Henderson, Nevada. The Ducks kicked off their rookie showcase with an opening match-up against the host Golden Knights. Game one. Ducks v Golden Knights.
Featuring a total of five players selected in the most recent 2023 NHL entry draft it was a decidedly young yet still highly talented line-up as it also featured the dynamic duo of Pavol Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger on the back end.
First Period:
As the puck dropped at the start of action between the Ducks v Golden Knights, Leo Carlsson almost silenced his critics less than twenty seconds in as he pounced on a 50/50 puck in the Golden Knights zone and took it in for what would have been an easy wrap around but had his skate blade fail as he attempted to make the final turn around the net.
The Ducks enjoyed the majority of possession for much of the next five minutes until a Carey Terrance penalty put them under pressure as the Golden Knights were able to generate clean chances through a very leaky looking Ducks penalty kill box.
Just as it felt like the hosts would convert at any moment Coulson Pitre jumped on a loose puck at the blue line and headed up ice on a break away, coming in one on one and slipping in a nice backhand high over the Golden Knights shoulder. 1-0 Ducks shorthanded.
The Ducks rode momentum after the goal and dominated the Vegas zone for the next five to eight minutes of action before breaking through for another goal – via a nice passing play and delayed pass from Leo Carlsson down low to a sneaking Tristan Luneau. 2-0 Ducks.
Vegas attempted to stem the tide by upping their physical game but the Ducks speed was too much and they continued to cruise the neutral zone with ease and enter the Vegas zone with pace.
Leo Carlsson once again stood out as he received a pass in the slot and deftly stick-handled by would be defenders to a better shooting angle before ringing the post with a wicked snapshot.
As time wound down it was all Anaheim – rolling all four lines and looking more and more confident as line-mates began to develop chemistry.
2-0 Ducks after twenty minutes of action and looking very convincing.
Second Period: Anaheim Ducks 2 – Vegas Golden Knights 0
Picking right up where they left off the Ducks continued to dominate early on – Judd Caulfield ringing the post less than two minutes into action before both teams exchanged penalties over the next few minutes.
With the Ducks looking better on their second chance at the man advantage but still unable to convert – the Golden Knights once again took advantage of the extra time and space allowed to look deadly in the Anaheim zone. Coulson Pitre once again grabbed a freebie at the blue line and headed in on his second shorthanded breakaway of the night but this time shot it wide.
As the Ducks killed the minor things got testy in their own zone and Tyson Hinds was called for cross checking while the Golden Knights picked up a matching minor for roughing after the play. The ensuing open ice did not result in what would be expected in terms of more up tempo hockey but it was still fun to watch none the less.
As the minors expired the Golden Knights settled into somewhat of a neutral zone trap and managed to slow the Ducks attack briefly until Leo Carlsson broke the blockade and entered the zone with speed and setup for some sustained Ducks pressure that followed through back to back shift changes.
It was one penalty too much as the Golden Knights finally broke through with the man advantage as Pavol Mintyukov sat for tripping. Their danger man Brisson given too much time in the near slot to wire one by Clang. 2-1 Ducks.
Time wound down on the period with the Ducks still enjoying much of the possession and zone time and they headed to the second intermission down by one but deserving to be ahead by much more.
Third Period: Anaheim Ducks 2 – Vegas Golden Knights 1
Despite beginning the period on the front foot – a broken play and rare three on two break led to Vegas tying things up early as Cheveldayoff beat Clang on the glove-side. 2-2 tie game.
Anaheim responded right away – setting up in the Vegas zone and regaining their lead via a nice behind the net pass by Kyle Crnkovic to Tristan Luneau sneaking to the backdoor once again. 3-2 Ducks.
The penalties continued to mount as the hosts frustrations boiled over with back to back calls for boarding and then delay of game gave the Ducks an almost minute five on three advantage.
As Nesterenko hit the post on the near side – Pavol Mintyukov recovered the puck and fired another shot from the same side that hit pay dirt. 4-2 Ducks.
With five minutes left in the game the Golden Knights threw everything they had at the Ducks but managed to only give Anaheim another Power Play in the final three minutes of play.
As Vegas killed the minor they pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker to try get two goals back before time expired but Clang stayed strong and kept it to a 4-2 finish with the Ducks taking the first of their three games.
Post Game Notes
I <3 Coulson Pitre
This kid was everywhere and my first reaction upon seeing his opening goal was “Antoine Morand with finish?” and as he showed tremendous speed as well as ferocious tenacity throughout the game including another shorthanded breakaway I felt something I had not felt since my dear Morands departure. However – as an 18 year old, we won’t see him with the Gulls for another two years. He definitely left his mark on this game and stood out as the best forward not named Leo Carlsson. He is definitely one to watch closely.
Leo Bounces Back
I didn’t see any of the Development Camp action so wasn’t entirely sure what the drama was about Carlsson after his showing there back in July but he most definitely impressed in this game. It still isn’t confirmed whether he will be with the Ducks, Gulls or back in Sweden but I know my vote is San Diego and he showed today that he will fit in just fine. He used his big frame with confidence and precision while also showing some super soft hands and deft puck handling ability in tight. He is the complete package and did show signs of a young Ryan Getzlaf with how he slowed the game down and found the seam for the near impossible pass.
Luneau the Backdoor Assassin.
How good was Luneau that he was able to score from the exact same spot on different passing plays? Being able to sneak into a scoring area undetected like he does takes some special timing and skating ability and at the rate he is developing I can see him making the jump straight to the NHL next season. That may not be possible with how the Ducks defensive core is looking and that isn’t a bad thing as giving him time to gain further confidence while tearing up the AHL cant hurt.
Honourable mentions
Kyle Crnkovic couldn’t find a chance to show off his laser of a shot but he did make a very nifty behind the net pass to Luneau for the third goal. As an undrafted 21 year old he fit right in among his talented and high drafted peers and I can see him making the Gulls out of camp with a significant chance of being an underrated top scoring forward by years end.
Calle Clang was solid under pressure. He got beat glove side twice on plays that Dostal likely would have had but other than that he is still my choice for the Gulls number one in net once the Bakery is permanently with the Ducks.
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