The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in Game Four, taking a 3-1 lead in the series and giving themselves the chance to win the Stanley Cup in Game Five on Wednesday night.
The Ducks did it the way they’ve always done it in this series, by using their physical advantage to nullify the Senators speed, break up their transition game, hurry the Sens passing plays, hemming them in their own zone and generally just controlling the overall game.
Ottawa had the chance to win this game, and in fact in the first period appeared well on their way to doing so. They dominated the Ducks in the period, forced them into bad penalties, and if not for Ducks goalie J.S. Giguere might’ve taken a two or three goal lead into the second, rather than a 1-0 lead.
But the Ducks regain their equilibrium, the Senators lost theirs, and the game turned in the second period with Andy McDonald scoring twice in a one-minute span. Both goals were things of beauty as McDonald stickhandled the Sens defenders and goalie Ray Emery out of their respective jocks.
Hey, kids, if you’ve ever wondered if it’s worthwhile being a good stickhandler in today’s NHL, just watch the highlights of McDonald scoring those two goals.
And I don’t know what’s happened to Emery, but he wasn’t the same goalie in the last two games as he was in the first two. Perhaps he felt the pressure to win on home ice, but he just never looked comfortable playing in his home rink in this series.
If the Senators are to force a sixth game, they’ll need Emery to be at his best in Game Five.
The Sens tied it when Dany Heatley finally ended a lengthy personal scoring drought, but that didn’t rattle the Ducks. They kept coming on, and early in the third were rewarded when yet again another Sens defenseman was caught out of position, resulting in a two-on-one with Dustin Penner scoring the Ducks third and ultimately winning goal.
After that, the Ducks put on a defensive clinic, shutting down the Senators offense and controlling the rest of the game.
I don’t know about any of you, but after the Penner goal, I knew the game was over at that point. Even when McDonald gave the Ducks a 2-1 lead I still believed the Senators could recover and wasn’t surprised when they tied it.
But the Penner goal was a backbreaker and you could see it in the reaction of the Sens, who looked like they’d been collectively kicked in the nuts.
Best of all for the Ducks, they did it without Chris Pronger, suspended for Game Four after injuring Sens forward Dean McAmmond in Game Three. It was the second time in this year’s playoffs the Ducks defence had to step up to fill in for a suspended Pronger, and for the second time they were up to the challenge, as Sean O’Donnell and Kent Huskins filled in admirably.
And so it comes to this, the Ducks can win the Stanley Cup on Wednesday, becoming the first American West Coast team to do so since the 1917 Seattle Metropolitans.
For the Senators, they’ll need to play their best game of the series if they’re to force a sixth game in Ottawa on Saturday.
Given how the Ducks have controlled this series in three of the four games thus far, I don’t like the Senators chances.
Spector-What did you think about Alfie's move? Intentional or not? Suspension or not?
I think it was totally intentional, do not think he will be suspended but should be. Remember this isn't the first time Alfie has done something questionable in his career OR even in these playoffs.
It was a hard game to watch I'll tell you that. It wouldn't bother me so much that Anaheims winning except they have Pronger and Burke. I think Ottawas gonna make it to agame 7 like the past 2 Canadian teams amd lose it in a heart breaker. I'm really sick of these US small market teams whos fans don't care about the team (except for a corp of 20,000-45,000 in about every city) winning the cup.
That might be the first time in recorded history that Los Angeles (Anaheim) has been referred to as "small market"!
I know what you mean, though. Most L.A. inhabitants (TKF aside) seem to be ambivalent about their pro teams. Maybe it's just a bad stereotype. Like the one that says people from Buffalo can out-drink a fish . Hey, wait a minute...
I completely agree with your assessment of McDonald's two goals. Really special. Hard to believe that some were questioning his position on the top line earlier this year.
Alfie deservs a suspension. I am Tired of the NHL suspending players for the result instead of the Action. If Dean does not get hurt there would have been no suspension. Just like the Neil on MacDonald hit if Andy gets hurt then theres a suspension.
2. Anaheim is not a small market team. I am tired of all the Tv people sying that. The LA/Orange County TV market is different. We share the same channels. NBC is channel 4 in Los Angeles or Orange County.
3. Giggy played great but the Ducks won that game along the boards. and in the corners
4. Thadd do you still think I am crazy when I said Ducks in 5 after game 1?
Any story on the game omitting that travesty of the officiating is pure Senator propaganda. Are you angling for a job with the Sens PR department or something?
Alfredson's deliberate shooting the puck at Niedermeyer was something a pee-wee would be grounded for - a pissy-hissy-fit of the century award winner. Then he throws the only punch (which was clearly observed by a linesman) in the resulting scrum and gets off scot-free and the Ducks don't even get a power play. Anyone who needed any more evidence that the league is desperate to extend the series and placate Canadian fans need look no further.
Bettman and Campbell are turning the NHL into a bush-league.
Now I dont have a dog in this fight (unlike Mike Vick ZIIING!) but from what I've seen of this series, after only watching most of game 3 and the 3rd of game 4, The Ducks sure do get away witha lot fo obstruction. I havent seen a team that hooks, holds, hits the guys without the puck, throws elbows and knees like this since the Devils of the late '90s. I know a lot fo you Dukcs fan arent going to like it, but from waht I see, your team could be called for a penalty after almost every play. But they arent. Not only that, but in the middle of every scrum, I se a Ducks player two-fist somebody in the back.
sabreguy,
Southern California sports fans are not ambivalent about their sports. We have just as many fair weather fans as the next sports city. This is a media perception that fans view as gospel. Stereotyping LA/Anaheim fans this way is like saying all Southern Californians surf and say "dude" or people from the South ride horses and listen to Country.
bolts fan ... that is a really good point. I have noted a lot of obstruction ... stuff that was being called two series ago isn't being called now. I have noted it both ways though ... not just by the Ducks ... although the Ducks style of play lends itself to a little more of that.
I am quite disappointed in Alfredsson actually. I am convinced that was a deliberate act ... and then there was that fairly vicious crosscheck in that scramble in front that knocked off the defneceman's (Beauchemin?) helmet. That didn't get called either. If you combine them with the check from behind on Tallinder and I start to put him in the same category as Pronger ... he just isn't as big and strong as Pronger so they people he cheapshots don't get hurt.
Boltsfan-I've noticed the same thing but the Ducks aren't the only ones guilty of obstruction. The Sens have been doing it as well and as long as they don't call it either way, I'm fine with it. Both teams did a lot of it during the conference finals(Am I still bitter? maybe!) as well. The thing you've got to ask yourself is this:
If they aren't calling it either way and they are letting players get away with obstruction again, what was the point of the new rules?
The NHL needs to make up its mind, does it want new rules or do they want the clutching and grabbing? This inconsistency is really killing me!
The oversight on Alfredsson's actions were unintentional, as I was focussed more on the bigger story, that being the Ducks domination of the Senators.
I already stated my opinion of his actions in this thread, that he should be suspended for his actions but probably won't because Niedermayer wasn't injured. I've also stated that Pronger wouldn't have been suspended one game if Dean McAmmond hadn't suffered a concussion.
Pure Senators propoganda, no-name? Sheesh, do you even READ my columns? Or just skim them to see if you can find anything to whine about?
1) I fully expect Burke to go NUTS if nothing happens with Alfie. Nothing scarier than an angry Irishman with the media's ear.
2) If there is no suspension, I would be shaking in my skates as Alfredsson. Pronger will be back, and maybe they'll dress Parros. Burke is a fan of his own brand of justice.
3) It's funny to hear how Anaheim is small market with fair weather fans. I've read so many posts on multiple websites from Sens fans throwing up their hands in surender and talking about how crappy Ottawa is etc etc. After game 3, this same Senators team were World Beaters destined to bring the cup "home." That's about as fair weather as you can get.
4) Anaheim plays with an edge, and the fact that they led the league in PIMs would seem to indicate that they do get called for it. They may be getting fewer called against them, but they're still penalized more than their opponents.
5) The dives by Ottawa were incredibly embarrassing. Blatant, pathetic and embarrassing.
6) Mike Fisher should be wearing the C next season. Do yourself a favor and read up on this incredibly classy athelete who plays with heart and really gives back to his community.
7) I'm a died in blue Leafs fan till I die, and admittedly can't stand the Sens (my bias has been exposed... :)
1.) calling me 'no-name' like I'm hidng when anyone can make up any screen 'handle' they want is a silly chicken$%#@ cheapshot, as is defining anyone who disagrees with you as whiner.
2.) I always read both your column and your trade rumors and feel strongly that you are a great resource for NHL insight, that's why I take issue with your total homering on behalf of the Sens.
After game 3, there was no mention of Neil's flying elbow to the head. After last night's game, there was no mention of the Alfredsson incident in your column - only in the comments (that many don't read) here.
LGB: personally I dont understand why everybody accepts the slope that the penalty caling gets on. It seems that at the beginning of the season everything is called, but as the season goes on, the game gets looser and players get away with more. What blows my mind is the fan/writer that says "they're just preparing for the playoffs". This should be the most illogical statement of all time. In the playoffs, the penalty calling needs to be EVEN TIGHTER, not loosening up. I agree, whats the point of the new rules when they only apply until the AllStar game, and everybody hates them, then after the #### goes uncalled?
I think anyone who's read my coverage of this year's finals will find I've been fair to both teams, thus our mystery guest's claims that I'm favouring the Senators are completely unfounded.
Apparently the only basis for this claim is my oversight in mentioned Alfredsson firing the puck at Niedermayer in a post that reflected favourably on the Ducks performance in that game, plus Neil's "flying elbow" in Game Three.
As I noted, the oversight was unintentional but my focus was on the bigger story, that being the Ducks domination of the Senators. I'll let others make mountains out of molehills.
I'll bet Leaf fans are polishing up their "Krusty" signs after last night. I just couldn't believe that Alfredsson, the captain of his team, would risk a potentially game-altering penalty in the meaningless closing seconds of a period right after his team had tied the game and siezed some momentum. I was sitting there trying to imagine what Niedermayer could have said or done to make Alfie think it was a good idea.
He received no penalty, but I viewed his temper tantrum as a bad sign for his team...a loss of control. Your leader should be the most in-control man on the ice.
Boltsfan-Yeah it doesn't make much sense to me either but what are you going to do? We have idiots running the league, or at least indecisive morons. By the way, there's got to be a porn name for a hockey guy! What about Pipe-sitter or In-between-the-pipes?
Cobra- LOL! Broadstreet BlueBalls! That is awesome!
I also like the Habs with Crabs, in fact I might use that on all my Hab friends, but I have a feeling the owner of this blog is going to look down on that one...:)
Getting back to hockey.
Someone needs to tell Alfredsson that the only one you shoot pucks at are the referees. I used to love shooting the puck at them when attempting to clear the puck and then saying"OOPS".
Poor Pronger, he is a guy without an era. What he did the other night wasn't called in the old days, but back then you couldn't ask for a trade because your wife didn't like where you were, It just didn't cut it.
Game 4 really was an interesting one. The Sens had the first period (having powerplays less than a minute into it can't hurt). Really only reason the Ducks had a chance to win this is because of Giguere who is really picking a great time to become a UFA.
That shot really was important. Maybe because of it and that there was no penalty the Ducks really were fired up. Now the series heads back and the Sens are in danger of going down.
What I wonder is when there is no punishment to Alfredson will the Ducks be using this as a rallying cry. Not that they need a reason to come out strong with a chance to win the cup.
I wasn't surprised by the stunt Alfredson pulled since it seems like him to do that. At any rate looking forward to game 5. Can't say I want the Sens to win one more game so hope things get finished then.
It doesn't appear as though the Ducks used it as a rallying point in the last game, although it was suggested as such, the Ducks were clearly in control in the second period prior to Alfredsson's shot. I think the Ducks were merely carrying over their disciplined play, which I expect they'll also do in Game Five.
Let's face it, with a team as willing to drop the gloves as the Ducks (and I don't mean that in a bad way), if they'd wanted to make an issue out of it, they would've in the third period.
Burke has been oddly silent on the issue, when he was very vocal over Neil's flying elbow in Game Three. I think if the Sens had won Game Four and tied the series Burkie would've been more upset about Alfredsson, but with his team poised to win the big Cup, it's not such a big deal to him.
1. The weather is so good here in the winter that there is so many other things you can do.
2. The Kings and Ducks go head to head with the Lakers USC and UCLA. USC and the Lakers have been winning the last few seasons.
3. LA is all about having a Superstar player or players. Lakers have Kobe the Angles have Vlad. The Dodgers have the worst fanbase in baseball. All the LA Gang####ers love the Dodgers,Lakers,USC.
I garentee if the Ducks would have won the Sid the Kid sweepstakes. LA would be a huge sports market for hockey. Look what Gretzky did here.
4. It would just be worse if we had a pro football team.
Places like Buffalo and Ottawa. Your NHL team is all you have. So of course the passion is there. Well Buffalo has an NFL team if you consider the Bills a NFL team
I'll add my two cents (that is US by the way). Alffredsson won't be suspended because no one was hurt and he is the captain in what will be the final game of the series. I will say that as a former player myself that if the Ducks have a decent lead going into the last 10 minutes Alfie better be skating with his head on a swivel.
TKLovell: Your explanation of the Alfredsson situation is ####-on, in fact it also jibes with my take.
BTW, two cents American is now worth two cents Canadian. The Canadian dollar is now worth almost 95 cents US and is expected to be on par with the American dollar by summer's end.
Which, if you're the owner or GM of a Canadian based NHL team, is a great thing.
TKF: what about the raiders? We almost had a perfect season last year...
If you ask anyone in the Ducks locker room what's on their mind right now, I can pretty much guarantee nobody will answer "Daniel Alfredsson." With a 3-1 lead in the finals, I'd further wager just about everybody's thinking about game 5.
Ordinarily I would agree wirh TKL, but when the Stanley Cup is on the line, there is no way the Ducks coach is going to let his players lose FOCUS on the prime object of their quest. Maybe with 30 seconds left and a 3 goal lead. Punch him in the hand shaking line I say.
"Burke has been oddly silent on the issue, when he was very vocal over Neil's flying elbow in Game Three. I think if the Sens had won Game Four and tied the series Burkie would've been more upset about Alfredsson, but with his team poised to win the big Cup, it's not such a big deal to him."
Actually ... that is a good point but not quite accurate. During the playoffs Burke is only vocal if he needs to deflect attention from his team ... he gets out there in front of the media and draws the attention to himself. In this instance he probably hates what Alfredsson did but rather than not caring because there is only one win left it is more likely he knows it is wise to keep his mouth shut so he doesn't generate bulletin board material by appearing to gang up on Alfie.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
