J.S. Giguere First Win

Right when trying to get a picture of Jiggy (with my phone) he moved so it didn't come out clear. haha

March 24, 2009 against the Nashville Predators was when Giguere had his last win on November 23, 2009; Giguere got the win in a shootout, after the Ducks gave up the goal to Jarome Iginla with just 18 seconds left. Giguere's determination won it all in extra time. Teemu Selanne's clutch goal helped push the Ducks over the bump.

The Anaheim Ducks were coming off of a disappointing loss to the rival San Jose Sharks, who Jonas Hiller helped defeat and upset in the first round of playoffs last season. The Sharks won the President's Trophy for having the most points in the entire NHL.

Coach Randy Carlyle still continues with his system of "You win. You're in" Jonas Hiller was in for the 3-2 loss against San Jose on Saturday, this put in J.S. Giguere against his former team the Calgary Flames. Giguere was steallar and made spectacular saves, he kept out pucks which should of been past the red line. He saved 41 out of 43 shots. The Ducks would have a 1-2 lead but eighteen seconds left in the game, big winger and Captain Jarome Inginla for the Flames would score to tie up the game. The opposing goalie, Mikka Kippursoff was also solid for the entire game, the Ducks would score on him with goals from Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf in 1:08 between goals. The game went into overtime for five minutes but neither team nor goalie would let in a goal. It went into the shootout. Where Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry would fail to score for the Ducks. Teemu Selanne would have the lone goal in the shootout winning it for the Ducks. J.S. Giguere would stop all three shooters from the Flames: Nigel Dawes, Olli Jonkinen, and Curtis Glencross


Giguere would jump up in the air in celebration while Glencross skated off the ice. The entire Ducks' bench cleared and mobbed Giguere. Giguere, a goaltender who usually struggles in the shootout was very poised and ready for every shooter. As Giguere's name was announced for First Star of the Game the Ducks fans would cheer him on. When he was interviewed the Honda Center was nearly deafening with fans standing up giving Giguere a standing ovation. Kent French who interviewed Giguere would have to wait for the fans to quiet down enough to continue the interview. Giguere had the biggest smile on his face as he listened to the fans soaking in his first and much deserved win of the season.

With Giguere's performance this is the Giguere all Ducks fans are used to his solid play and his breath taking saves. The standing ovation had to make Giguere's confidence absolutely sky rocket and he'll most likely get the nod in the game tomorrow against the struggling and the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions the Carolina Hurricanes.


Quotes from Boys in the Crease:

"It wasn’t always pretty," Giguere said, "but we found a way to win. It was a big game for our team. It was a tough play at the end, but we answered back pretty well. We would have liked to win in 60 minutes, but sometimes it takes a little longer."