VIDEO: Sam “Steels” The Show In Vancouver

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks started their final road trip of the season in Vancouver. John Gibson was in net against Jacob Markstrom.

First Period

The Ducks started out the contest with the first four shots on goal. About halfway through the period, Sam Steel would get a breakaway and bury it behind Markstrom. Jake Virtanen would answer for the Canucks. He would backhand the puck toward the net and it would redirect off Cam Fowler‘s skate before ending up in the net. The Ducks would get a couple of good chances in the final minutes, including a good chance by Keifer Sherwood, but it would be the Canucks who would get the next goal and lead 2-1 the end of the period.

Second Period

Josh Manson would get called for roughing early in the period and the Ducks were able to kill off the penalty. Anaheim would then get a power play chance, but couldn’t convert. The Ducks would tie it up on another goal by Steel. Kiefer Sherwood would take a shot and Steel would get to the rebound, shooting it past Markstrom. Later in the period, the Ducks would get awarded a penalty shot after Vancouver pushed a broken stick to disrupt an Anaheim pass. Steel took the penalty shot and beat Markstrom top shelf for the hat trick. The Ducks led 3-2 after two periods of play.

Third Period

Adam Henrique had a good chance to start the period, but he shot it just wide. The Ducks would then get a power play and Rickard Rakell would rocket one over Markstrom’s shoulder to make it 4-2 Anaheim. Sherwood extended the lead to three goals after he got to a loose puck and flung it past Markstrom. It looked like Anaheim might cruise to a victory, but Vancouver didn’t let up. They scored two more times in just under a minute to pull within one. The Canucks pulled their goalie in the final moments of the game, but the Ducks were able to hang on for the 5-4 victory.

Analysis

What a night for Sam Steel as he records a natural hat trick in the first two periods of the game. The Ducks played a solid road game despite the late rally by the Canucks. Sherwood had a goal and an assist. Troy Terry had an assist in this contest and Rakell remained hot with another goal. The Ducks season is coming down to its final days and the team won’t be going to the playoffs, but next season should be exciting with all the new young talent Anaheim’s possesses.

Team Notes/Stats

Steel’s hat trick is the first by a Ducks rookie since Bobby Ryan did it in 2009. He is also the youngest Ducks player to record a hat trick.

The Ducks were officially eliminated from the playoffs last night. It’s the first time they will miss the postseason since 2012.

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March 27th, 2019