Giguere clarifies his comments

With the controversy over J.S. Giguere's comments made just a couple of days ago and the railing which game from fans and media has been clarified. J.S. Giguere's comments were taken out of context by media and by fans alike. The clarification of his comments doesn't show he was being negative, he said he was being more sarcastic than he was being serious about his "I'd rather retire than be a back-up goalie" comment to the media/The (Los Angeles) Daily. Giguere put the train back on the rails after having it nearly derail on him and at the same time avoided a fatal collision in the hockey world involving himself and the Ducks.

Quotes from Boys in the Crease:



“I want to be part of this team,” Giguere said after the club’s morning skate in preparation for tonight’s game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.

“I want to be the No. 1 (goaltender) in Anaheim,” Giguere said. “I love playing here. I want to be here.”


“It didn’t come out exactly the way I wanted,” Giguere said Wednesday. “I just wanted to say that I’m not done. I still want to play. I still want to battle and have fun.


“Let’s be clear on one thing. I’m not about to retire. I was being a little sarcastic about that. But I’m not going to just sit on the bench and collect my money. I want to play. Hopefully, I’ll figure out a way to make it happen.”

I have been playing poorly since halfway through last year,” Giguere said. “For me to play regularly, I have to play like a No. 1 goalie. Hillsy has done that. It’s going to be up to me to grab my chance when I get it.”


Even with the heavy rumors of Giguere leaving Anaheim, he states he does not want to leave Anaheim and still continues to fight for the No 1 Spot with fellow goalie Jonas Hiller.

J.S. Giguere

Quotes from Boys in the Crease: "I'd rather retire than be a back-up goalie"

Read the article, in my honest opinion some people may take this as maybe a shot against Hiller but I don't think it's one against Hiller at all. Hiller, though struggling to find his game this season is a very good goalie. The issue has been standing between the who's the No 1 goaltender? For the entire summer, Hiller was chosen (by fans) after his spectacular run in the remaining of the regular season and during the playoffs. Giguere had personal issues regarding his father, he had a rough time emotionally off the ice, and Hiller stepped in to relieve Giguere. This gave the chance for Hiller to shine to put himself in the spotlight, and to show his NHL potential.

The issue in Anaheim with goalies with both goaltenders to find their game and a relatively weak team that had the talent but didn't show it didn't help the goalies. Also given the fact that there's a lot of new faces on the team and the team is trying to click with one another. The Ducks have improved from the beginning of the year, they're trusting each other more and the confidence has risen.

As for Giguere's comments: Is he mentally focused? Did he make the wrong choice on commenting negatively? Maybe he's not mentally focused, however, it's obvious he's not happy where he stands right now he hasn't received a lot of playing time, as he's had three full games under his belt. In all honesty, Giguere probably should of kept Bob Murray out of it. Giguere has been rumored of being traded mainly to the Toronto Maple Leafs which if he does pack his suitcases and moves to Toronto that lands him with former Ducks goaltending coach, Francois Allaire, former GM Brian Burke and former teammate Francois Beauchmin. Giguere has probably shined himself in negative light within other teams, and the Ducks fans. Giguere, understandable about his frustration he may of jumped the gun on this. His comments are straight-forward and honest to what he's feeling right now and to the situation he's been stuck in for some of last season and the entire summer.

There's most likely going to be a goalie gone no later than by the end of this season: the prompting is going towards J.S. Giguere to be gone by the trade deadline, but Hiller also is a free agent at the end of this season and he has not signed an extension. Hiller is also digging for the No 1 goalie and most likely, if he doesn't win it he won't sign an extension and be looking for another team; that was no shot at Hiller, and it wasn't supposed to be negative, Giguere also wants to re-secure his No 1 spot. He would most likely waive his No Trade Clause (NTC) if another team were to pick him up, and give him the No. 1 spot.

J.S. Giguere is one of the most emotionally players on the team, he's extremely competitive when it comes to hockey. Here's another thing about Giguere, as from what I've seen and I believe:

Giguere takes younger goaltenders under his wing without question, he seems to be one who doesn't necessarily care what another one says about the young goalie if it's negative. His mentoring skills for a younger goalie are undeniable and it brings confidence into that goalie. He took Hiller under his wing when he first arrived in the NHL and gave him his full support. Another great thing about Giguere and Hiller, they're very supportive over one another and get along very well.

Given the fact that it is also the media, where a lot of things aren't printed and it's the digital world paper, we don't know the exact emotion of the player. So those comments can be taken and spun in many ways.

I own a couple of Giguere cards and my what I consider my most prized possession, which is his Stanley Cup photo I was able to get it signed by him personally. After waiting for a little more than an hour for him to come out he was the last player out. And was stoked out of my mind when I got it signed that I couldn't speak.

Ducks Re-Assign Pogge

Justin Pogge vs the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pre-grame warm up.


The Ducks have re-assigned goaltender Justin Pogge, who served as an emergency call up for Hiller. Giguere, who aggravated his groin in the 6-3 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 24, 2009 and missed six games . Jonas Hiller played all six games and his record is 3-2-1 including his first season shutout in a 0-4 win over the visiting Nashville Predators on November 4, 2009. Hiller has a mediocre 2.76 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a .919 save percentage, he has appeared in twelve contests and his current record is 6-5-1 Giguere has played three games before he aggravated his injury and his current record is 0-2-1 he has a cringing 3.64 GAA and a .895 save percentage.

Pogge was re-assigned to the Ducks Eastern Conference Hockey League (ECHL) Affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. Pogge has appeared in four contests with the Condors and has played three full games, where he has gone 2-1-0. In one contest, he replaced the struggling Timo Pielmeier: Pielmeier is another big Ducks goaltender prospect.
Pogge has a 2.10 GAA and a .923 save percentage.

The re-assignment of Pogge to the Ducks shows the sign that J.S. Giguere has been cleared to play, by the team doctors and himself for this upcoming road trip, the first road trip game is against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. It is unclear who will play in the crease in New Jersey, as it always is the Ducks do not know who's playing goal until the earliest the night before the game. The Ducks take the road after a near blown 0-4 lead over the Phoenix Coyotes but the Ducks stood by the winning goal of Mike Brown, who has been promoted to the 3rd line from the 4th line, the Ducks won the contest 3-4.

Giguere targeting Road trip for return

Jiggy


J.S. Giguere has been out which called up Justin Pogge as an emergency back up for Jonas Hiller. Giguere re-injured his groin in the 6-3 loss against Steve Mason and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Giguere has dressed for practices. The sign of Giguere dressing and participating in practices is very good news, as he has missed 5 games, which Jonas Hiller has started. Hiller got his first shutout in the game vs the Predators in a 0-4 win.

In the last five games Hiller has gone 2-2-1

Giguere has played three games and has gone 0-2-1 he is looking for his first win of the season and is itching to come back to play hockey. The team in front of the goalies has improved much since the very beginning of the season. Both goaltenders are still shaking off rust and looking to improve on their weak areas.

If and when Giguere does return on/for the road trip look for him to be in net with tons of confidence.

Timo Pielmeier wins over Wranglers

Timo


Vegas


Timo Pielmeier helped in the win over the Las Vegas Wranglers, as he and his teammates dropped Vegas in a 4-1 win. The team stormed offensively in the 2nd with goals from Ducks Dan Sexton in the first period. McGregor Sharp, John De Gray, and Andrew Lanieo all tallied a goal to boost the win for the Condors.

Condors vs. Wranglers read entire article

Predators@Ducks

Hiller


Preds


The Ducks take on the Nashville Predators.

Starting Goaltender: Jonas Hiller

Final Score: Predators 0 Ducks 4


Hiller's first shutout of the season

Sorry, no first period goalie coverage available for this games blog. And I've missed the past couple games, the Penguins game I attended with a friend, which wasn't an overall bad game. Except the fact that we lost but Corey Perry scored his 100th career goal great to see Perry make that history/milestone.

The Ducks play final paid off as they had a 0-4 win. Excellent play boys and excellent play Hiller! The Ducks cut down on turnovers, but there is much room for improvement, according to Teemu Selanne he thought the Ducks did well but played quiet flat. Honesty is golden ain't it?

Hiller saves the initial shot, which is a rebound, the Predators cannot convert on the rebound. Hiller took away a Dan Hamhius shot as he gobbled it up to keep the Predators scoreless in the second period. Hiller took the shot and covered up the rebound.

Scott Niedermayer got a shot off on the power play but he did not get it over the red line as Pekka Rinne takes the correct guess in a screen by his own player it was off of his leg pad as he kicked out hsi leg.. Mike Brown's shot is taken in as Pekka Rinne blocks the shot. Hiller aggressively made a save on the penalty kill on Patric Hornqvist, he threw himself out and protruded his chest and Scott Niedermayer cleared the rebound. It looked like the save hurt Hiller a little but is okay.

Bobby Ryan cannot get the power play goal as Rinne covered the entire lower net with his legs a quick save by Rinne. Jonas Hiller gloves off the save from Jason Arnott, a great glove save. Hiller froze the puck on the corner as he attaches his skate to the post to prevent the attack as Hiller had excellent focus on the attack at the corner of his crease.

The Ducks penalty kill is very good, and Emginer made a diiving block, Hiller made a save through the screen. He made his last save of the period at the corner of his crease.

The Ducks started the third with a penalty kill on a questionable call on Ryan Whitney for roughing. Hiller made a save. Nick Boynton has basically made himself a regular, he blocked a shot and Steve Eminger also blocked a shot so the puck didn't get through traffic. The Ducks have had a very good penalty kill for the last couple of games.

Hiller made a great blocker save on Jordan Tootoo and another leg save as Hiller has been soild, a much improved game.

Saku Koivu lost an edge and fell into Pekka Rinne, there is no call which is very fair, Rinne tries to help Saku out of the net.

Hiller made a great save and a smart move to freeze the puck as the Predators desperately whacked at it to get a goal any way the could to tie up the game in the finial period.

What a call by the reffing, as Joel Ward's stick was stuck in the blade of Bobby Ryan, both players were called for a two-minute minor. Bobby was called for diving.

Teemu Selanne scores o his second goal of the game on a pass from Saku Koivu to put the Ducks up by 2 the chemistry shows with Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne this is what we've been looking for.

Corey Perry took a shot on Pekka Rinnie as his stick blade breaks; Rinne makes a great save as the blade of Perry's stick flew towards him. Todd Marchant got a great pass from Petteri Nokelainen and scores his first goal past a shocked Pekka Rinne.

Hiller made his 35th save of the night. Hiller made a blocker save as Hiller and the Ducks kept the score at 0-3.

Hiller made a save on Hornqvist and he covered up the rebound, Hiller has saved plenty of rebounds and is one of the main players in the Ducks leading score.

Bobby Ryan scores finally his patience pays off a pass from Getzlaf to Perry and a great back hand pass from Perry to Bobby Ryan. The RPG line is storming yet again. Hiller blocked off his corner to keep the Predators off of the board. Hiller was down on one knee disallowing all Predators from any type goal. Hiller made a leg save on Thuressin. Hiller made a last save as he absorbs it into his chest.

Jonas Hiller gets the first he had 40 saves his best game so far. Congratulations Hiller on your shutout!


Post game quotes from: The Boys in the Crease: "We played pretty solid defensively," Hiller said. "I gave up a couple of rebounds, but our defencemen were doing a great job clearing the puck. It's definitely the way we have to play. After we got the first goal, we were able to get that second one and were able to build on that."


Scorers:
1st period:
Anaheim: Power Play Goal: Teemu Selanne Assists: Ryan Getzlaf, Saku Koivu

2nd Period:
No Scoring

3rd Period:
Anaheim: Teemu Selanne Assists: Saku Koivu
Anahiem: Todd Marchant Assists: Petteri Nokelainen
Anaheim: Bobby Ryan Assists: Ryan Getlzaf, Corey Perry

50 Years of the Mask

Plante

"The face that changed hockey forever" Something every hockey fan has heard: 50 years ago on this day, November 1, 1959 was when the first a full face mask in a regular season NHL game debuted. Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens really did change the face of hockey forever, after a shot from Andy Bathgate, which struck him in the face, he had seven stitches from his mouth to his nose. Hockey didn't have back-up goaltenders like we are so used to by today's standards, so it took twenty minutes to get Plante fixed up. Plante had worn a mask in preseason games and in practice, Canadiens coach Toe Blake at the time didn't believe in masks; Blake's belief was the mask was going to deter the vision of his goaltender. When Plante was hit in the face and received the injury, he had won the fight against Coach Toe Blake,after he said he would refuse to play if he wasn't able to wear the mask going into the third period. He wanted to protect his injury, thus the mask would catch on like a disease to goalies.

The first ever goalie to wear a mask, in fact was not Plante, it was Clint Benedict. He briefly wore the mask in 1930 but discontinued wearing one because the coaches and players intimidated any would be mask wearers. As Toe Blake believed in the late fifties the mask would obstruct the vision of the goaltender.

Jacques Plante inspired millions of kids around a hockey mad Canada and even in the United States. Bernie Parent once said about masks, "A real man doesn't wear a mask" Plante had stood up to the assaults of shooters, as he was the first goalie to ever wear a full mask.


"It was hard at first being the only man with a face mask," he said, "but I'm glad I stuck with it ... if just for the kids."


Bathgate

Andy Bathgate known to today's generation of hockey fans, as the one who Jacques Plante took the shot from. Really, how many people reading this blog was alive, when Plante took that shot to the face? Maybe some of the readers were but I can assure you. 98% of my readers were not. According to the former great, Andy Bathgate, of the New York Rangers. The shot to the face was payback.

"He cut my ear and my face. He could have broken my neck," Bathgate said. "Next shift, I went down the left wing and I was trying to score around the net. I used the backhand and gave him a 'little bowtie' on the face.

"How do you get back at a goalie? They're a brick short anyway. I thought he looked better with the mask, to tell the truth. He comes out with these bars all over his face and we were all wondering, 'What on Earth?'

"He was out (getting stitched) so long, I had a lot of time to think about what I'd done. I had been thinking I needed to go out there and straighten something out. It I had wanted to hurt him, I could have really let one go. It was a shot with passion, to let him know that if he keeps doing that, other players are going to start to take runs at him.

"The rule was always you didn't try to hit a goalie who was handling the puck behind his net. If you wanted to, it wouldn't be hard, send a guy in from each side and he'd be a sitting duck."

To today's goalies not wearitng a mask is unthinkable with all the wild designs, the cages in junior hockey and then being able to wear a Cats Eye mask when they got to the more advanced leagues, more specifically the NHL.Chris Osgood wears more of a helmet looking mask, which he has a Cats Eye attached to. Osgood is the only goaltender in the NHL, who wears the helmet like mask. Former and retired teammate Dominak Hasek also wore the same type of helmet as Osgood did. In fact, The Dominator put that more as a following for Red Wings goaltenders.

Ozzie


As with the not wearing a mask is unthinkable to today's goalies quotes from a couple of today's goalies on not wearing a mask

"Let's put it this way, when I lose my mask in a game, even if the puck is at the other end, when the whistle blows, I'm pretty happy about it," New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur told NHL.com. "I don't know if I would have played goal (without a mask), let's put it that way."


"I can't imagine going out there without a mask," Islander goalie Martin Biron told NHL.com. "The game was different back then, but at the same time, getting pucks shot at you, it doesn't matter -- or a skate or a stick. As a goalie, you've got these scrums in front of the net … that would just be unbelievable."

Chico Resch, a former goaltender has to say this: "To me, those (mask-less goalies) were the most courageous athletes ever, more so than race car drivers or bull fighters because every night you had guys with those hooked sticks unleashing shots where they didn't know where it was going and neither did the goalies," Resch told NHL.com, pointing out that in many of the pictures of the mask-less goalies, the goalie has his eyes closed as he makes the save). "That's why Glenn Hall threw up every night. One mistake could cost you your career. The pressure was incredible."

Resch was the first goaltender to have the team logo and colors on his mask.

Here's a list of the scariest top 10 masks,h


the fans admire their designs, criticize them. Really, the goalie under that mask doesn't particularly care what is said about his mask. The design is off of his personality or the mask means something to him. A mask is not only for protection, but it shows how much a nerd a goalie is, the name Kari Lehtonen comes to mind with his Kill Bill mask.


Kill Bill mask


and his Final Fantasy Mask

Kari Lehtonen's newest mask has the Heath Ledger Joker on the side of it.

Masks also show the well educated background of goalies, of the city they're currently playing or some sort of tribute to it. Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders, a United States born goaltender has one of the most patriotic masks. The helicopter flying in the distance is the one, which as father flew in the Viet Nam war.
Here is what DiPietro told Men's Fitness about his mask




"We play at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. My dad is a Vietnam vet, so wearing a stars-and-stripes mask seemed like the right fit. It's a tribute to all the veterans and all the men and women who are serving the country now."

Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers has a special mask as a tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Mask his mask is by DaveArt In honor of Jacques Plante. The scene on the mask obviously represents the New York Rangers and also it is a tribute, to the fact that when Plante wore the mask, it had no ear protection nor did it have a back plate to protect the back of the head. Lundqvist wore the mask in today's game, definitely a mask he'll have in a case, a very special meaning mask. There's absolutely no doubt about that.(although it doesn't look like he wore his mask today.) :



A lot of goalies also have usually their nickname somewhere on their mask. Depending on the goalie, he may have has name on the front of his lower jaw, or on the back. As you see on Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharksm he has his nickname "Nabby" on the lower jaw.His mask is also scary with some monster, skelton things. His tribute to the Sharks as two Great Whites are jumping out of the water with their jaws wide open attacking his nickname.




Time to talk about the Anaheim Ducks goalies. As it is known, J.S. Giguere and Jonas Hiller are the main two goaltenders for the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller just recently got his new mask from a small company in Switzerland. Airxess Airxess was founded by Alec Voggel. Airxess has its' own celebration as they are celebrating their 15th anniversary. As mentioned before, this is the company Hiller received his newest mask from. Take a look at Hiller's mask, he has his name "Hiller" painted on the back as he does with the Ducks logo. The mask in pictures may look like two colors, but look at his mask closely, it's a mix of colors and the best of this mask is when he plays in games. The deflection from the light makes it look absolutely amazing. It is a lot less detailed than his two previous masks. However, this mask most likely means a lot to him as Airxess is located in his home country of Switzerland. Hiller's masks tend to have a lower chin drop than any other goalie in the NHL does another thing unique about his mask is the way it was made, while Hiller was back home in Switzerland, he went to the hospital in order to have a CT Scan which tributed to the making of his mask. The CT Scan helped get the contours of his head. The scan was used to perfectly fit to his head. And another thing unique is the way the ear holes are shaped if you look at his mask, you're going to realize that there's basically no ventilation. Also the shape of his mask is unique, every thing about his mask is unique. As with fans, this wasn't a too popular look when it came out. A lot of Ducks fans didn't like it but on the other hand, other fans did like it.

As with Giguere's mask, he has this robot duck thing and an all white duck which sits on the top of his head. It has an eerie and aggressive feeling to it. The backplate of his mask also has his nick name on it. "Jiggy" Jiggy did get his name from Will Smith's song "Gettin Jiggy Wit It" as they had played the song in the Honda Center, and every time they played it. He'd make these huge saves and thus came the name Jiggy. At first, he didn't like it but then warmed up to it. Obviously, this is a league wide nick name for him. Looking back at his mask, behind the Duck Cyborg, there is the Ducks D behind it, and lighting comes out of it which travels to the back of the mask. On his chin it's the Honda Center with the palm trees blowing in front of it. Which may tribute to the Santa Ana winds that Southern California is used too. This makes his mask look even more tantalizing the stormy night in front of the Home of the Anaheim Ducks for 17 years. Which ever you call it The Pond, the Honda Center, and most recently coined by all fans "The Ponda" mixing up Honda and the Pond together.



Here is also a video where Jiggy talks about his mask, a little older video, but you can also get the taste of former Duck Illya Bryzglov's mask as well.

Here's a tribute also do the other Ducks goalies. Justin Pogge, Marco Consineau, Timo Pielmeier, and J.P. Levasseur.

Justin Pogge's Team Canada mask. It's pretty simplistic but obviously, it shows the pride in his team. A mask he won the Gold Medal with.



Pogge's mask with the Maple Leafs and I believe also the Toronto Marlies.


www.totalpassports.com

Timo Pielmeier's current mask.The best which could be found of his current mask. Joffrey Lupul is congratulated him after the win.



J.P. Levasseur. I believe it's a growling bear, this is one of his older masks.



Marco Cousineau, his mask is a brick wall:



Look at Pro Choice's new back plate, it fastens with snaps. This looks to be Khbibulin's mask, with the nick name "Habby" written across the backplate. Got this pictures from The Goalie Guild



Here's another great tribute to the mask. Joe Pavlec makes mask-less save after his mask is knocked off, it hits his chin, but he saves it.He immediately throws his hand to where it hit, but his face after wards is unforgettable

Of course, as stated before the goalie's mask is unique, there's always a story behind the reason why the mask is painted a certain way. It shows the goalie's personality, tribute to the team, his city he plays for, etc.

Here's the Top Ten Masks by the NHL Network special "50 Years behind the Mask" from 10-1

10. Tony Eposito. Chicago Blackhawks



9. Mike Richter. New York Rangers



8. Ed "The Eagle" Belfour.Toronto Maple Leafs



7.Ken Dryden. According to Dryden as he was a guest on the show, it was more of the C for the Canadiens



6. Ken Favell Philadelphia Flyers



5. Bernie Parent. Philadelphia Flyers. A lower chin drop more protection.




4. Gary Simmons. California Golden Seals. The Seals didn't last very long, they were located in Oakland, California. (and no, the Sharks did not trasit from this team, SJ is an original team placed in San Jose. The Seals were arch rivals to the Los Angeles Kings before the Ducks and Sharks were even born)





3. Gilles Gratton. New York Rangers A tiger on his mask. Gratton was known to growl at opposing players, who came near his crease.



2. Jacques Plante, Montreal Canadiens, the first full faced mask worn in an NHL game


1. Gerry Cheevers.Boston Bruins. Cheevers was the first goalie to have a design on his mask, according to Ken Dryden this absolutely fitted. All Cheever's did was take a marker, and designed his mask.