Ducks take it to 11

Some random picture I found via Google

The debate about who'll be the No 1 goalie between Jonas Hiller and J.S. Giguere has since, say slowly died out among not only Ducks fans, but the media. Hiller has been absolutely sensational from when he was able to show his true self when his [former] goaltender teammate Giguere was able to take the time to take care of personal issues off the ice. In the wake of the death of Giguere's father; who rightfully so had time off to cope emotionally. You could just imagine Hiller saying to Giguere, once he had returned from Montreal.

"Hey J.S. I'll try all I can do so you don't have to play as much."

Giguere and Hiller probably commuted somewhere along the lines of that, which not only did Hiller get to play more, he was probably also pushed to help a friend in need who wasn't all emotionally there, when it came to hockey. Giguere has had a hefty load served up on his plate but he managed himself through it. Hiller told Giguere about his new contract even before it was official at the time  Hiller had made this announcement; Giguere was the only person who knew while the rest of the team was clueless before it [Hiller's contract] became official."We're just honest that way" Hiller said.

Giguere has been nothing but supportive over a red streaking Hiller. Giguere; who hoped to play as a Duck knew he had heavy "competition" with Jonas. Giguere though didn't believe in the competition against a teammate the only competition he's ever believed in was against the puck. He never believed in it especially against his own teammates. Giguere was soon gone after Hiller had signed his contract. Giguere was traded in exchange for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake. Giguere is 2-1 in his first three games as a Leaf. He recorded his first loss in a team that knows him a little to well a rival when in Anaheim the San Jose Sharks beat the Leafs 3-1 (2/08/10) Giguere would tie a record with Ed "The Eagle" Belfour with a shutout in his debut later that week, after Gustvasson was put in net in favor of Giguere in the 3-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils (2/05/10. Giguere was started against the 0-5 shutout win over the rival Ottawa Senators (2/06/10). The shutout against the Senators put Giguere in the books as the Leafs first goalie to have two shutouts in his first two games.

The Ducks have been hot and they've made a franchise record of 11 straight at home. The 11th win came in sloppy and nail biting game against a team who has only won three of their last twenty seven games the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers tallied two short handed goals against the Ducks. Ryan Potulny scored to tie up the game Ethan Moreau scored to put the Oilers in the lead over the Ducks  Bobby Ryan scored the first Ducks goal than would shortly tie up the game on a sniping wrister to tie up the game. James Wisniewski shot the puck from the blue line which had rookie goaltender Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers down. The puck deflected off of Todd Marchant's stick beating a shocked Deslauriers. A penalty had been "awarded" to Petteri Nokelainen putting the Ducks one man short. Then Drouin-Deslauriers went to the bench, in hopes of the Oilers tying it up. The Ducks survived a 6-4 man disadvantage.


Jonas Hiller had 37 saves as he was one if not the biggest reason on making this franchise record eleven straight at home. Hiller had bailed out the team and if he hadn't come to save the day, the game could of easily been 6-3 Oilers. The Ducks had played almost unenthusiastic but it kept the game exciting. Hiller had the first star of the game and he has been coming up big. Toskala was shown on the bench, as he was chomping away at his gum. He looked pretty happy and content though most likely cannot wait to hit the ice to play a game with the Ducks. He most likely will not get a start in the next two games. The Ducks have 20 games remaining after the Olympic break. Toskala will probably play within that stretch at least once.


GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE DUCKS OLYMPIANS!


Team Canada:
Ryan Getzlaf
Scott Niedermayer
Corey Perry

Team Finland:
Saku Koivu
Teemu Selanne

Team Switzerland:
Jonas Hiller
Luca Sbisa (prospect; not on current roster)

Team USA:
Bobby Ryan
Ryan Whitney.

Go for the Gold USA! Gold for Brendan (Burke)!

Hiller will be standing on his head, in where he'll be reunited with his friends from his native Switzerland; the 2010 Olympics should be interesting and intricate! This is the Athlete's biggest stage. Winter Olympics Vancouver 2010; Let the Games begin!