Hiller's struggles

Here's an obvious factor, the Ducks are in a spot where they haven't been ever since the lockout. Making it twice to the Stanley Cup Final in 4 years once in 2003 where J.S. Giguere won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player but the Ducks would lose to Scott Niedermayer and the New Jersey Devils. In 2007, the patience paid off as the Ducks won Lord Stanley again with J.S. Giguere in net and his back-up, now Phoenix's No. 1 goaltender Illya Bryzglov. Around 2007-2008 season is when Hiller made his NHL debut. Bryzgalov was put on waivers and the Ducks got nothing in return to him. Phoenix just side wiped the Ducks on that. Bryz wanted a starting role but knew he couldn't have it with the Ducks with the likes of J.S. Giguere. Jonas Hiller also was a factor in the decision. A name unfamiliar to most until really, he pulled on that Ducks jersey over his head and showed what he could do.

In the 2007-2008 season, Hiller had a chance to shine to show wha the could do in the NHL. He did it quiet graciously, too. He quickly became a favorite in Anaheim and with the struggles of J.S. Giguere quickly became one who would be coined as the No. 1 goalie in Anaheim; not just by fans but by media as well. Hiller took the Ducks to beat the best team in the NHL and President Winners', a divisional and state rival the San Jose Sharks helping defeat them in Game 5. Then came a very heated playoff rival the Detroit Red Wings; Hiller helped the Ducks to Game 7 but would painfully watch Dan Cleary celebrate the game winning goal on his back with less then 3 minutes left in a tied game. As what Hiller thought should of been called Goaltender Interference he spoke with the ref, clearly distressed and trying to hold back the tears. As usual in hockey's tradition, he would join the handshake line but would have one of the saddest looks on his face and would barely look in the Red Wings players faces. His expression wouldn't change with shaking Hentrik Zetterberg's hand and coming up to a small goaltender Chris Osgood, the goalie who opposed him the entire series.




As the Ducks skated back to the bench at Joe Louis Arena, the Red Wings would celebrate and one of the most notable on the Ducks bench would be a crying Hiller being comforted most of all by J.S. Giguere. A goalie who knows what losing in the Stanley Cup Final feels like but also knows the glorification of winning it all.The Ducks would put the loss behind them and move on to a long off season and watch the remaining of the playoffs. Learning of a repeat with the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins the Penguins would win in Game 7 at the Mellon Arena.

This soon would bring the 2009-2010 season and the Olympics. The Ducks would win some games, but have a rough start in which fans hoped would only be the beginning of the season and would be given the product of benefit of doubt when they just dug themselves deeper and deeper in the standings the Ducks are the worst team in the Western Conference as of now. The Ducks have the talent on paper on the ice would continue to struggle, as the defense isn't up to par, fans would call this "The Chris Pronger Curse" who by the way isn't doing well in Philadelphia. The Ducks would continue to struggle offensively and at the beginning of the season, would see new faces with the likes of Saku Koivu, Nick Boynton, Kyle Calder, Steve Eminger, and Evgeny Artyhukin. The Ducks would also see a familiar face, Joffrey Lupul. Only Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Teemu Selanne and J.S. Giguere would be best known to Lupul when he returned to Anaheim. It would also result in losing a huge and staple defenseman Chris Pronger.

With bring the 2009-2010 season would bring yet again another goalie situation, again involving J.S. Giguere only the the goalie is Jonas Hiller. Hiller seemed to get off to an alright footing and would save face for the Ducks from losing, or getting too far behind. This season, J.S. Giguere would still struggle but he has recently been finding his footing. Hiller would lose tracking in his footing; he would try to keep on his feet but some games would fall flat letting in too many soft goals in games he's started. A question which has been asked by people is; Was Hiller a one hit wonder or is he just in a sophomore slump? There are plenty of people who are writing him off right now. Such as Steve Mason, he had a spectacular first year and really should the likes of a future elite goaltender. Thus bringing a lot of pressure unto himself. Hiller was expected to come up huge the next season but so were the Anaheim Ducks. Hiller's struggles showed on the score sheet and showed in his play in games. It would also show in his body language and facial expressions. Looking more and more frustrated in himself but really in some of those loses should of been channeling his frustration towards a bad and almost unenthusiastic team in front of him. He allowed four goals in the loss to the Wild and two goals in the shootout an area which he usually is very good in. Hiller would first show visible frustration towards a teammate, Steve Eminger who screened him against division rival the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the Freeway Faceoff. Eminger was benched the next game. Hiller has not won his last few starts; he's been struggling on his stick side and he still continues to struggle on his rebound control.

Hiller would be widely criticized on his struggles by Ducks fans as was J.S. Giguere last season and the beginning of this season, as well all summer long.


No one would be more disappointed in Hiller than Hiller. He knows he's struggling and he wants to get himself back on track. With teammate Giguere finding his old self Hiller will have to really prove himself. This "If you win. You're in" isn't helping him in the least bit. In the likes, this is more like telling the goalie "You're a loser and you're noting toing to play this upcoming game, you're going to ride the high saddle on this one" it's like beating a dead horse, honestly.

In all honesty, ( I believe) Hiller will regain his footing, whether it be with the Ducks or with a different team. He'll be back to his old self and will regain his "Hiller the Killer" nickname from every fan out there. I had high hopes for Jiggy while he was struggling and I have high hopes for Hiller regaining his footing.