Ducks Blow Early Lead; Mrazek Injured

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks traveled to Chicago for the first of a back-to-back games on the road. Petr Mrazek was in net against Spencer Knight.

The Ducks jumped on the Blackhawks early with two goals by Cutter Gauthier and Olen Zellweger in the first 47 seconds of the game. Troy Terry found Gauthier at the left circle and he scored with a wrist shot just 15 seconds after the puck drop. Zellweger then scored 32 seconds later after he got to a rebound and beat Knight.

Chris Kreider deflected a shot by Beckett Sennecke just over halfway through the first period to make it 3-0 Anaheim.

Chicago got on the board late in the first period when Tyler Bertuzzi scored off a deflection on the power play. Anaheim led 3-1 after the opening 20 minutes.

Ryan Greene scored on a 2-on-1 early in the second period to get Chicago within one. Connor Bedard found him on the rush and Greene beat Mrzaek with a wrist shot.

Colton Dach then scored on the power play with just over seven minutes to go in the middle frame. The teams were tied at three after two periods.

The Ducks appeared to take the lead just over four minutes into the third period. Alex Killorn scored while shorthanded, but a replay showed the play was offside nullifying the goal.

Connor Bedard then scored halfway through the third period to give Chicago their first lead of the contest.

The Ducks pulled their goalie with the final minutes and Bedard scored again to make it 5-3, which was the final score.

Analysis:

The Ducks got off to a fast start with two goals in the first 47 seconds of the first period. Anaheim even built the lead to three goals just over 10 minutes into this this one, but then couldn’t hold on to win. Anaheim had a 3-1 lead after the first period, but it was all Chicago after that. The Blackhawks scored twice in the second and third period to win 5-3.

Anaheim was the better team at even strength with 26 shots on goal to 18 for Chicago. The Ducks posted a CF% of 52.94% and FF% of 50.77%. The special teams belonged to the Blackhawks and proved to be the difference. Chicago scored twice in four power play attempts. Anaheim didn’t score on their two man advantages. The Ducks penalty kill has struggled this season and Anaheim has taken unnecessary and untimely penalties.

Head Coach Joel Quenneville on the loss, “I think after we got the 3-0 lead, we didn’t do what made us successful. We got careless with the puck and (thought) we could do whatever we wanted to do, and that changed. Whatever word you want to use. Certainly disappointed. That was one that you get it out of your mind because it could haunt you.”

Team Notes/Stats:

The first two goals were the fastest to begin a game in Ducks history. The previous mark was held by Corey Perry and Patrick Eaves, who scored 1:37 into the game on March 28, 2017.

Mrazek left the game in the third period with a lower-body injury and Ville Husso finished the game. There was no update on Mrazek after the game.

Sennecke assisted on the Kreider goal extending his point streak to seven games.

The Ducks were 8-0-0 when scoring the first goal.

What’s Next?

The Ducks face the St. Louis Blues tomorrow at 5PM.

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Nov 30th, 2025