Ducks Rally, But Fall In OT

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks started their eight-game homestand against the Nashville Predators. The Ducks went with the same lineup that earned a 3-1 win against Calgary in their last game. John Gibson got the start again in net and he squared off against Juuse Saros.

Recap

The Ducks got the first power play of the game, but couldn’t convert. Anaheim was able to only get one shot on goal with the man advantage.

The Predators then got a power play as the Ducks were called for too many men on the ice. Philip Tomasino‘s took a shot in the right face-off circle and it deflected off White’s stick into the back of the net.

Nashville added to their lead as Tommy Novak would score from the slot. He used White as a screen and shot the puck between his legs and then it beat Gibson over the shoulder.

The Ducks then answered back with a goal by Mason McTavish. Max Jones created a turnover at center ice and then was able to get the puck to McTavish as he had to fight off a Nashville defender. McTavish took the pass and beat Saros over the shoulder.

Anaheim tied the game up just over 5 minutes into the second period. Frank Vatrano took a quick shot that beat Saros under the cross bar and hit the backbar behind the cross bar. The puck came out so quickly, it wasn’t called a goal at first. A few seconds later and the ref stopped play and deemed it a goal.

Tempers flared towards the end of the period. Jones and Jeremy Lauzon dropped the gloves

The Preds reclaimed the lead early in the third period. Kiefer Sherwood scored from behind the net. He threw the puck towards the net and it hit Gibson’s back and bounced into the net.

Nashville would add an insurance marker as Yakov Trenin would score from the slot. Smith got the puck behind the net and threw it through the crease. The puck ended up on Trenin’s stick and he buried his chance to make it 4-2 Nashville.

Things looked bleak for the Ducks, but they didn’t give up and rallied to tie the game. White found Terry with a cross ice past and he shot the puck in a partial open net to make it a 4-3 game.

McTavish then tied the game with just 26 seconds to go. Cam Fowler took a wrist shot that was blocked and the rebound sat in the slot. McTavish got to the loose puck and was able to flip it past Saros.

The game ended in a 4-4 tie and bonus hockey would be needed to determine a winner. In the extra session, the teams traded odd man rushes and ultimately Novak would score to give Nashville the win.

Analysis:

The Ducks got down early in this one and it appeared it might be a long night, but they fought back. Anaheim was able to get a goal late in the first period and then another tie things up by the end of two periods. Nashville then appeared to pull away in the third period, but Anaheim was able to score twice in the final minutes to force overtime.

The ending was a roller coaster of emotions. It looked like Anaheim might lose in regulation, but then was able to really to force overtime. Then in the extra session the Predators scored right away and the Ducks still ended up losing. It was good to see the Ducks rally from an early 2-0 deficit and then try to comeback late in the game when down by two goals again. It may be a lost season, but it’s great to see the Ducks are still showing heart and willingness to compete.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the New York Islanders on Wednesday at 7 PM.

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March 13th, 2023