Saturday, April 19, 2008

Ducks push back


The Stanley Cup champions aren’t quite ready to be pushed out of the way just yet. With their playoff lives on the line Friday night, the Anaheim Ducks provided a convincing statement that the duck hunt isn’t going to be a cake walk for the Dallas Stars.

Returning to their crashing, bashing style of play made famous in last years march to Stanley, the Ducks totally dominated the Stars to claim a 5-2 victory and to claw their way back into the series for their second win. Dallas which had the chance to bring a quick end to Anaheim’s defence of their Cup could not pick up the fourth and final win at a hostile Honda Centre.

Despite allowing the visitors more than enough opportunities on the power play, the Anaheim power play proved to be up to the job Friday as they shut down Dallas for all seven opportunities on the night.

Anaheim on the other hand converted two of their three extra man advantages, finally finding some life in their power play at a key time in the series. The win prolongs the series to a game six Sunday in Dallas.

If the Stars want to avoid the need to travel to Anaheim they had best take down the Ducks on Sunday, should Anaheim tie the series up in game six, all the momentum shifts to them while the pressure will rest on Dallas.


Los Angeles Times-- Giguere lifts Ducks over Stars
Dallas Morning News-- Dallas Stars can't bag Ducks
Dallas Star Telegram-- Stars fail to close Duck season
Globe and Mail-- Ducks stay alive
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NHL.com-- Stats Pack

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