That wasn’t a typo… George Parros, the Ducks’ enforcer (and definitely one of their most popular players) scored two of the Ducks’ five goals (their top scorers, Perry, Getzlaf, & Ryan scored the other three). The fans clearly wanted Parros to get the hat trick and were even chanting his name with four minutes to go in the game. Randy Carlyle heard them, but said the two points for the team were more important than the hat trick. Clearly, that’s true, but I was with the fans.

Parros had never scored two goals in a game in the NHL before tonight (his last hat trick was in juniors, according to him). He described it as a “great feeling” and that he was glad he could contribute. It’s clear that he enjoyed the fans going crazy every time he got on the ice in the third. He said that “it was an awesome feeling” to be able to contribute and that he appreciated the fans’ support.

Getzlaf mentioned that Parros had a big fight to follow the goal - “not a lot of guys follow up a goal with a fight off the face-off, but it was good for our group and it creates energy for sure.” Perry’s goal following the Panthers’ power play goal was huge and he described Parros as “a guy who can go out here and do everything on the ice” and explained that Parros is a big part of the team and that he showed that tonight. It’s always nice to see a fan favorite who does so much for charity do well on the ice when it counts and tonight’s game against the Panthers was definitely one of those games for Parros.

Interestingly enough, he and Bernier (Panthers) both scored double the goals tonight that they had all season. Of course, Parros had played in 25 of the Ducks’ 26 games this season, while Bernier had only played in 14. Tonight was his first game since November 12th.

The Ducks have been very streaky this season. The question everyone someone sees the Ducks is which team will show up that night. Their first winning streak didn’t really have a lot of great hockey for the Ducks. They were “messy” wins, but as long as they were winning it was working okay for them. This winning streak has shown the Ducks looking like a better team, but which team will show up on Friday to face the Red Wings? Though Randy Carlyle said he won’t be using Friday’s game as a measuring stick a lot of fans might. If they can beat the Red Wings, perhaps the Ducks can start being a bit more consistent. I’ll be attending that game as a fan (my first in SoCal as a fan in 3½ years), so it’ll definitely be interesting for me. At least the Honda Center should be more crowded. Though the announced attendance tonight was about 12,500 there were many sections that were well under 5% full. A lot more fans (for and against the Ducks) should show up when the Ducks host the Red Wings Friday.

Kat

Contact Kat

To read more of my thoughts on the NHL and other sports, check out Press Box Perspective.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Perry Leads Ducks to 6-2 Win with First Career Hat Trick

» Have the Ducks Turned a Corner?

» Can Ducks Homecoming Win Kick Start Their Season?

» Scott Niedermayer Retirement Announcement No Surprise

» The Kings are Back in Black for Their Fans in L. A.