Saku Koivu scored his first goal as a Duck, Jonas Hiller stopped 22 of 25 shots, and the Ducks settled for a split in their fourth preseason game in as many days.
In what may be a preview of the Ducks’ second line, Koivu anchored a second line between Joffrey Lupul and Teemu Selanne. His goal came on a power play at 19:28 of the second period.
Assigned to San Antonio (AHL):
Shawn Weller – Left Wing
Brett Festerling – Defenseman
MacGregor Sharp – Center
Maxime Macenauer – Center
J.P. Levasseur – Goaltender
Assigned to Manitoba (AHL):
Brian Salcido – Defenseman
Assigned to Juniors (Kelowna):
Brandon McMillan – Center
Anaheim now has 36 players remaining on its 2009 Training Camp Roster – 21 forwards, 11 defensemen and four goaltenders.
After an up and down season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Justin Pogge came to Anaheim with his role clearly defined as the organization’s number three goaltender.
“I’d love to make the team,” he said. “I’m doing everything they tell me to try and stick around.”
Continue reading “Pogge on his first game.” »
Luca Sbisa scored the game-winning goal during a Ducks power play in overtime, completing a comeback in a game the Ducks trailed 3-0 in the third period.
Joffrey Lupul scored twice, and Dan Sexton once, as the Ducks (2-1) scored all four goals on the power play. Jean-Phillippe Levasseur (10 saves on 11 shots) and Timo Pielmeier (33-35) split the goaltending duties.
Sbisa finished with a goal and an assist, Lupul added an assist, and Maxime Macenauer had two assists for the Ducks.
On Friday, Christensen said there has been no setback in his injury. Just frustration that he hasn’t been cleared for contact yet.
“I want to be back as soon as possible, or considered being put into a lineup as soon as possible,” he said. “I don’t know what that’s going to take. I hoped to part of the last two or three exhibition games. If they have something dfferent in mind, I guess that’s something I have to live with.”
Christensen played through the injury last season after he was acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers in February. He had the surgery in June and has participated in all of the drills, but none of the full-contact scrimmages, during training camp.
“I want to be back soon, but it’s not something you want to rush into,” he said. “It would be really disappointing if I tweak it or did something that would set me back another week or two, where I’d have to see another doctor again, or another MRI. It’s precautionary. We’re being very careful with it. That’s all you can do.”
The only difference between Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu skating on the same line Thursday night, and the two skating together for the Finnish national team, was … well … everything.
“Right now, we just have to be patient and keep working at it.”
Continue reading “Saku Koivu on his first game.” »
Here’s how the Ducks will skate against the Kings on Saturday at Staples Center:
Mikkelson Brookbank
Whitney Eminger
Festerling McCarthy
Hiller
Pielmeier
The Ducks announced today the following roster moves:
Assigned to junior team:
Josh Brittain– Left Wing (Barrie/OHL)
Mat Clark – Defenseman (Brampton/OHL)
Marco Cousineau– Goaltender (Drummondville/QMJHL)
Nicolas Deschamps– Center (Chicoutimi/QMJHL)
Peter Holland– Center (Guelph/OHL)
Stefan Warg– Defenseman (Seattle/WHL)
Anaheim now has 43 players remaining on its 2009 Training Camp Roster – 25 forwards, 13 defensemen and five goaltenders.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere may have fallen behind Jonas Hiller in the (very) early running for the No. 1 goalie position. He allowed two goals on 16 shots, and Justin Pogge stopped 19 of 20, as the Vancouver Canucks blanked the Ducks 3-0 at Honda Center.
For the second straight night, Ducks players not playing in tonight’s preseason game (against the Vancouver Canucks) will help welcome fans by working at various locations at Honda Center. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the following players will work alongside Ducks/Honda Center staff members at the following locations:
Jonas HillerandErik Christensenat Oggi’s Pizza (200 level)
Petteri Nokelainenat the Team Store (200 level)
Joffrey Lupulat the Box Office