VIDEO: Ducks Surprise Ending To Season

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks finished up their seasoning Dallas against the Stars. The Ducks went with the same lineup as before in their game against San Jose. John Gibson started this game against Jake Oettinger.

Max Comtois opened up the scoring in this game just over 7 minutes in. Jamie Drysdale took a point shot and it looked like Vinni Lettieri might have scored, but it was Comtois that got the last touch on the puck. Anaheim held a 1-0 after the first period, shot were tied at five apiece.

In the second period, Anthony Stolarz started in net. Gibson was out with an upper-body injury and would not return. Dallas came out flying and scored two quick goals to take a 2-1 lead. Thomas Harley and Joel Hanley scored a few minutes apart.

The Ducks would tie up the game later in the period on a nice play by Adam Henrique. He got the puck behind the Dallas and then passed the puck backwards to Troy Terry who was at the side of the net. Oettinger was out of position as he thought Henrique would coming around the side of net, only to see Terry tap the puck inside the opposite post. The teams were tied at two after two, shots were 10-7 in favor of Dallas.

At the start of the third period, emergency backup goalie Thomas Hodges was in net for Anaheim. Stolarz was out with a lower-body injury. Since the Ducks were without both of their goalies they had to borrow Dallas’ emergency goalie for the final period.

The scored remained tied until halfway through the period. Trevor Zegras was called for interference and Dallas scored on the play power to take 3-2 lead. The Stars continued to hold a one goal lead until late in the game. The Ducks pulled Hodges for the extra skater, but the Stars scored in the empty net to secure the win. Dallas won 4-2.

Analysis:

In a season of ups and downs, twists and turns, it was only fitting to the Ducks finish the season with one more twist. Anaheim lost both goalies and had to go with Dallas’ backup goalie Thomas Hodges. He came out in the third period with his Dallas helmet and pads wearing a white Ducks away jersey with the number 68 and no name on it. It might have been an old Roman Durny jersey, who has worn 68 for Anaheim in preseason.

Hodges lost eyesight when he was young and didn’t think he would ever play in the NHL he told Dallas Sportscaster Michelle McMahon. Last night he saw his dream come true and he got to play in front the home crowd even though it was for the visitor. Hopefully, he will be able to get to play more games in the NHL.

As for the Ducks, what a season it was. The team started out competitive to the surprise of many and then came back down to reality. Who knew at the beginning of the season Bob Murray would resign and this would be Ryan Getzlaf‘s last season. Troy Terry also had a fantastic season nearly scoring 40 goals.

Anaheim had to deal with players out of the lineup for various reasons and still were missing players at the end of the season. Jakob Silfverberg and Max Jones couldn’t finish the season with injuries.

Some long time players and fan favorites also departed from Anaheim at the trade deadline. Nicolas Deslauriers, Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, and Rickard Rakell were all traded. It would have likely been a different trade deadline if Murray was still at the helm.

The offseason should be interesting for the Ducks, who have stockpiled draft picks. Pat Verbeek could use some of the picks to make trades. Anaheim will also have plenty of cap space to utilize. The Ducks are in a good situation as they have options with how to proceed with rebuilding this team.

Thank you everyone for the support! Here is to next season! Let’s Go Ducks!

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April 29th, 2022