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Anaheim Ducks defeat San Jose Sharks 1-0. Neither team played since Saturday. However with the Ducks had an excuse: they played two in Europe. The Sharks opened the season at home last Saturday and has rested since then. So what’s their excuse?
The Sharks actually started out looking crisper than the Ducks who didn’t get their first shot on goal until halfway through the first period, a short-handed shot at that. But with vertigo in his past, Ducks netminder Jonas Hiller proved why he was an All Star last season recording 31 saves and killing all four Sharks power-plays and recording his first shutout of the season.
On the other side of the ice, Sharks starting goaltender Antti Niemi was still on the shelf after getting a cyst removed from his knee during the preseason. The Ducks had Thomas Greiss to contend with. Despite that respite, the top line of Ryan Getzlaf flanked by Bobby Ryan and reigning Rocket Richard and Hart Memorial Trophy winner Corey Perry remained scoreless early in this season. In fact the second line of Jason Blake-Saku Koivu-Teemu Selanne also remained scoreless.
The game’s lone goal came after the second television timeout of the first period. Maxime Macenauer won the faceoff in the Ducks’ zone with Sheldon Brookbank making a two-line outlet pass to Brandon McMillan just outside the Sharks blue line. After McMillan took the puck to the boards right outside the right circle, he dished it along the boards to George Parros behind the net. Parros found Macenauer just outside the crease, dished off the puck and score. Macenauer after winning the faceoff scored the first goal of his NHL career.
If the Ducks can get enough good play from their very youthful third and fourth lines, they’ll be a nightmare to deal with once the first two lines start scoring. For those of you counting, three games, three goals, four points, 2-1-0 record and hopefully the rust shaken off.
After the game Blake was taken to the emergency room after a severe cut on his left forearm late in the game.
TONIGHT’S ACTION
LA Kings at Philadelphia Flyers. 4:00 p.m. FSWest, AM 1150 KTLK.
