Ducks comeback proves enough to beat Flyers only to blank in a 3-0 loss to the Rangers Sunday

October 14, 3:57 PMAnaheim Ducks ExaminerLiz Brownstein

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Teemu Selanne celebrates his second goal of the night during Saturday's come from behind
Anaheim victory (AP Photos).

Last Saturday, Teemu Selanne led the Ducks to an impressive comback win over Philadelphia, only to be silenced with a loss to the New York Rangers the next night.  Lets go through this in order, starting with Saturday night's surprising victory over the Flyers.

The game started out relatively slow, with a mere three penalties in the first, two of which went against the Ducks.  While on the powerplay, Mike Richards struck first for the Flyers giving them a one goal lead heading into the locker room.  The second twenty minute block turned up the aggression with eight minor penalties split between the two teams, however again, it was Philly that would score with the extra man, this time off the stick of ex-Duck, Chris Pronger, who in my opinion needs to wear the #25, not 20.  With two goals on 24 shots in the first 40 minutes of play, the night did not look like Anaheim would come out on top, but the fat lady hadn't sung yet.

The third was marked with only two penalties, both to the Ducks, however that did not slow down the Finnish Flash, Teemu Selanne who proved age doesn't mean anything when you have the hands he does.  Selanny scored first with less than seven minutes left, giving Anaheim their first glimmer of hope in the game.  When Artyukhin took a penalty with less than four remaining, most Duck fans were ready to accept the loss, however leave it to Selanne to score a second goal with only 16 seconds left in regulation, forcing the game into overtime, tied at two. 

The four-on-four overtime period tallied up four shots for each side, however no goals, pushing the game into a shoot out.  Philly elected to shoot first, sending Briere down toward Hiller, who made a beautiful save.  For Anaheim, Perry charged at Emery who also made a save, keeping the game even.  Hiller then faced Mike Richards and made the save, and when Teemu Selanne, Anaheim's standout of the night was chosen, there wasn't much surprise that he made a beautiful goal right past Emery giving Anaheim the lead and eventual win with one more save by Hiller.

Sunday night was not a fun game for those who saw it, as the boys in black, gold and orange were being clearly out played and outshot (18-38) by the Rangers.  JS Giguere looked solid in goal for the first two periods of play saving all 24 shots on goal from the Rangers.  However the third would prove fatal for the boys from So-Cal with New York scoring three goals, two on the powerplay, one shorthanded in an empty net.  The first of the three goals was by Kotalik, followed by Anisimov who converted during a four minute powerplay window with Artyukhin taking a double-minor for high sticking.  Girardi then scored from the defensive zone on a long-shot empty netter.

So let's end there, and hopefully tonight's showdown with the Minnesota Wild will sway in favor of Anaheim, watch the game tonight at 7pm PST on Prime Ticket,