In Shark infested waters

On October 3 at The Pond there will be Sharks invading our waters. Can they survive in fresh waters? The Pond's waters for that matter which will having vicious Ducks attacking. Another question comes to mind for the Ducks who's going to be in the crease?

Obviously with Hiller's performance against the Sharks helping upset the President's Trophy winners. He's a favorite to start the game in the Ducks season opener with both goaltenders performing well during the preseason. It's hard to tell which goalie had out performed the other. If you're talking in that sense, if you're trying to figure out who had a better performance during those preseason games; well good luck to you. Both goaltenders had to shake off some rust from over the summer, and Giguere had to do so more than Hiller did. None the less, they're both back at playing hockey at the highest competitive level.

Watch Giguere over the season, as people still say he's as from some fans "Giguere's good but he's getting up there you got to admit that. Last season proved he was starting to go down hill" and other various things covering the same topic on Giguere of there's been people saying, he was struggling because of his personal issues. Giguere has the ability to bounce back now that he's starting with a clean slate he's going to make better of his game. He'll prove the naysayers wrong and prove that he's still an amazing goalie. Giguere is the best goalie the Ducks have ever had having the most wins. Which he was recognized and rewarded at the March 28, 2008 game against the San Jose Sharks. In which Jonas Hiller started the game and had an unfair goal counted against him. As in, the Sharks shoved him into the net and he looked like a folding pizza box, but the goal was not waived off.

Hiller is setting himself up not to have slump right after his spectacular season. The preseason helps all the veteran players shake off the rust and younger players, especially ones who have just freshly been drafted and were lucky enough to get an invitation to their team's training camp and to even make it past the camp to have a chance to get a nice little taste of NHL ice. Hiller as with Giguere, has more to prove to himself and his confidence than he does to anyone else. Obviously proving himself to other people will come in the same category. Your worst enemy is yourself.

The goalie is the last line of defense. If his team makes a mistake he has to make up for it. If he makes a mistake he has to make up for it. This is obviously involves both Giguere and Hiller. A goalie needs to put his entire mind into the game, he cannot have his mind focused on something else other than that. He needs to be strong mentally and cannot have any other distractions.Here's a great quote from Ken Dryden:

"Because the demands of a goalie are mostly mental, the biggest enemy is himself. Not a puck, not an opponent, not a quirk of size. Him. The stress and anxiety he feels when he plays, the fear of failing, the fear of being embarrassed, the fear of being physically hurt, all the symptoms of his position, in constant ebb and flow, but never disappearing. The successful goalie understands these neurosis, accepts them and puts them under control. The unsuccessful goalie is distracted by them, his mind in knots, his body quickly follows."

When Hiller and Giguere make a mistake. When any goalie makes a mistake a red light flares on behind him spinning like a emergency vehicle's lights. Another arena, a celebratory horn sounds, rival fans screaming and hooting. The shooter and his team celebrating. When they play at home, their fans criticizing.

"The goalie is like the guy on the minefield. He discovers the mine and destroys them. If you make a mistake, somebody gets blown up."- Arturs Irbe

"Goaltender is a normal job. Sure. How would you like it if at your job, every time you made the slightest mistake, a little red light went on over your head, and 18,000 people stood up and screamed at you?"- Jaques Plante

It's hard to tell who Randy Carlyle is going to give the nod to in fact. As both are hoping they start the game, the rematch against the Sharks, they both cannot start the game. Neither Giguere nor Hiller doesn't have any information yet, who's going to start the season opener. As people give personal opinions and predictions on who's going to start the game the decision probably won't be known until Saturday the time of the game, maybe Friday. Both Giguere and Hiller are mentally ready and are anxious to finally get this regular season underway. Regardless of who will skate himself in to the blue paint on opening night. Giguere has proved in the preseason and in previous season he can be a Shark Killer. Hiller has definitely proved he can be. The Sharks don't want to face Hiller they'd probably rather face Giguere but only on a slight note. These teams know the goalie situation in Anaheim. They've played against both Giguere and Hiller and they know both a great goalies.

A goalie can end up a hero he can end up a villain to his own team' to his own fans, to himself. A goalie does not makes saves off of luck every single team maybe sometimes he does but not always

"Sometimes you get lucky but to be lucky you have to fight for it"-Jonas Hiller.


This team is going to be easy. The phrase has been heard by hockey fans and its heard too often. A team who is a bottom feeder is coined as being easy. This isn't true when a team is a bottom feeder it doesn't mean they are an easy team. They may be less competitive than they higher ranked teams but that doesn't mean that they are going to be an easy team. There is no easy game. Not only is it fans that believe they can cost into a game, which is an 'easy' team. Teams themselves have being guilty. They were looking lazy on the ice. They're laying back and not playing like they should. The Ducks have also been guilty of this.

Kings@Ducks

Goalies: Giguere/Hiller
The Ducks win Pre-season Finale against the Kings at The Pond.

The Ducks have won their season finale against the Los Angeles Kings. Giguere robbed royalty. He made saves on the likes of Davis Drewiskie and Anze Kopitar. The Ducks penalty kill really needs some work.

Giguere is scored on twice by Ryan Smyth both on power plays and Anze Kopitar. Kopitar scored one of his goals on the power play and his other on the one man advantage, after the Kings pulled Jonathan Bernier who he split the time with starter Erik Ersberg.

Corey Perry breaks the steak of the Ducks not being able to score in the first period with his third goal of the preseason. Giguere allowed four goals against him in tonight's game the most he has let by him this preseason. Giguere has improved from last year stopping more pucks and a improved glove hand. His weakest spot for the past years. His ability to rebound from a not to shabby season is nothing short of amazing. The disappointment and the high high run emotional off ice season. On the end of the season interviews after the Ducks lost to the Red Wings in game 7 Giguere stated he was going to completely forget about hockey, over the Ducks off-season.

It sure has helped him. While he and Hiller are still shaking off rust. Giguere did well this game but may be as every goalie reviewing the game to see what he can better improve on. As said, Giguere robbed royalty tonight he was like a cat quietly stalking around a house, but at times he drew notice to him by letting in back to back goals in a less than two minute span.

"The zone just doesn't come in and out, it's just something that you work and work and work. When it's time to play as well as you can, you just try to bring it."

"Francois [Allaire] gave me confidence by giving me tools to work with, a technique that's very simple to use," said Giguere, who came from Calgary for a second-round draft pick. "Whenever things go wrong or whenever things go right, I always try to stay with the same foundation. You can't change your game plan. If I give (up) two, three goals in the next game in the first period, I'm not going to change the way I play because of that." -J.S. Giguere

Scorers:
1st period:
Anaheim Ducks: Corey Perry Assists: James Wisniewski
Los Angeles Kings: Power Play Goal: Ryan Smyth Assists: Michal Handzus, Teddy Purcell
Anaheim Ducks: Bobby Ryan Assists: Corey Perry, James Wisniewski

2nd period:
Anaheim Ducks: Bobby Ryan Assists: Ryan Getzlaf
Los Angeles Kings: Power Play Goal: Ryan Smyth Assists: Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown

3rd period:
Anaheim Ducks: Power Play goal: Ryan Getzlaf Assists: Bobby Ryan, Scott Niedermayer
Los Angeles Kings: Power Play goal: Anze Kopitar Assists: Ryan Smyth, Dustin Brown
Anaheim Ducks: Joffrey Lupul Assists: Saku Koivu, Teemu Selanne
Los Angeles Kings: (pulled goalie) man advantage: Anze Kopitar Assists: Ryan Smyth, Trevor Lewis

Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson

The hype mainly over the summer. A goalie from Sweden by the name of Jonas Gustavsson currently belongs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. After taking a tour of various cities, and having many teams interested in him. It seemed his last two cities were Dallas and Toronto, liking the people in both cities. He was convinced by former Ducks general manager Brian Burke to join one of the "Original Six" in Toronto. He's definitely hyped in the media and among the fans. After having medical issues during the Leafs medical which forced him to undergo minor heart surgery. The Leafs have eased him into the game giving him one period (20 minutes) of play. He made 7 of 7 saves. Including one which will be on the highlight reels for a long time. His angle cutting is amazing. The Toronto papers before the medical incident occurred have being saying that he can be the next Brodeur. He's good but don't get that highly hyped up about him. Predicting something that early on a much more seasoned in the NHL and generally in hockey goaltender.

He's pushing veteran goalie Vesa Toskala, who didn't have his best season in the 2008-2009 campaign. Toskala, like most goalies has the ability to bounce back but as a lot of veterans. They're having a healthy competition from a younger goalie. Veterans want their starting role. They want to play a lot of games being pushed only makes them work harder to re-secure their spot. Goaltender Joey McDonald is also in the running the back up for Toskala last season. He is also fighting to keep his No. 2 spot.

Justin Pogge sent to San Antonio

Justin Pogge has been sent to the shared AHL affiliate with the Phoenix Coyotes for further development. He joins J.P. Levasseur and Timo Pielmeier

Ducks@Sharks

Goalies: Pogge/Giguere

Justin Pogge isn't going to sleep well. It's preseason but competition wise for the players, it doesn't matter. The Sharks horribly outshot the Ducks.

Justin Pogge did well as he started off in the game. This was his first full game in the preseason. His ice time adding up to 75 minutes, he first received his first ice time against the Vancouver Canucks as he split time with veteran goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere. The Ducks were horribly out-shot. In the 3rd period the Sharks outshot the Ducks 26-9.

In the first half as he first started off. Pogge seemed to be spectacular. He was like the foot soldier picking off the snipers in his alleged vicinity. He made amazing saves against the likes of Ryane Clowe, Dany Heatly, Dan Boyle and even Douglas Murray. As the game went on he had been pick pocketed by those pesky kids running wild on the train without a ticket. Except these kids, the Sharks are those greedy rich kids, who have this nice house in one of the best neighborhoods but still they're on the train picking pockets and stealing pocket watches, and wads of cash. The Ducks were like the police ignoring the kids not confronting them or just not paying attention. Ignoring the fact that there's criminals on the training stealing from the paid for passengers.

Pogge is going to have recurring nightmares for the next couple days with Douglas Murray, the Sharks defenseman who managed to score a hat trick in the Sharks 0-6 win. Evgeni Nabokov wasn't too busy as he had 15 shots on him the entire game. Yet, this guy gets the first star of the game. I guess he did get the shutout. Nabokov a much much more seasoned goaltender than Pogge is.

None of the Ducks tonight impressed me. I didn't get to see the game because it wasn't streamed but in a lot of cases the team seemed lazy, not into the game. Veterans in the likes of Scott Niedermayer, Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf did not play in tonight's game.

As it seemed in the 3rd Pogge tried to compose himself Sharks' Devin Setgouchi scores on him. There seemed to be a lot of just Pogge and the shooter in this game.

The only thing that was exciting for the Ducks side was Troy Bodie's fight with Sharks' Mike Moore and Sheldon Brookbank's fight with Sharks' Ryane Clowe. It's a good thing this is preseason, boys.


Scorers:
First Period:
San Jose: Douglas Murray Assists: Dany Heatly, Dan Boyle

Second Period:
San Jose: Douglas Murray Assists: Benn Ferriero
San Jose: Manny Maholtra Assists Jamie McGinn
San Jose: Ryane Clowe Assists: Dan Boyle, Douglas Murray

3rd Period:
San Jose: Hat Trick: Douglas Murray Assists: Scott Nichol, Mike Moore
San Jose: Devin Setoguchi Assists: Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski.

Herbert, Karpa to coach H.S. team

Guy Hebert. A goalie who has definitely gone down in Ducks history. He along with Karpa are coaching the JSerra Ice Lions who will play most of their home games at Anaheim Ice.

http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2009/09/25/karpa-hebert-to-coach-ducks-high-school-team/19401/

David Karpa and Guy Herbert comment on their new jobs

Yesss

I just had to add this. I couldn't resist and it is Ducks related....kind of. He belongs to the Ducks right ? It's Justin Pogge

Ducks@Canucks

Goalies: Hiller/Giguere

I missed 1st period was out with the family went to the beach ate at Rubys saw some guy wearing a stupid Sharks sweatshirt. Not sure why he was wearing a sweater it was 90F outside. I did purchase the NHL Yearbook at Borders at South Coast Plaza, after debating whether to get it and asking my best friend, Amanda through text.



The Ducks hand the Canucks their first preseason loss. The Anaheim Ducks handed the Vancouver their first loss in preseason. Breaking their win streak. The Canucks came from behind, as they've done before. Last night they came from behind and beat the San Jose Sharks.

Ryan Getzlaf played today his first preseason game. Getz has been out from games because of a late July surgery for a sports hernia. Hooray Getzy!

Taunting goalie chants don't work. Take it from a goalie who is constantly taunted at every arena he goes to Dallas Stars' Marty Turco, he said that the taunting does nothing but pumps him up so people stop taunting the opposing goalie. All it does is pump him up and makes him make spectacular saves. I'm mentioning this because the Canucks fans tauntingly chanted "Hillllerr, Hiilllleerrr, HHHHiiiillllleeeerrrrr" from that point as the fans were chanting, he did not allow any goals and made some great saves.

As said before I missed the 1st period so I have no idea how Hiller did that period. He must have done well because there was no scoring from either team in the first. In the second. Hiller plays the puck behind the net Henrik Sedin gets the puck and then passes it to twin brother Daniel. Daniel shoots the puck and Hiller recovers in time going down to keep the puck out of the net.

Rick Rypien can fight that's all I got to say. Ducks Ryan Carter fought right off the face off with Rypien. Rypien had the best of Carter punching quickly and getting in some good left hooks. Carter was taken down to the ice but not completely he pushed himself back up and continued to take a fair beating by Rypien. He did manage to get in some punches on Rypien. Carter, after the second time went down the refs break up the fight. 5 for fighting both boys. Carter may have chosen the wrong guy to fight with.

Sbisa looks as if he's going to get a high sticking call but Canucks' Tanner Glass roughs up Sbisa and the Ducks get a 3 on 4 power play. (Carter and Rypien in penalty box for fighting)

The game was delayed because the puck managed to wedge itself up in Ducks' Todd Marchant's pants that is just a little odd. Marchant had to fish for it up his leg probably a little awkward for him too.

Corey Perry scores the first goal of the game. Sbisa blocked a shot and Hiller again prevents the Sedins from getting a goal.
3rd period: Bobby Ryan had crashed awkwardly into the net behind Hiller knocking it off its moorings; he was skating hard with Canucks' Kyle Wellwood. Bobby took a few seconds to get up.
2 of 2 Hiller saves both shots put on by Micheal Grabner. Hiller has a kick save on Sedin and Ryan Whitney scores. Hiller tries to play the puck behind the net and gives it away and Pope scores, as Hiller is out of position. Worst goal against Hiller tonight. Hiller denies Sami Salo with his leg, kick save. There's 55 seconds left in the period the Canucks have pulled goalie Andrew Raycroft and put in Tanner Glass. Former Duck Shane O'Brien is patient his patience pays off as he scores the tying goal. The Ducks blew a 2 goal lead in the 3rd and the Canucks forced over time. Where Teemu Selanne scored the winning goal. Ducks win 3-2.

Here's another thing, I have to say Andrew Raycroft tonight had the best game I've seen him play in a long while. He kept killing the Ducks and let 2 goals past him in regulation and the game winner.

The starting role is still up for grabs, as both Giguere and Hiller in the games they started allowed two goals against. Both games were won 3-2 and as for the game against the Sharks in which Giguere started. JIGGY IS BACK!

SCORERS:
Period 1: no score

Period 2:
Anaheim Ducks: Corey Perry Assists: Brendan Mikkelson, Luca Sbisa

Period 3: Anaheim Ducks Ryan Whitney Assists: Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf
Vancouver Canucks: Pope Assists:Cropher
Vancouver Canucks: Shane O'Brien Assists: Kyle Wellwood, Tanner Glass

Overtime: Game winner Anaheim Ducks: Teemu Selanne

The KHL (Kontenial Hockey League)

The KHL seriously needs to improve on the safety for their players. Martin Kariya suffered a concussion after being hit from behind into the boards, hitting his head and then hitting his head again. They also need to get actual stretchers instead of making it look as if they're caring off a dead body. It was a little less a year ago when the Hockey World was hit by one of the most controversial deaths. The death of 19 year old Alexei Cherepanov played in the KHL. He played with hero and former NHLer Jaromir Jagr. Cherepanov was drafted by the New York Rangers. Jagr retired with the Rangers and headed over to Russia to play in the KHL. A fan posted on Youtube the disheartening scene of Cherepanov's last moments. Cherepanov's heart stopped while getting off the ice he was skating next to Jagr who was talking to him while skating off the ice. Cherepanov collapsed on the bench an hour later he died. Words from Jagr that neither team or the fans will ever forget "Wake up, Alexei. Wake up."-Jagr Russia also needs to get paramedics who stand by the entire game. In the US and Canada it is illegal for paramedics to be not on stand by at professional sporting events. The article is about Kariya.

http://thehockeynews.com/articles/28023-Another-serious-injury-raises-more-questions-about-medical-protocol-in-Kontinental-League.html

Giguere vs. Hiller most likley to carry on

A goalie situation that make teams around the league jealous between two great goalies, who are fighting for the No. 1 spot is expected to continue throughout preseason and carry into the regular season. Two goalies who can get something done. Hiller, the guy who shined and took over Giguere's job within the regular season and into the playoffs versus the Sharks and the Red Wings helping upset the Sharks in Game 6 and taking the then defending Stanley Cup Champions all the way to Game 7. Finally, we have a legitimate rivalry with the Sharks. Saying if you're the type of person to go off the playoff way. Rather than just being rivals because it's the whole Southern California vs. Northern California competition. The Playoffs between the Ducks and Sharks definitely helped California hockey.

Coach Randy Carlyle doesn't see a clear path to see what goalie he wants to go with:

“I think it’s always going to carry (over), until somebody clearly distinguishes themselves over the other,” Carlyle said (Orange County Register. Curtis Zupke)


The Ducks probably have one of the best goalie tandems in the league. If you're a person to go off statistics here is the stats within the ice time played: (Stats from Zupke's article http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2009/09/22/hiller-vs-giguere-likely-to-go-on/19183/ )

Giguere has a 2.67 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 90 minutes of action. Hiller has a 2.70 GAA and .909 save percentage in 89 minutes.

Giguere and Hiller who are very supportive over one another. Showed it in Training Camp. As Giguere was on one side of the ice and Hiller on the other. Teammates had a shootout type drill and scrimmages. Each time Giguere or Hiller made a save in support they'd (Giguere/Hiller) enthusiastically hit their sticks against the ice. The obvious chemistry on and off the ice shows for the goaltenders and most likely makes it a lot more comfortable. As goalies, they're going to get along for the most part being on the same team they're going to get along. As people say "Goalies are a whole different breed," well they probably are. Hockey players, in my opinion are a whole different breed. In the United States especially on the West Coast the players and/or fans are a different breed.

Of course, not all goalies get along at all times. Irritating one another during game time there's goalie fights; now that goalies have tougher rules enforced on them the occasions are rare, which compared to the past has calmed goalies aggressive wise . After the lockout they can't go out and play the puck they have a "trapezoid" behind the net in which they're allowed to handle the puck from New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur found that this rule was mainly targeted at him. Since he handles the puck so fluently and he did/does it often in games.
Both Hiller and Giguere have also handled the puck. Pete Peeters, the Ducks newest goalie coach after Francois Allaire left to go to Toronto and with Burke (The Toronto Ducks) after he served the Ducks for 13 years. Allaire also worked with Hiller since he was 16 years old. Has also worked on puck handling drills.

Pete Peeters seems to be the right choice for both Giguere and Hiller, a good replacement for Allaire.

We have the net covered well for the next 10 years with our goalie prospects and the goalies who serving right now.


The Ducks make teams jealous with their ongoing goalie issue. Many teams wish they had TWO goalies who delivered like this.

Oct 3: Gigure, Hiller, and Pogge/ Tonight's game vs. Sharks

GOALIES: Giguere/Pogge
SHARKS: 2 DUCKS: 3

Alright, Justin Pogge again didn't play. Hopefully he gets into a game he actually gets ice time.
It really doesn't help that these games aren't televised even if it is just preseason
Giguere did well tonight, he saved 23 of 25 shots, robbing the Sharks of goals and a better improvement on his glove hand. Giguere got a penalty for delay of game in the first period giving the Sharks a power play.
The Sharks' Ben Ferreiro scored on the opportunity. The second Giguere continued to have his best game in the pre-season and best game in a long while. Giguere definitely has his confidence. People have said, he's not going to do well this year, a lot of people are throwing him under the bus already. He had played in the loss against Vancouver along with Justin Pogge, who evenly split the time with 30 minutes each. Continuing for the second Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov went Hollywood to pull a penalty for goaltender interference on Mike Brown. A minute later, the Sharks Devin Setguchi gets a penalty. The Ducks and Sharks are 4 on 4 no one scores. The Ducks are on the Power Play for 60 seconds. Corey Perry scores to put the Ducks up on the board and his first goal of the preseason. Giguere stops all the shots that come his way, he again robs the Sharks of possible goals.
In the 3rd period Giguere starts off well and continues to do well throughout the period. The Sharks get a penalty and the Ducks' Teemu Selanne scores not too long after Teemu's goal his first goal of the preseason. Not too long after Ducks James Wisniewski scores making it 3-1. Less than a minute in the period and Nabokov pulled for the extra man advantage, the Sharks' Marc-Eduard Vlasic scores cutting the Ducks lead to one. 15 seconds later the game ends and the Ducks beat the Sharks 3-2. Late in the 3rd Bobby Ryan fights Sharks' Jamie Mcginn who didn't like the hit on teammate Corey Perry.

SCORERS:
1st period
San Jose: Power Play goal: Ben Ferreiro. Assists: Joe Thornton, Frasier McLaren.

2nd period:
Anaheim:Corey Perry Assists: Bobby Ryan

3rd period:
Anaheim: Power Play goal: Teemu Selanne Assists: Saku Koivu
Anaheim: Short-handed goal: James Wisniewski Assists: Petteri Nokelainen, Andrew Ebbet
San Jose: Extra Man advantage: Marc-Eduard Vlasic



____
Justin Pogge is supposed to be playing in the opener in an installment of "The Battle of California" against the San Jose Sharks. The Ducks who upset the Sharks in Game 6 of the first round playoffs, the President's Trophy Winners (most points in the NHL) The Sharks were one of best teams in the NHL and the best in the Western Conference. The Ducks had just barely made it to the playoffs securing the No. 8 spot the Sharks had the No. 1 spot. The cameras scanned the Sharks bench players shaking their head in disappointment. Joe Thornton took a drink from his Gatorade water bottle and promptly threw it down onto the ground. The Ducks went onto the second round to play the Detroit Red Wings, a team the Ducks have a very heated rivalry with. Hiller helped to the Ducks to Game 7: a emotional game. Daniel Cleary scored the winning goal with about four minutes left in the 3rd period Cleary celebrated on his back. Hiller talked to the ref which he does rarely, saying how it should of been goaltender interference Hiller was holding back tears; the Ducks couldn't tie it up. Detroit blocked shots, prevented the Ducks from getting many shots on goal, and Chris Osgood stopped every one that came his way. The cameras scanned over the excited celebrating Red Wings on the ice to the disappointed Anaheim Ducks bench.
Ryan Whitney had his hand over his face with his head down. Giguere was comforting a crying Hiller.

As I started, Justin Pogge is rumored to be in the regular season game opener against the Sharks. I'm not sure we will play all three goalies. If Pogge is promised to play, I wouldn't think we'd play all three but I guess it is possible to do so. If we play two of our goalies, who would be the starter? Giguere or Hiller. Hiller who's nick name by fans consists of Hiller the Killer had the name Shark thrown in front of killer to make Hiller the Shark Killer. This is a matter how well both Giguere and Hiller do in the preseason.

Timo Pielmeier to San Antonio

The Ducks made more roster moves again. Timo Pielmeier along with Matt Beleskey and Dan Sexton have been sent down to San Antonio, I guess he's not going to play against the Sharks. San Antonio is the main affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes, the Ducks currently do not have a American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate for the 2009-2010 season. After ending their affiliation with the Iowa Chops, who did not meet financial terms wit the AHL. The Dallas Stars owned the team previously, but by a different name. The Iowa Stars. Dallas did not have an affiliate after ending their relationship with Iowa. The Stars now have a team centered in Texas called the Texas Stars.

So Justin Pogge really is the No 3 goalie. I wonder if he will play against San Jose as said before, he did not receive any ice time in the loss against Los Angeles he was paired with Jonas Hiller.

Justin Pogge is the only rookie goalie among the invitees who is still up in the NHL for the Ducks.

Goalies:
Giguere, Jean-Sebastien (age: 32 Born May 16, 1977)
Hiller, Jonas (age: 27 Born February 12, 1982)
Pogge, Justin (age 23 Born April 22, 1986)

Tim Lincecum pitches tonight's game.

Tim Lincecum pitches against the Dodgers tonight.

Lincecum is an unbelievably great young pitcher his ability to pitch and win against the Dodgers in nearly all of his starts is amazing. As a Dodgers fan I hate seeing him on the mound against Los Angeles. The Dodgers have yet to win against him this year. Lincecum won the Cy Young award last season, which rocked fantasy baseball team owners to clamor for him even more this season.

Other than the fact that he looks like he's 12, he was born on June 15, 1984 (25 years old) He throws hard for his size, he stands at 5'11 making him one of the smallest on the Giants.And then you have Randy "The Unit" Johnson standing at 6'10 he towers over some of his teammates and makes the teammates over 6' look small next to him.

Tim Lincecum's record is 14 wins and 5 loses in his 2009 season starts.
Randy Wolf pitches for Dodgers. Randy is 10-6

Justin Pogge

Does he have a better chance of developing here with Anaheim than he did with Toronto? I sure think he does. Maybe I'm just being too much of a homer for the Ducks, but I think he'll have a much better chance in developing his NHL skills. He's prompted to be the No 3 goalie, behind J.S. Giguere and Jonas Hiller. However, he seems to being pushed by Timo Pielmeier for the No 3 spot. Pielmeier has had the most time so far among Levasseur and Pogge. Pogge getting in 30 more minutes he first received in the loss against Vancouver. He allowed one goal against in the 3rd. Giguere allowed two goals against the second one he had absolutely no chance of stopping. It's hard to tell if he could of saved the first one or not. He looked like he was pretty much screened on the first one.

I didn't get a chance to listen to last nights game and I know Pielmeier and Leveasseur played, but I'm not exactly sure how well either of them played. Haven't gotten the chance to even see Levasseur play, when he was called up for games missed those too.


Alright scratch that I said that J.S. Giguere was going to play Jiggy didn't play tonight.

It was Jonas Hiller and Justin Pogge.

Justin Pogge didn't get to play this game which I'm a little upset because he needed ice time in order to match up with Pielmeier in a healthy competition wise.

Jonas Hiller allowed three goals against on a total of 26 shots but all 26 aren't necessarily shots on goal (SOG)

Goal Scorers:
1st period LA Kings: Power Play goal Brayden Schenn younger brother of Toronto's Luke Schenn
2nd period: LA Kings: Ryan Smyth, Brayden Schenn (2)
Anaheim Ducks: Saku Koivu (Assists: Teemu Selanne, Corey Perry)
3rd: LA Kings: Empty Net Anze Kopitar

Kings win 4-1.

In the second period; 11 of 13 shot on goals saved by Jonathan Bernier brother of Vancouver's Steve Bernier. 12 of 15 shot saved by Jonas Hiller.

Goaltender J.P. Levasseur was sent down to the Minors, he was sent to San Antonio, along with 5 other players.Some sent to separate teams

Ducks make more Roster Moves

I'm assuming Jiggy and Pielmeier are going to start against the Sharks? I like saving Piemeier to play against his former team. Who didn't have him play is going to be interesting at least I hope he plays against the Sharks, it's Jiggy's turn to play a game as well. Pogge also needs a game he actually plays in.

Don't get me wrong I love Hiller, but he should of only gotten at most 40 minutes and Randy Carlyle should of played both goalies in tonight's game. Hiller didn't have too great of a night; of course, I am not sure how our defense really did since I did not see the game only listened to it, but Hiller had a better game against the Coyotes on opening night than he did against Los Angeles.

REMAINING ROOKIE GOALIES:
PIELMEIER, TIMO
POGGE, JUSTIN

Timo Pielmeier impressing.

A young prospect goalie acquired by the Ducks from the Sharks in exchange for Travis Moen (signed with the Montreal Canadiens) and Kent Huskins (signed with the San Jose Sharks) at the trade deadline last season. Timo Pielmeier was a goalie, who both Doug Wilson and Bob Murray believe has high value. As a common complaint with some Sharks fans, Wilson has a tendency to trade off prospects who would probably fit well with the Sharks in the future.

Timo Pielmeier was born July 7, 1989 (20 years old) he still has plenty of time to work out the knots in his NHL career.

He's definitely promising we'll have to give him more time than just the 30 minute segments which goalie has in his NHL preseason game.

Timo Pielmeier played last night against the Coyotes along with J.P. Levasseur, a goalie who has been called up in the past to replace one of the goalies who went down. Timo Pielmeier also played with Jonas Hiller the opener in preseason, against the Phoenix Coyotes. Hiller also wonderful and in the speaking of Pielmeier he saved 27 out of 28 shots. Both Hiller and Pielmeier only allowed one goal against each.

Tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. Giguere and Pogge are playing with each other again

Justin Pogge and J.P. Levasseur each have 30 minutes to their name. In fact, Timo Pielemeier had the most ice time among goalies. Timo Pielmeier 60 minutes, Hiller 30 minutes combined J.S. Giguere 3o minutes, Justin Pogge (rookie) 30 minutes, J.P. Levasseur (rookie) 30 minutes. Marco Consineau has been sent down to the minors he did not get the chance to play in an NHL game.

Justin Pogge will have 60 minutes to his name after tonight same with J.S. Giguere.

Goalie time breakdown.

vs. Phoenix Coyotes Opening night (Sept 16, 2009):

Hiller 30 minutes
Pielmeier 30 minutes

vs. Vancouver Canucks (Sept 17, 2009):

J.S. Giguere 30 minutes
Justin Pogge 30 minutes

@Phoenix Coyotes (Sept 18, 2009):
J.P. Levasseur 30 minutes
Timo Pielmeier 30 minutes

Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees

Photo by: John Munson/The Star-Ledge
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada (20) and Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Carlson (39) were both suspended and fined for their roles in Tuesday night's brawl.




A fight or more over a scuffle happened between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees, the Yankees one of the most classless teams in baseball with. Why? One time, the Yankees were playing the Anaheim Angels and the Angels were at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees play the Jeopardy song when the catcher goes and talks to his pitcher not only does this go for the Angels, but it goes for ever team the Yankees play at home. Way to go, Yanks!

As for mentioning these two teams:

Yankees' catcher Jorge Posada and Blue Jays' pitcher Jesse Carlson were suspended, as of yesterday (Wednesday. September 16, 2009) for starting a brawl at homeplate. Posada thought that Carlson was in the way, instead of avoiding him he brushed against Carlson. Jim Joyce, the homeplate empire of the game ejected Posada. Carlson screamed at Posada as he was headed back to the dugout. Obviously, Carlson didn't like being pushed out of the way, when clearly Posada had more than enough room to avoid Carlson rather than brushing against him to push him out of the way, so he could be on his way. Posada whipped around and charged Carlson. The dugouts and bullpens of both teams cleared involving themselves in the altercation at home plate, which Carlson and Posada had started.

The teams were calmed by umpires. Both Carlson and Posada were suspended three games, as of yesterday, and fined $3,000.




Source of story in type: http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/09/ny_yankees_jorge_posada_toront.html

The Ducks Goaltending

Which represents as of our NHL goalies J.S. "Jiggy" Giguere and Jonas Hiller "The Killer"

While I won't crunch numbers lets look at last season:

J.S. Giguere wasn't exactly, let say making fans feel too good about him, he was struggling and when every Ducks fan knows he really takes off in December. Here's an issue he's been through a lot of emotional pain since 2003 his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and when in 2007 shortly before the Stanley Cup playoffs in April his wife, Kristen, gave birth to their son Maxime Olivier Giguere. Maxime prompted to be a healthy baby was born with a deformed eye, doctors told the Giguere's he's completely blind in his (left) eye. The Giguere's had a successful surgery for Maxime and the Giguere's have enrolled Maxime in the Tustin Blind Children's Learning Center. He's a healthy and active child then in 2009 came the death of his father Claude who was a prison guard and said to be in the Canadian navy.

With J.S. I have a lot of confidence in him regaining his No. 1 spot back. Just because he had one bad season doesn't make him a bad goalie, it doesn't make him washed up, or whatever other terms are used for him. If JS were to be traded he would of probably been dealt over the off-season. Giguere has had no intentions of leaving the Ducks another reason is Giguere is making 6-7million this season and the team wouldn't pay him that much as a back-up.

Jonas Hiller: Amazing in the remaining games of the regular season and the series against both the Sharks and Red Wings has first NHL playoff appearance. He helped beat the Sharks in six games and took the Red Wings to a Game 7 where Dan Cleary scored celebrating on his back, a harsh memory to remember. Hiller was comforted by Giguere and teammates after the loss. Hiller costs considerably less than Giguere does at 1.3million. Hiller was definitely able to shine while Giguere struggled and attended to personal problems throughout the season. I am hoping we lose neither goalie but what will have to be foreseen is the Deadline trade, if Giguere gets more of a "back up" spot playing less games and minutes than he wants to he waive his No Trade Clause, which he signed in 2007. With Hiller, he may also walk on that day, with the loss of Allaire and someone who grew basically grew up with him. Hiller may be looking more into that fact. Giguere had been rumored to go to Toronto but former Ducks General Manager signed Jonas "The Monster" Gustvasson. A goalie who has extremely high expectations, chosing Toronto over Dallas. Hiller is also feared by fans to have a "sophomore slump" passing through his regular season even if he did play a few games in the 2008-2009 season, he did not play enough to be considered a sophomore. Hopefully both goalies keep up the hard work and well have to see how this situation unfolds in the near future.