We have a lot of young players on this team who are still considered rookies; Dan Sexton, the rapidly growing popularity of him which is much deserved and Matt Beleskey. One who many people didn't who he was he has definitely started making a name for himself. If that is one thing good coming out of Carlyle, is he placed Beleskey on the top line with young guns Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The Twins have had a lot of success together; not to mention the year of 2003 the Mighty Ducks drafted them. In the same round, both of them are only six days apart in age. They both played together in juniors, including in the Junior Championships for Team Canada.
There is a rundown for both Dan Sexton and Matt Beleskey; Sexton was called up for a tour of duty with the Ducks when the biggest face of the franchise and the biggest fan favorite, Teemu Selanne went down with an injury on December 3 versus the Minnesota Wild. A broken bone above the knuckle in his left hand. Selanne, who hopes to be back against the Nashville Predators, in his return the Ducks will most likely have to make some line changes. With the first line anchored by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzalf, who can work with virtually anyone put on their line may see a different linemate who isn't Beleskey. Beleskey has been moved around constantly and it seemed as if, every shift he was on a different line. The second line was anchored with Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne and their third linemate was being switched around. Bobby [Ryan] was moving up and down the second line, where he'd have success on both lines. The second line has been huge for the Ducks the chemistry between Sexton, Koivu, Ryan has been scoring goals. Joffrey Lupul was one, before his surgery who was switched between lines with Bobby. Lupul isn't coming back anytime soon and he's itching to play but he has to take the precautions with his back.
As fans, we cannot chose who goes where, we can only give ideas... Well have to wait and see once Teemu finally comes back.
Beleskey was an emergency call up for (I believe) Carter, then Lupul went down on his injury and Beleskey, so far has stayed up ever since, and just recently has had wide success. Every player is amazing in his own way and Sexton/Beleskey have really made stride.
I became even a bigger fan of Beleskey when I went to see him and Bobby Ryan at Corona Inline-The Rinks Tours with Bobby, the speaking series which was a speech on "Learning from a Vet" I wasn't expecting to see Bobby let alone Beleskey; since they're hardly vets compared to other players. They did talk about what they've learned as rookies and younger players....and Bobby and John Ahlers, who interviewed the two very much enjoyed ribbing away at Beleskey. It was quite entertaining between the three of them. I had Beleskey's rookie card and got it signed by him.
He was surprised that I had it and he had turned to Bobby and said:
"This is the first time someone has had my card tonight everyone has yours."
He also said: He was going to sign the card in sliver which he did and he even signed his card with 64 on it!
I got uber shy around both of the boys and said nothing to them expect saying thank you for the fact they signed what I bought. Which was a puck for Bobby and of course, the card for Beleskey. After some people were in need of help with my phone camera; I took a picture with the two of them and then left and said nothing until Bobby said: "Nice meeting you" which I turned back and said to the both of them "Nice meeting you, too"
Troy Bodie had his first NHL point of his career. Congrats to him!!
Now, on to the goalies: There's still the ever on going debate about the Ducks goalies. One person likes this guy the other person that guy. Though, in this blog I may of hinted leaning towards [Giguere] over [Hiller] but some times the debate starts to get ridiculous it's as if you can't like both of them. I said to a friend, there is a lot of in fighting with Sharks fans, which there is living up with them for the entire season including playoffs last year deemed just that. There is also infighting with Ducks fans. I still don't understand why both cannot be liked at the same time, even if a person is more for the other goalie. Which ever you're a fan of [more].
Jonas Hiller has started more games than J.S. Giguere lately and he has won his last two games against the Red Wings and the Blue Jackets where he has performed up to his name "Hiller the Killer" seeing Hiller playing well is much of a relief; I'm a believer in Ducks goalies: Giguere or Hiller. Always positive thoughts towards them, even while critical towards their performance but was also put on the backs of the team in front of them.
Here are a couple quotes taken directly from Curtis Zupke's article. Quotes from Boys in the Crease:
On his playing time and hinting towards the competition with his fellow goaltender, J.S. Giguere:
“I’m playing a lot, so that’s a good sign,” Hiller said. “I’m not thinking too much about No.1 or No.2 spot. Once I get the call, I just try to play as good as possible and I think it’s worked out lately. I hope I can keep it going, but I also know I have to keep it going. (If not), it goes quick. I’m out of there again. I don’t want that to happen.”
and about the team in general his honest opinion
“We’re still not consistent enough,” Hiller said. “I think there’s still some games where we’re a little up-and-down. It’s not easy, but I try to keep the team in the game as long as possible. (But) definitely we’ve been playing better than earlier in the year. We’ve kind of found our (defensemen) pairs. I definitely think we can be more solid. Every game, every night we should be able to do that, not just once in a while.”
Management has definitely showed more favoritism to Hiller than Giguere, along with the media, which people have noticed. In reality, one thing that is slapping Giguere in the face is his contract. Which is being thrown in around for the reason of him him being traded. Hiller also is indeed of signing an extension and with Giguere, he has the no trade clause which if he does stay he will be paid 7million in the final year of his contract. Carlyle isn't the best when given a goalie situation, he seems to favor one goalie at one point then he'll lose and favor the other goalie at the other point. Thus, making either goalie unsure of himself but still works his hardest in a team that cannot keep with its consistency in winning. We'll have to see how the road trip goes since the Ducks have won their last two and five straight at home.
Carlyle has stated he wants to go with the goalie that will give the best chance but he never says who will start in a game regardless of a performance of the goaltender. The "Win you're in" was and still is a over the top ridiculous mantra. According to both goalies: Giguere and Hiller they have said they too as with the fans, are unsure who will start. No one knows who will be starting until the night before or the day of the game. There you'll have to use the word assume.
To start off the roadtrip is deja vu as with last week. The Ducks will see Nashville Saturday and Chicago on Sunday. Hiller was put in the loss against Nashville and Giguere in the loss against Chicago. As always, the schedule for back to back games of the starting goaltender is unsure. We don't even know who is starting tomorrow against Nashville as with Carlyle it seems just because one goalie played well against the previous team doesnt' mean he'll start. He started doing this after he 'ridden' of the 'win you're in' mantra.
Again, Giguere will need more of a chance to see how he can do since Giguere was hot but was shafted when he lost which probably ruined his momentum. Hiller had a hot streak but again was shafted by Carlyle.
Alright, this is an update because some how I managed to forgot to include Bobby's amazing goal.
Bobby on a Break away with STL defensmean Eric Brewer. Just him and Bobby and Bobby with his nifty hand work shoots it through Brewer's leg and next thing you know is it's behind Chris Mason and Bobby ties up the game at two a piece! Then came Beleskey's goal and Todd Marhcant's empty net. James Wisniewski put the Ducks on the board first:
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