Ducks down but not out

After such an emotional win in Game 4, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks could

not match the same energy and intensity level and failed, in this

chance, to clinch a spot in the Western Conference finals on

Saturday.

The Mighty Ducks lost 4-1 to a dominate Stars in Game 5 Saturday

in Dallas.

The team appeared to be a little sluggish and goaltender J.S.

Giguere was, dare I say, a little tired.

I’ve been in Giguere’s shoes before and with the amount of

physical and mental strain, there will always be a night when you are

just a little off. For most athletes being a little off is barely

noticeable, for an NHL goalie, it is magnified. One miscue caused by

mental or physical fatigue can and does directly alter the outcome of

any game, let alone a playoff game.

No doubt a team rides heavily on its goalie and after watching

Giguere this season and during these playoffs, there is no doubt he

will be at his best for Game 6. Such is the life of an NHL goalie. We

are a creature of habit and love being the one to take on the

pressures that the position demands. No way out, you usually become

the hero or the goat.

As I watched the game, it was easy to see that Dallas had come

prepared for its last game and were going to leave everything they

had out on the ice. They were very physical and several of their key

players were finally factors in the game. Being the top team in the

West and one of the best teams in the league during the year, they

needed to make a statement. Every player knows that no matter how

successful the team is during the regular season, it is the playoffs

that count.

If the team is not successful in the postseason, changes are made.

It is that simple. Dallas certainly felt that sense of urgency and

played its best game of the series. They gave the Ducks little room

in the neutral zone to gain speed on their attacks and forced Anaheim

into more of a dump-and-chase game.

Dumping the puck into the very-capable hands of Stars goalie Marty

Turco gave Dallas the ability to make clean passes and move up the

ice from their own end with control. With this control, Dallas

finally was able to dent the armor of Giguere and, by taking a two

goal lead after the first period, were able to dictate the tempo of

the game.

As in the other games, Anaheim certainly was not out of it.

They have had the ability and the good fortune to be able to

bounce back and get themselves back into and win games they shouldn’t

have. Does anyone remember Game 2 in Dallas? This time it would not

happen, the team’s power plays came up short on several opportunities

in the first period and then gave up the back-breaking short-handed

goal late in the second. Dallas rushed up the ice on a Ducks turnover

when Mike LeClerc’s stick broke. Rookie Niko Kapanen attacked

Anaheim’s Paul Kariya, who was playing the point on the power play.

As he drove around Kariya for a shot, Kapanen’s shot deflected off of

Kariya’s stick and slid under Giguere. This goal enabled Dallas to

finally feel like they had a lead that could not be overcome.

The Ducks, with their never quit style under coach Mike Babcock,

rallied for a goal in the third by Kariya. He was able to put home a

rebound after a fantastic play on the part of Ruslan Salei. Salei

faked a defender to the ice, right in front of Marty Turco, and got a

quality scoring chance that Turco stopped with his blocker. Kariya

was on the doorstep and knocked in his third goal of the playoffs.

The rally ended there, as Dallas regained control of the game and

scored its fourth goal of the game against Martin Gerber. Gerber came

on in relief of Giguere for the start of the third period. An

excellent move that I’m sure both Giguere and Babcock agreed on. This

allowed Giguere some well deserved rest and a chance to watch things

from the bench that gives you different perspective of the team you

are playing against.

Sometimes you see a tendency from there that you didn’t from your

usual vantage point. More important, this does not allow Dallas to

feel like they were able to conquer Giguere by scoring a few more

goals. This will keep Dallas wondering if they have gotten to Giguere

or not. For a goalie, doubt in the minds of the shooters is a great

advantage and Giguere still holds that doubt over the Stars.

The Ducks will look to end the series on home ice tonight, and use

the crowds’ energy for the final push. Look forward to seeing you and

more importantly hearing you at the Pond.

Rock the Pond.