My Ducks Roadtrip:5 years later part1

Five years....5 years and at times it seem like yesterday I set foot in O.C to see the team I love so dear and follow since 1993. 5 years of tolerating so called "Experts", Predictions and at times expectations.....Five years of enjoying atmosphere,meeting Ducks Fans and talking Hockey. Sometimes I listen and read bout how others see the "Big Picture" or "Little Picture". But often i wonder bout "The Picture" in regards to the Future and Ducks Nation as whole. Everything change since my life changing trip and when i arrive at John Wayne it felt like I never left. I was hope to see the Ducks and look around. Be it the Mission at SJC or Beaches and places in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

One thing that never changes is the Ducks....seeing the Ponda getting a upgrade and going through a Reno not to mention this edition of the team going through a Rough Phase I am hopeful for the future.....Watching them beat Detroit was something special cept for the fact they lose to LA and Detroit. I felt mellow and happy and I had opportunity to meet two ladies who i was taken aback by their beauty both mother and daughter Let's call them B and K, I was well speechless what to say to women but i always be respectful especially to those...well never mind back to the topic at hand. It seems clear there are flaws our Ducks need to look at.

One of them is scoring Depth and watching the 3 games There is need to fix the Depth by strengthen it through FA's this off season. Of course the Ducks are developing within in players like Bonino,Palmerei,Beleskey and DSP. I am confident they will provide the depth need for years to come....But we cannot rely on them too much since veteran guidance is a vital need to get our team towards restoring honor and achieving greatness once more.

When one experience change when has look at few things on how not only the Ducks but Ducks Fans evolve...It was not long ago we were scorned by other NHL Fans including Purists on the East Coast and parts of Canada....But many Ducks Fans and knowledge they posses is a plus let alone many have become wiser on the Ducks Path this year and maybe the Next. Most certainty 12-13 is very important due in part it will mark 20 years of Ducks Hockey and the Cause it created among Ducks Fans. It made think bout this team and Fans I met in the past five years....I reflected so much on people from Zaleski Family,Munni,Chris,Big JT,Kyle,Vicky and Brianna and her mother Kim. I will not lie to anyone but going to see the Ducks in 2007 and now 2012 and perhaps following years made me re think everything I knew of the world of Hockey and the Ducks as a whole.

Perhaps it was the kindness and honest approach folks like Ian and Jim have or positives many have in the team and outspoken that i have endure and honor to talking over these years....When you see Orange County you know they are bless with not only the Ducks But Angels Baseball...Jiu Jitsu,Night Life and other areas like Beaches and music. I know My passions get the best of me but flying back at night 10 days ago staying up all night i reflect on many moments I had there....what do I think?. I will let you all know in Part2.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Heading to Anaheim Orange County

Five years......Five Years it seems like yesterday I choose to make a life changing and positive experience trip. Five years of predictions,expert opinions,positive thinking and honest expression of the Ducks. I always wonder whether or not if things change for the better. I think tomorrow when i arrive all i want is wins,absolute victories over 3 of the Ducks enemies this week. Sometimes I wonder whether If many in Ducks Nation forgot the past....A Past of struggles,Battles and proving ourselves time and time again. Before our First Stanley Cup Victory*Day of Great Victory*. Sometimes for me and other Ducks Fans who follow this team since Day 1 gotta look a the Picture. Not the Big Picture or Little picture.....But a Path this team is taking sometimes requires bumps in the road.

This season has shown it to be one of those bumps.Injuries,Inconsistencies,Coaching Change and Setbacks. I always wonder whether 11-12 Ducks can repeat the resilience they showed last year. But never would i expect them to fall short....That's right I said Fall shore not Defeat. One thing that makes this different when I arrive is Ducks are going guns ablazing fighting to the bitter end and not letting things get in their way.But one thing I will do is enjoy my stay and look at the sights and sounds of perhaps happiest place in earth and a place so sports diversity.

as you will read my words I know in my heart,soul this team will fight to the bitter end...Whatever happens, happens for reason. Playoffs or no Playoffs. We should all stand with this team. IF you are in Orange County California,USA,Canada,Finland,Sweden or elsewhere most important moment is standing with your team. I know things have not turn out well But our Ducks will not only BE BACK next season....But will Arise again!.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Ducks need to finish strong!

Whatever happens from here till the end of the season....Our Ducks will emerge stronger. Need is for our Ducks now whether or not they earn a spot in the playoffs or not remains to be seen. However I am very confident Ducks can do this for it's in their hands be it this week or next when I see them live. This season has NOT been what we all expected from our Ducks for 11-12. I cannot tell you feelings of disappointed I have but battles this team face reminds me of the past this team face in prior seasons and years before. Injuries to key players and coaching change has shown a flaw within the Ducks that MUST be corrected in the off season. As someone who has follow this team and recorded history in a personal Ducks Book........One or 2 seasons of supposed "Slow starts" is tolerated but FIVE right now is truly a concern I have right now looking at the Ducks Hockey in 12-13.

All Offense No Defense mindset this team has shown at times did not work. Rank 23rd in Goals per game.....17th in Goals against and PK. I am trouble by this for many months. It goes without showing the Ducks need to restore,Re-vitalize and REFORM. 2007 Ducks our FIRST Stanley Cup Championship Team is OUR Gold Standard NOT Detroit or Chicago. Our Ducks need to focus on signing some D and restore system that brought our team it's First Stanley Cup....Youth, Experience and Leadership were key to the Ducks success five years ago.

It will be again I am hoping when Season concludes and Playoffs starts Ducks need to look at some Defence men who could help plus adding more new blood to help development of Fowler,Sbisa and hopefully Etem can go a long way in making the transition smooth and not rough. Following is five players I hope Ducks will pursue these five are my own choice and I think it would be wise for this team to look at signing these five or 3.

1.Ryan Suter
2.Matt Carle
3.Brad Stuart
4.Carlo Colaiacovo
5.Brad Boyes

I believe It's necessary right now for the Ducks to use what they have and not give up...Ducks Fans within Ducks Nation should not assume the worst but see this season through no matter what Happens. If the Ducks Make it then They need to make a statement when they are in the post-season...IF NOT So Be it!.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck