It's a learning process

The Anaheim Ducks kept with Curtis McElhinney for the game against the Canucks, where the Canucks would beat the Ducks in a shootout to clinch a playoff spot.

One of McElhinney's problems in his game is he leaves big rebounds. He also has stiff leg pads, which is another factor that helps leave big rebounds, as the puck bounces off like a ping-pong ball off a paddle, which was hit a little too hard. Sometimes, McElhinney seems to be swimming  but he does have the ability to stop pucks, despite him being all over the place. Rebound control is something McElhinney will need to learn to control and the only way he's going to learn is by more game time. As with Jonas Hiller last season as the back-up to J.S. Giguere. Giguere suffered through injuries late in the season, this is where Hiller got his chance to play in consistent games as Giguere recovered. Hiller took the opportunity by storm helping the Ducks barely squeak into the playoffs, clinching the 8th spot and then being matched up against the Sharks for the first round playoffs. Hiller showed his true potential as the Ducks would beat the President Trophy Sharks in six games. Hiller also would help the Ducks take the Red Wings to seven games, but would ultimate lose in a rip out your heart loss, as Daniel Clearly  would score the winning goal breaking the tie. Hiller fought back tears, as he engaged in a conversation with the referee as he tried to tell the ref that it was indeed goaltender interference but the ref virtually shrugged Hiller's disagreements on the goal off. This gave Hiller tons of experience and helped in making the hard decision of trading the franchise goaltender, Giguere to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both goaltenders wanted to remain in a Ducks uniform but at the same time, either goalie said they'd be willing to be traded to another team if they did not get the No. 1 spot. Giguere and Hiller also remained very good friends on and off the ice. And if it weren't for Giguere, Hiller wouldn't be the goalie he is today, despite the different styles each of them play.

This is what McElhinney seems to be getting; Hiller is suffering some minor injuries late in the season, where the Ducks have a slim chance of making the playoffs, but with the injury to Hiller McElhinney is getting the chance  to play. The goalie who took the back-seat to Mikka Kipprusoff when he was with Calgary is getting most of his chance with Anaheim. As  McElhinney is getting more and more consistent starts his game is improving. As playing more, he is able to figure out his weaknesses and where he is either consistently strong and/or strong but needs some patch work.  As with every goalie, McElhinney will learn as he goes. This is the best way he's going to actually learn something about himself as a goalie at the NHL level. As of now, McElhinney with the Ducks is 4-0-1.

There isn't a doubt that Hiller is helping McElhinney improve on his game in each practice and game, as goalies, they're going to bounce suggestions off of each other but Hiller as he has more playing experience is more of a Mentor to McElhinney. The two goalies seem to be getting along just fine, if McElhinney does stay another year look for another strong relationship between the Ducks two goaltenders. Also look for a more improved McElhinney and a better poised Hiller. Hiller has had some struggles this season but every game, every season, no matter how old someone is...is still a learning process. McElhinney is taking his learning process to heart and is loving and thriving in the opportunity of consistent minutes with a team, where he doesn't only play once and then is thrown on the bench for the next few weeks so that one of the best goalies, Kippursoff, in the league munches much more on the time.

NOTES: The Ducks re-assigned J.P. Levasseur and recalled  the 30-year old, Joey MacDonald as a back up for McElhinney for the game against the Canucks. MacDonald was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. Joey was born in Pictou, NS, Canada on February 7, 1980. The Ducks seem to be switching the guards, giving more goalies a chance to at least be up with NHL players as Hiller recovers from his back spasms. Hiller is not expected to be back for Saturday's game vs the Los Angeles Kings. However, it is a possibility he may be available for the next game against the Kings on Tuesday. James Wisniewski will be available for Saturday's game, as his 8 game suspension is up after hitting Chicago's Brent Seabrook, where Seabrook hit his head against the glass and then Wiz got a inflated Suspension. Welcome back, Wiz!