Note from last night's win
Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer's game-winning goal in overtime last night [it's already up on YouTube] was his second OT goal of the season and the 12th of his career - the all-time leader among NHL defensemen.
Interestingly, both of his OT goals this season have come during 3-on-3 situations. Here's what Niedermayer had to say after the game (he said something similar after the last time, Feb. 11 against Calgary, if I recall...):
"There is obviously a lot of room out there with three players on each side. We had that power play and didn't quite get the job done there, so it was nice. Fortunately I kind of bobbled so I didn't really have time to think too much, which was probably good. I just went down and tried to get it up high. I was just worried about not getting caught or not picked from behind and making a good shot.
"My strength as a player helps in a situation like that where I need to skate and move. it was a great play by T-Bone (Todd Marchant) along the boards to win that battle. That is really where it started. He made a good play with it out to me.
"We have a long way to go. It was a good win. We'll take the two points. It's nice to get back on the winning way at home."
Randy Carlyle, verbalizing as much heartfelt sentiment as he has all season, said "it was a special play by a special player that won it for us. That is as strong of a team effort and as emotional as we've been in a while."
About J.P.
J.P. Hoornstra has been covering the Anaheim Ducks since 2007. Eight months after the University of Wisconsin won its third NCAA hockey championship, he was born in a frigid Madison winter. He betrayed his blue-blooded beginnings by graduating from UCLA in 2003, and welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey.
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