10 Years ago This Week!: My First Anaheim Ducks Trip Pt2

Anxious,Nervous,Anxiety and Joy....those were the feelings I felt as My uncle Drove me to Anaheim. As I enter Orange County I though about past 14 years and how this team has gone from Expansion team with Funny name to a Team contending for the Stanley Cup not Once.....But Twice. after half and hr I saw it....Honda Center FKA Arrowhead Pond. I was taken back by the Arena...It's size was Magnificent in my Eyes which was popping out by then..Checking into the Ayres Inn I got a room with view of the Honda Centre at the 3rd level of Hotel across of the Honda....Deep down I knew I made the Right choice as My Uncle and Dad left I felt so much emotions through me...happiness,Pride,Joy and alot more. I Contacted a Friend I have mad via Ducks Message Board while in my room as I stare at the Honda Centre speaking with so much Joy I think he was either surprise or perhaps expect enthusiasm from a Canadian up North..I had to pinch myself few times and let it sink in I was actually going to see the team I have love,Appreciated and has been My escape while Growing in Nova Scotia.

Many of you know who read know all too well bout my passion for this team and recording each Accomplishment from year to year since Anaheim Ducks were founded in 1993. For those 14 Years I did everything possible to keep track of the team...From watching it late night to listening via Internet Radio all the way to watching Higlights of the games during Ducks First 5 years. Anyways I went down to the Lobby to meet my friend and his family who we will call Z. anticipation add in with my introverts makes me jumpy abit....as I waited I though of the games I watch from the First on CBC where the Ducks won 3-1 over Toronto to epic games of 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Now seeing the team Live was dream come true for someone who has a Passionate Zealous of Hockey and Ducks in General...What Can I say I am Passionate. I lost track of time when a Car pulled up. Z introduce himself to me we shook hands..He introduce me to his Daughter and his younger son along with a Companion of his Daughter. As we drove we talk Hockey from the Players to the Ducks and NHL Itself..He Inform me of what Locals call Honda Centre..."Honda Ponda or Ponda" as they call it. Thinking about it now in Halifax Nova Scotia that name makes me smile during that car ride to the OC Grill. First west Coast Beer I tried was Belgian Blue Moon. Pretty Good Beer along with later Dos Equis I develop a Good taste in Beer and Craft Beer like JT Schmidts IPA and I always consider those 2 the Best along with JT Schmidt's Microbrewery.

Before we arrive at the Ponda Me Z and Z's Kids arrive at another place where I met other Ducks Fans who correspondence at Ducks Message Board...at least dozen or so...I was overwhelm but I put up smile and was happy to meet each and talk to them bout Ducks Hockey and interest non-Hockey related. 2 People stand out DNC and CL....Bout Ducks Fans bout who I consider to this day as with Z as Friends Who I think about and talk to from time to time. IMHO it felt great Meeting these people who consider my friends was eye opening experience. I never met so much kindness especially with those who share My love for Anaheim Ducks and Hockey itself......We took a Picture me,Z,DNC,CL and few others. I am trying to remember that place..for it was there Z gave me a Gift. 2007 Anaheim Ducks Home Uniform....It was Black I quickly put it on as we drove to the Ponda.....

What can I say about the Ponda.....Honda Centre,Pond or Honda Ponda one thing that made me be in awe was the fact each step I took it was almost like a Dream a living one at best. I ran up and Kiss the Feet of Wild Wing Statue....reason for that...I really Don't know Z was gracious enough to take a Picture of me and the Wild Wing Statue while others waited. I still have that Photo and looking at it now that day was the Best day of my Life.

Entering the Ponda was something that I never would expect to Locals your Arena is Beautiful and special but to me Personally and I believe others feel it too there was sense of something special about it..Entering through the Mains doors Walking and seeing it for the first time............There was a Sense of something special that Night. There was also a sense of Reverence and Gathering place of the People........... Call me crazy or delusion but to me walking through the concourse from place to place. Taking pictures from Guy Hebert Exhibit honoring his service to the Duck Cause to the Banners flying high which at that time had Mighty Ducks 2003 Western Conference Championship Banner,Inaugural Year Banner and Mighty Decade Banner....It was a sacred placed


Once the Puck Drop I took My seat in the First Period in the 2nd and 3rd. I sat next 2 Z and His Son.
Game was Glorious,Exciting and I say again...I met other Ducks Fans I correspondent and talk on Ducks Message Board...all I become good friends. I was deeply Humble they put up a Ducks Message for me...flatterly and Humble...Game was everything I knew of the team. Hardhitting,fast pace from pregame to the end I took it all in for the Ducks won that Night in a Big way. 5-1 over Edmonton....

After the game I met with my friends at a Place called the Old Number 7 Man oh Man How i love the Atomsphere i Can remeber it all one thing I remember well was the getting Autograph of Bryzgalov,Ric Jackman and Meeting Brian Burke......He is Big I mean REALLY Big. attending the post game show with Steve Carrol and Brent Severyn was special these 2 I hear their Voices on Internet radio...Carrol was kind enough to give me a Media Guid...Still have it to this Day.

After the game CL and DNC treated for dinner...late night VERY LATE night I was quiet cause I was still taking it all in....Once they drop me off at Ayres I thank and told them I will meet them again...back in the Hotel I cried not of sadness but Tears of Joy it was first time I was treated with such Kindness it made me rethink everything bout the world I see.....For now tommorow I lay in bed planning for the Next day...TBC.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

10 Years ago This Week!: My First Anaheim Ducks Trip Pt1.

Tomorrow our Anaheim Ducks will honor and celebrate 2007 Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks,a Team assemble that not only Won their First Stanley Cup, But the FIRST in California History........It made me realize how long it was ago, yet it felt like yesterday for all Ducks Fans World Wide including those who have followed,supported and cheer this team since Day1. For me Personally Mar9th and 11th holds special symbolic importance to me. They were the First NHL Games I attended not to mention First time I travel to California to see a team I have Passionately follow for 14years back then.

Many of you who read this know me full well of my positive Realistic views on this team...From some "Epic" Posts on Ducks Message Board to meeting me each year. One thing is certain the Trip all those years ago was life changing event that made me who I am today.....Lifelong Friends I have made on the West Coast of USA something I never ever took for granted to this day.I remember months prior making that Decision. 26 years old working to support myself I had gone through tough times in my personal life growing up as someone of Color in east Coast Canada it was Rough and unpleasant. I am not going to get into my life it something I don't want to talk about about which I know My Friends in Orange County Ca,Idaho,Virginia,Maine and Western Canada will not understand. Anyways I have been a Major Ducks MB Poster in the past 14 years back then...At that time Facebook,Twitter and few others social medias were not founded are produce at that time. Ducks Message Board was by far only way to communicate,talk,debate and agree to disagree on the Anaheim Ducks be it Plays,Strategies and games....some use Logic others Passionate....For me personally it was a Mix of Passion/Opinions that makes me abit of a Zealot.


Remembering well when I had over 20'000 Plus Posts back then One of the Ducks MB Posters named "JiggytotheCup" ask me I Should travel to Anaheim sometime. His suggestion made me wonder but ask the question clearly.."Should I go and see the team?". Keep in mind though back then Traveling was never on my radar...Only time I travel was with family....Major one was to Hong Kong for a Big Family Wedding....Trust me i have a Big Family...Anyhow I was left wondering bout his suggestion. It was then I realize a Opportunity was presented to me and Ducks Zealous Fan in me realize...IF I was to make the most of it I need to start Planning by saving Money and checking up on Hotels to stay at...searching many websites from several Orange County websites and some sleepless nights lead me to Ayres Inn Hotel across from the Honda Center. It was my first Choice due to it's close proximity..the Airport I choose was LAX back then I did not knew you could fly from Halifax to Newark to JWA.....IF I had known I would have choose JWA instead of that "Fortress"....after few months I told my Family I want to go on trip.

I had my parents sit down with me in Dec...Told them both it was time for me to have some time off(Vacation). My Dad look at me "Great when do you plan to go to Toronto". I said "No I am not"..."What place you want to go" My Mom spoke a little curious about where I plan to go....I look at both and told them "I want to West Coast and see the Ducks"..They both look at me My Dad spoke "That's expensive you know how Expensive it bee to stay in Vancouver". I answer "No I am not going to Van".....again another Deep Breath "I am going to see Anaheim Ducks at the Pond in Anaheim".....There was long pause "Your throwing your Opportunity for vacation away, It's too Expensive in California" they said to me....I told them my gut tells me I have to go....I wanted to go so much. I look at both of them saying "It will be Best experience something I need to do, Maybe it won't be good". I spoke to them including my Dad i spoke with My Uncle in Ventura who will allow to stay for 4 days while I stay in Anaheim for 3 Days..."You either let me find myself or come with me to California". My Dad decided to rose to the occasion using his first year of retirement to visit My Uncle.


Flying to California was positive experience it never seize to amaze me at the Beautiful Country I landed in LAX met my Uncle there along with My dad we greet each other and getting use to the climate it was something special that I had good feeling about...Till next day I will be going to a Place that I will Call my 2nd Home...:) TBC

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Our Ducks Final 18 games and Need for Consistency!

Let's look forward instead of back for this Month of March. Many of us disappointed the Anaheim Ducks Did not seize a chance to make a trade at This year's Trade Deadline has left many pondering where our Team goes from here. i admit this to you as much as I was disappointed in Bob Murray not doing what he did Let's take in facts in prior TDL's Ducks had in past 24 years..They either Stand Pat or swung a trade for a Depth Player. Now Enough of the What IF's or Calling for Bob Murray to Resign or be Fired.


Final 18 games remaining for the Ducks comes down to This team having the Motivation,Dedication and Collective Will to Win and to Impose Dominance on our Rivals,Enemies and Opposition. Inconsistency needs to cease to exist...Players ESPECIALLY Getzlaf and Perry who has fallen short in producing the Goals we need to achieve Victory..At this stage of 16-17 season, where it's Gutcheck time and All players from Forwards,Defence down to Goaltender must do their Part in having a Winning Streak that can Close there Gap with San Jose and Give this team advantage in Postseason. This Win,Lose,Win,Lose,Win,Lose,OTL....etc is not only Annoying but makes us doubtful down the later games in March and Early April.

I can tell yo many times this team has tested My Patience this season....be it Scoring,Defence and Goaltending. Coaching which we agree is vital to Ducks moving forward has to be embrace some changes in order for Offense to be Jumpstarted. Since Ducks made no major trades cept Minor one to Help San Diego Gulls. I was please Marchant was hired as Assistant coach for the Ducks does not hurt for this team to have a former Stanley Cup Champion help out in improving the Ducks Cause. Where the Ducks will finish it still up in the air....as we look forward we must Hope that's right HOPE...Ducks will and MUST Build the Monetuem for this Month and Next to Get ready for the Postseason.Once it happens then REDEMPTION must begin and it shall for it to happen Consistency at the Finest MUST BE USED well.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck