John Gove: Anaheim Chalks up Another Preseason Loss

Let us remember that Ducks had lead but Refs in true inseason form completely blew the call - then it went downhill - I'm not really going to put much in these games until Gibby or Miller play which I think happens Friday against Kings. I believe you'll see a pretty solid lineup Friday night -

Everyone is waiting for IGottheMemo to post his apocalyptic view of last night's faceoff infraction-fest.

Everyone is waiting for IGottheMemo to post his apocalyptic view of last night's faceoff infraction-fest.
- yzermaneely

However, it is a stupid rule. I believe this rule will be drastically changed before the start of the season.

I really felt bad for Keaton Thompson last night. Trying to make a good impression and all and he really screwed the pooch. He'll get a chance to figure it out in San Diego.

I really felt bad for Keaton Thompson last night. Trying to make a good impression and all and he really screwed the pooch. He'll get a chance to figure it out in San Diego.
- duxcup07

I guess they don't teach that you shouldn't pass straight across the blue line to your defensive partner through the opposition at whatever levels he's played before. That was mind-bogglingly brutal. I watched him skate back to the bench and thought to myself, "How is he going to show his face?" I hope he keeps his confidence up.

However, it is a stupid rule. I believe this rule will be drastically changed before the start of the season.
- duxcup07

No kidding! You get two minutes for punching a guy in the face or hacking the hell out of him. And you get two minutes for your skate touching a line too. Seems almost fair, right?

Last night was a perfect example of why I was talking about penalties. This is a hockey forum, and all I was saying was, was that this renewed emphasis on slashing penalties was the chatter around the league, and I was concerned for the Ducks. Maybe for some of the naysayers, who are unable to comprehend statistics, it was a wake up call. Although, that’s probably wishful thinking.

Here’s the deal. Former Duck, George Parros, is the Head of the Department of Player Safety for the NHL. He was appointed to that position earlier this month (Note: His Wikipedia needs a little updating). Anyways, as we all know, Parros is a smart, strong personality that gets results. So he got tapped as the Head of Player Safety, and he has circled slashing and face-off violations as areas where the game needs to change. The refs have been educated that this new implementation requires a learning curve, and we’re witnessing the process of all that.

Probably, by game 30, we’ll see an easing of the rules. However, it’s very apparent that this new initiative is here to stay.

Where does that leave Anaheim?

This team has some slow learners when it comes to where the line is. That’s because there are a lot of players that like intimidate the opposition on the Ducks, and slashing, amongst other things, are a part of their harassment repertoire. At the end of the day, all NHL players harassment repertoire is going to be revised.

One thing I can guarantee, is that if this trend continues, PPs will be of supreme importance. That means both units should be putting significant amount of emphasis on PP zone entries and passing to exploit the man advantage. So basically, 5 guys needs to stretch 4 guys, because once a player isn’t perceived as a threat on the PP, and is therefore not give attention by the PK, the man-up opportunity is wasted.

It’ll be interesting to see how this team adapts. Will they continue their parade to the penalty box, or will the finally learn to make things easier on themselves and learn to just lock games up early through a PP that’s firing on all cylinders? This new initiative is here to stay, and can this team capitalize on it by drawing more PPs and scoring on the PP. That’s the storyline to watch for at the beginning of the season.

Last night was a perfect example of why I was talking about penalties. This is a hockey forum, and all I was saying was, was that this renewed emphasis on slashing penalties was the chatter around the league, and I was concerned for the Ducks. Maybe for some of the naysayers, who are unable to comprehend statistics, it was a wake up call. Although, that’s probably wishful thinking.

Here’s the deal. Former Duck, George Parros, is the Head of the Department of Player Safety for the NHL. He was appointed to that position earlier this month (Note: His Wikipedia needs a little updating). Anyways, as we all know, Parros is a smart, strong personality that gets results. So he got tapped as the Head of Player Safety, and he has circled slashing and face-off violations as areas where the game needs to change. The refs have been educated that this new implementation requires a learning curve, and we’re witnessing the process of all that.

Probably, by game 30, we’ll see an easing of the rules. However, it’s very apparent that this new initiative is here to stay.

Where does that leave Anaheim?

This team has some slow learners when it comes to where the line is. That’s because there are a lot of players that like intimidate the opposition on the Ducks, and slashing, amongst other things, are a part of their harassment repertoire. At the end of the day, all NHL players harassment repertoire is going to be revised.

One thing I can guarantee, is that if this trend continues, PPs will be of supreme importance. That means both units should be putting significant amount of emphasis on PP zone entries and passing to exploit the man advantage. So basically, 5 guys needs to stretch 4 guys, because once a player isn’t perceived as a threat on the PP, and is therefore not give attention by the PK, the man-up opportunity is wasted.

It’ll be interesting to see how this team adapts. Will they continue their parade to the penalty box, or will the finally learn to make things easier on themselves and learn to just lock games up early through a PP that’s firing on all cylinders? This new initiative is here to stay, and can this team capitalize on it by drawing more PPs and scoring on the PP. That’s the storyline to watch for at the beginning of the season.
- IGotTheMemo

you told me you were kicked out ? what gives ?

you told me you were kicked out ? what gives ?
- rubberduckies

What do you care? I'm enjoying the game, so bye!