Duck ala Orange anyone?

HFNHL Red Wings

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Orange County, California – With the Ducks having stolen game one in Detroit the series now shifts back to Anaheim with the Ducks holding home ice advantage in what is now a best of five series.

Game one was two games in one as the Wings stormed out of the gates with Brendan Shanahan recording the teams fastest ever playoff goal only 36 seconds into the first period. The team outshot the Ducks 14-6 in the opening frame but thanks to some heroics from Sean Burke the Wings only came out with a 2-1 lead.

The second period was much more physical and with a few penalties called before a questionable cross checking call on Shanny resulted in him getting a double minor and game misconduct. In was while killing the double minor that Chris Clark scored the lone goal of the period short handed.

The short handed goal and 3-1 lead could have been a game breaker but the Ducks instead came out strong in the third period outshooting the Wings for the first time in the game and tying the game up to send it to overtime.

Heading into OT Detroit fans were still a fairly confident bunch as the team had only lost in OT once all season. In a city where it is not uncommon to see Octipi thrown on the ice during the playoffs it was somewhat amusing to see the ‘Squid’ (Mike Cammalleri) score the winning goal to add to his three assists on the other Ducks goals.

Sean Burke was named the games second star as stopped an incredible 37 of 40 shots.

In game 2 the Wings rebounded and absolutely smothered the Ducks top line as only Tony Amonte registered a single shot on net for the line.

The Ducks did get off to a good start in game 2 as Sami Kapanen scored only 50 seconds into the first. It was not until mid way through the first when the Wings scored twice on the powerplay and went on to add two more for a 4-1 first period lead.

The second period again saw Sean Burke shine for the Ducks as the Wings outshot them 15-2 but were only able to get one more past Burke.

The third period was a nervous one for Wings fans as they again saw their team come out flat with the Ducks outshooting them 10-5. Fortunately Lundy was up to the task but seeing their team only put in a 40 minute performance for the 2nd game in a row has many fans justifiably concerned heading to Anaheim.

With game 3 on tap for tonight there are roster questions for both teams. At today’s practice Vladimir Malakhov and Jim Dowd were practicing hard while Travis Green was noticeable absent and some wonder whether the Wings are planning on going with seven defenceman or inserting Jim Dowd in Green is not playing.
For the Ducks the question is which is whether to go with a fatigued Sean Burke or hope Markkanen can hold the fort for a game and rest Burke up for what could be a seven game series.

Stevie Wiserman
Winged Wheel Warrior
 
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