersey …

… Sobering Stat of the Night: teams that win the first game of the final go on to hoist Stanley 78 per cent of the time … Playoff Beard of the Century: Scott Niedermayer … You have to wonder how many Canadians wanted to throttle the Ducks PA man for announcing that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger “will present the prime minister (Harper) with an authentic Ducks jersey” on his upcoming trip to Canada … Last but not least: Ron MacLean was quite sharp on the opening spot, referring to Schwarzenegger and Don Cherry as “future president and prime minister” with both standing right there. Now there are two would-be leaders who could really shake up otherwise boring, token photo-ops. Here’s hoping that (a) the U.S. will allow non-native citizens to run for president, and (b), that Cherry can win over the non-hockey fans in Canada. Ok, so basically Grapes could get a majority.