DucksPride

Anticipation is building and just a week away our team is down to making final cuts before leaving for Helsinki. Make no mistake that our Ducks must start strong,stay united and Do not let anything stand in their way once puck drops on Oct7th. Key is as we know by now Ducks must start strong and seize any advantage presented to them. I am anxious,eager downright FIRED UP for 11-12 season to begin....like most of you on this Ducks Message board and elsewhere Countdown is a reminding of hope,optimism and determination to see this team succeed. New Edition of the Ducks remains abit of the same...don't be surprise if any new blood take roster spots. Although as each day pass it's interesting to see who makes it to the Ducks roster. Every time i look at players on this team and stats in preseason. I can't help but smile and have a sense of pride in our team shaping up. Having Pride in this team,History and what the Ducks can do gives us a sense the Best is yet to come....Knowing their Determination,Drive to succeed and Collective Will to prove haters,doubters and purists wrong. We know Ducks are up to the challenge to battle each game. What is essentially is playing full 60mins give it their all and not take ANY game for granted be it against a rival,enemy or a bottom dweller.

For many of us Ducksfans seeing milestones,witness Historic firsts being there from highs and lows,Dark times and rising. Our Ducks are exceptional not only of their name,uni's and players. But moments we see and know that makes them different, Unique and good.....leaving us memories etch in our minds,souls and hearts. I always believe Ducks drafting a player should be given a shot. Be it Etem,Fowler and Holland to previous draft picks like Kariya,Oleg and Vish. Any player always has a opportunity to make their mark...including those who were traded. Sometimes i have hopes for them others i was disappointed. Amidst days that remain till Season Opener and home opener Ducks and Ducksfans must remain united,Steadfast and be ready for the battles ahead. There no such thing as "Easy game" or assume there is "Easy win" Ducks know this and we know it well for holding our team accountable after few losses. Together United Ducks will prevail if All are on the same page. Our team is hungry,Determine to set things right. All we do is bid our team and see how our team will look like....For now i am hoping some players make it and STRIKE fear in the hearts of opposition.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Ducks Price of Success

It's been awhile since Ducks Quest for a Stanley Cup was cut short and with any loss a team must learn what needs to be done to regain glory that is change them for the better. Often with teams that have Won Stanley Cup especially the Ducks themselves must go through pains of reclaiming what is rightfully there's. Sometimes our team must go through transition from Old to young..Carrying mantle of Ducks Cause is hard to do, yet it's Worth more then each loss Ducks endure brings a learning experience to new Blood within the rank and file on roster. Be it Vets who are getting older with age to Young and up and comers...sometimes a team win some and lose some that is nature of how to become a Champion. Ducks learn this 4 years ago by claiming Stanley Cup, If our Ducks can develop the youngsters within it will make them stronger,motivated,determine and hopefully be consistent in getting the job done when playing a string of games. When i look back this season and previous one...I see transition and change for the better. Even though i prefer Ducks kept Giguere and have nieds stay for one more year....i accepted change as others in Ducks Nation.

Whatever this offseason holds for this team i hope for the best, I beleive Ducks will do what they can to get set things right,focus on defence,build 3rd line and hopefully get our team back on Track.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

June 6th 2007:4 Years later

Not a day goes by when I though bout that historic Day, 4 years ago History was not only made but a new chapter began that night. What we experience in years past be it struggles for respect and Battles against overwhelming odds be it on and off the ice. From having name that was consider “Funny” to Purists and traditionalist hockey fans and look down upon. Ducks have never gave up but try to find not only a way to win but stand tall in the face of skepticism, hatred and condescension from trolls and naysayers. It’s amazing how one simple historic event changes all of us as a fanbase and Ducksfans in general. No longer we expect each season to be struggle…. Expectations is the norm now and debates on what is best for our team is pretty much out and about considering I have see much of it over the 4 years on Ducks Message Board and elsewhere.

Since that historic day we have grown as Fans of this sport and as Ducks Nation. Gone are the struggles and fear of being overwhelmed by the opposition. We now expect best from our Ducks and want nothing more then Wins and Absolute Victory. We look forward to future by remembering what made our Ducks who they are now. In retrospective Ducks and Ducksfans like us have change for the good…. you can say that moment on June 6th we came of age. Discussion we have can lead to bickering and disagreements on what is best course of action Ducks must make to win. Indeed it’s alright to agree to disagree even though we share a common passion for the Ducks and Hockey itself. Deep down we are all Ducksfans. Winning One Stanley Cup does not mean the end, it’s beginning of new chapter in Ducks History.

All those years we spent being the whipping boy of purists, naysayers and other Hockey fans alike you were told you don’t care bout Hockey and those will fail…since 1993 Ducks have fought hard to be where they are. Look at them now a team that has earn respect, Honor and continue quest to improve one’s purpose. Truly they have done a lot in 18 years, Ducksfans alike should be proud of these feats of accomplishments certainly future is promising and bright. Many of us have witness great moments from First Win and Goal to First Playoff series win and Conference Title to eventual Stanley Cup itself…”day of Great Victory as I call it is something we hold dear to our hearts and we remember clearly as if it’s yesterday. Sky is limitless for the Ducks right now, eternal glory we tasted it lead us to become immortal in Hockey.

Yet there is more to winning 1 Stanley Cup. It’s not the end of our success nor is it a destination. That night open a new chapter with everlasting purpose engrain in all of us Ducks Nation, never giving up amidst uncertainty of past issues that we are relentless as our team to pursue greatness through hard work and Honor…it’s that trait and history set’s us apart Dedication is something our team strives for and must set in motion. Personally it’s a character quality our team must use. This was done before and can be achieved once more. Witnessing Milestones Team Firsts one can say “I was there when Ducks won the Cup” to “I was there at First game and win”. That day will forever be engrained, etched and cemented in our souls we must never forget glory Ducks achieve and future holds so promising and bright in years to come. Ducks Hockey is core of who we are as Ducksfans, loving this sport is something we appreciate and respect. Best is yet to come for the Ducks as I say before with this saying “Greatness never fades cause Memory never Dies”.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Hating NHL West's 3 teams

San Jose,Detroit or Vancouver...It's hard to say who should i root for of course i never care nor like the teams Ducks have a history with. Battles they had with these teams were not only tense but important considering history they have with our Ducks in the past. Whether it be Rivarly with San Jose, Feud with Detroit or Putting up with BS of Vancouver fans. One thing is certain imho i will NOT cheer for any team coming out of the Western Conference. Put it this way I don't WANT all three teams to succeed. San Jose would love to see them fall in a epic way,Detroit love to see them be embrass and humliated...as for Vancouver what can i say as Canadian i love Hockey,Ducks and 67's I do not want to be put up with "Bring Cup back to Canada" BS.

I would rather have Boston win Stanley Cup then see 3 out west Succeed. yeah call it a fool or a Ducksfan who is paranoid but to me there is one team that is the Ducks. I have no issue with others who cheer for other teams. To me that what makes Hockey different from other sports. If you choose to cheer on Vancouver no problem or T.O hey it's a sign of respect even though that team has no intention of fielding a winning team. To be truthful i am hoping This year's Stanley Cup Finals will be exciting as for Ducks in Offseason I am eager to see what happens.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

My Thoughs on Ducks Offseason

It's been weeks since Ducks were eliminated sometimes one has to wonder where this team will go from here. I for one looking at who Ducks will pursue at Free agency and maybe players at the Draft, then again it sucks that Ducks elminated in first round first time in 3 years is something i never would like to see. But as always it's price to pay for Success this team has tasted in years past. besides first round loss against Nashville there were positives in accomplishments of Players be it Perry,Selanne,Fowler and Lubo. What really stands out is team defied the odds by overcoming adversity, from 0-4 start to earning a spot in the Playoffs when many predicting they wont'. What makes this season good is they did it without having Hiller the no1 goalie in lineup. Not able to play and with suffering from vertigo is something i can't imagine Hiller is going through. But i wish him the best hoping he returns....but credit has to be given to two goalies who guided the Ducks towards post-season. Ray Emery and Dan Ellis both goalies have do well including Emery. Even though Ray was a sens who Ducks beat 4 years ago did very well in contributing to the Ducks 2nd half season.

Truly sting of disappointment and pain of loss is still there. One has to look ahead and not dwell on the past that is 10-11 season which was unpredictable and imho crazy. Whatever happens this offseason i believe Ducks will look at three important things in regards to Free agent frenzy and NHL Draft. 1. Replenish their Talent pool in the system,drafting best players is important to build on. However it won't surprise me if the team choose Defencemen or maybe it won't hurt to draft a Goaltender. 2.Sign affordable Free agents who i hope will make a impact on the Ducks next season and snap their string of slow starts. 3. Re-sign their RFA's If Teemu and Todd would like to return then by all means they should...If not they earn the right to either call it a career.

I positive this offseason will be a summer of change and looking forward to what will be a decison Ducks will make.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Defeat To Give Value To Victories

There are alot of things to say tonite let alone it is dishearten and sad to see Ducks lose in first round. Tough one to stomach considering all adversity this team has overcame since Day 1. As much as many of us are still in shock some shed a tear when buzzer sound, There is nothing to be ashame bout this team or players on it. Personally one has to look at roadblocks they have overcome to get as far as where they are. This Loss will motivate Ducks from Players to Front office in what needs to be done. Yes this team is all Offense and Defence is rebuilding,Goaltending is a question mark. Those of you know this team is far from becoming great.....I personally feel deep down with right develop the Core players on Ducks will be able to move forward and learn from what has happen in this series.

It's tough and it's hard not to ask yourself "What If Ducks did this or That"...One thing that is important is our team will be back. When i see the Ducks and the players i see team that is yearning to become great....reaching for ultimate Prize once more. Every Loss,Defeat and heartbreak Ducks rise up to move forward. Players we see come and go, others remain to leave their mark be it Young Rookies or Old Veterans...yet we remain focus,determine and ready to prove ourselves again. What happens now happen for a reason...nothing can change it, What's done is done for our Ducks They will Rise again. I know this, we know it and so do rest of us in Ducks Nation!.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck

Ducks Decisions have paid off

Whether it's signing Lilja at the begining of 10-11 season, to Signing Emery and trading for Ellie in respond to Hiller out with Vertigo.Decisons made by our Ducks in they gamble on has paid off in regards to roadblocks and slow starts this team has gone through over the past few months. Of course one cannot forget the progess and Choice Ducks made in starting Cam Fowler this season. It's amazing he has done well in his first year....9G 28assist 37pts. He has contributed timely goals be it OT winner in 5-4 Win over calgary and Dallas in 4-3 OT win or his first goal as a Duck and NHL against Phoniex.

One thing is certain you gotta give credit to Murray and Carlyle for sticking to their guns and allowing the Ducks Resiliency to be strengthen by the choices made towards turning a season around at times that may end up chaotic or falling short of the goal at hand. But it does not take away the fact Ducks 2nd half has and always be their strongest asset as with their 4-on-4 hockey.

Fate has guided the Ducks back towards Playoffs all it needs is our Ducks to make things offical. As with Decisions each of them holds the fate and creates a path our team must cross.

DuckPride 4ever
MooseDuck