The new era: After Giguere

 

 

LETS TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE BEFORE READING THIS ENTRY FOR FORMER DUCKS GM BRIAN BURKE AND HIS FAMILY.THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH BURKIE AND FAMILY. It has been confirmed that Burke's youngest son, Brendan (21) has succumbed to injury from a car accident in 

Indiana.

                              

Jonas Hiller during warm-ups. Red Wings vs. Ducks Feb 3, 2010

Since the franchise goaltender was shipped off to Toronto, Ontario in Canada the Ducks have played three games; Hiller has started all three games and he is currently 2-1. The first game after J.S. Giguere's depature the Ducks took the ice in Sunrise, Florida where Hiller and Anaheim recorded a 3-0 shutout.  Giguere's departure consisted of him in his full gear in Sunrise but before he was out on the ice; the phone was handed to him and there, he knew, he was no longer a Duck. He asked if he would waive his no trade clause and he agreed. According to the Orange County Register, the scene was surreal as the entire team skated over to Giguere and all of them hugged the Ducks legendary and franchise goaltender. Then Giguere took the team bus, a ten minute ride back to the hotel; where he packed his belongings. Giguere then made his debut against the New Jersey Devils where he posted a 3-0 shutout. Who would of thought right after Hiller signed his contract that each would put the same exact score in their respect team's record books (3-0) The only difference was, Giguere recorded the shutout at home and Hiller recorded the shutout on the road. Giguere's 3-0 shutout put him in the books of Leafs history as he was only the second goalie in franchise history to record a shutout in his debut with the team. Ed "The Eagle" Belfour was the first (2002) to do so.

Soon after the shutout on the road against the Panthers, the Ducks flew home and played the heavily conference rival the Detroit Red Wings. Where Hiller record his career high of 47 saves including a breakaway save on Pavel Datysuk which brought a rain of cheers from the Ducks fans. Datysuk spoiled Hiller's shutout when he scored a power play goal in the second period a hooking call on Saku Koivu.

the Ducks newest fan John T Meyer met up with fans for a "Tweep Up" as the  Ducks won the contest of "Pick My NHL team" Adam Brady, the Ducks main and official blogger gave the group a tour of the some of the Honda Center and went down to the glass to watch warm ups. This was John's first ever NHL Game, and did the Ducks give him a memorable night a 3-1 win over a heavy rival.

The next day, the Ducks would travel to Los Angeles to play the division rivals, the LA Kings. Where they would lose 4-6.

                                       Justin Pogge during warm-ups vs the Red Wings Feb 3, 2010


Justin Pogge had been called up from the San Antonio Rampage as an emergency back up to Hiller. Pogge has not played in  regular NHL Season game yet with the Ducks.Pogge was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a draft pick. Pogge has played in an NHL game, in face he's played in a hand full with Toronto where he struggled. He hopes to have a resurgence in Anaheim. Former Ducks GM' Brian Burke thought it would be best to send Pogge to a different team and he best thought it was to his former team where he helped the Ducks win the first Stanley Cup in the state of California.


Vesa Toskala was acquired along with Jason Blake in exchange for J.S. Giguere. Toskala still remains in Toronto as he is going through the immigration process and will be with Anaheim shortly. Toskala was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 1995 entry draft. Toskala during the 2009-2010 season has a record of 26-7-12 with a 3.66 goals against average and a .874 save percentage