A Ducks Resurgency:Rising Must Continue

No Surprises at where our Ducks are now. We know Ducks would be Rising and their place in NHL West nothing to be shocked about or in awe. those who know me and know the Ducks well since their Founding this team always has a strong 2nd half. 29-19-8 66pts 3rd in Pacific Division,5th place in NHL West. Some Doubted or wrote off the Ducks in the Beginning of this season. Frustration,demoralize and of course the occasional Shock has lead many to wonder "Why".......But we know that as one Ducks Fan I Know well this is "Ducks of the Old". Playing like crap in 1st Half yet goes Gun ablazing in 2nd half. One must always remeber and know this team well as much as Myself and others within Ducks Fanbase from Orange County California and beyond to know this team's MO has always been slow starters. You can say we are use to Ducks strong 1st half in past 3 years....which is true But we must never Lose sight that with Ducks Resurgence they must keep climbing and Close the Distance with our Enemy that is LA Kings. Also keep a close eye on those who are in rear view mirror...San Jose,Col,Min,Nashville and others right on our Team's Tails. Ducks Playoff Chances are Greater and Hope is brighter as the Sun itself. Arrival of David Perron and Ryan Garbutt via Trades has improve the Ducks Offense abit.....Jumpstart it as Right time. Trade Deadline 11 Days away Ducks are Buyers who have a choice. Tinker with the Roste which has Perservere as they did before in season past or Stand Pat...Either way Ducks Rising will continue and they WILL be face to fact with LA for Pacific Divison Title and Top Spot NHL West. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Anaheim Ducks:2015 Year in Review

Happy Belated New Year Everyone :) 13 Days have passed since we all rang in 2016. When the Clock struck 12 and our Ducks Won their 2nd shutout on the Road, It made me reflect on 12 months that shaped 2015. For me Personally I believe 2015 is a year highted by the Highs and Lows of this team. From Seeing Ducks Honor a Hockey Icon raising his Number being the First to the Rafters of the Ponda*Honda Center* to the Stinging Defeat that is a Game 7 Loss at Home for 3rd straight. For us Ducks fans we cannot forget the Good,the Bad and the Ugly. For what it's worth I though it would be best to list down the Top Moments in 2015 that our Ducks made last year. 1.Teemu Selanne's Retirement Ceremony you all know I am always big on Recording each moment of Ducks History and at times use a Ducks Hockey Media Guide as a Reference. No words describe the Moment I felt that night watching our Anaheim Ducks honor a Ducks Legend and Finnish Hockey Icon. to hear his Words and see and hear the reaction of the crowd it was truly historic moment that will live in us all Forever as Ducks Fans and Hockey Fans in general. Best part of all is many of my friends record Ceremony on their Cellphones and post it on Facebook.....It sends chills down my back and made me Smile. Teemu left his mark being alltime Ducks Leader in Goals,Assists,Points,Games Played and etc. He made so many moments I can make a list impact and accomplishments he made in inspiring Ducks Fans and Hockey fanatics alike. It was One year ago on Monday of this Week Ducks Raise and Retire Number 8.....like Stanley Cup Victory and Stadium series it's etched in our Memories. 2.Ducks Defeating Winnipeg and Calgary advancing deeper in Stanley Cup Playoffs: I had to include both since our team taking out both Jets and Flames was something to celebrate. First Round and 2nd Rd Dominance provided us a chance to see Ducks advance Deeper to the WCF. What's special was Ducks vs Winnipeg and the Fact both team's Connection to Teemu Selanne was Hilighted from time to time. Sweeping the Jets and Smashing them was great...But Knocking out Calgary was great in it's own right since we PWNED them 11 years ago. Sadly Ducks Fell short in losing Once again Game 7 at home this time to Chicago Blackhawks...losing first Game 7 was Tough,losing 2 was hard but losing for 3 straight years was Sting that is a bitter taste that leaves in our Mouths and Stings deeply that it's destine to be cleansed soon. 3.Ducks Establish AHL Team in San Diego:Dream of moving Farm team to West Coast became a Reality. for 10 years talk has been around bout bringing to Ducks farm team closer to Anaheim due to time zone differences and travel distances.Talk of it became a clear on Jan 29th 2015. Ducks joing 4 teams to form AHL Pacific Division. News of it spread like wildfire as Ducks Sphere of Influence grew to include San Diego County. Few Months later Ducks would rename San Diego AHL Team "San Diego Gulls" honoring the Name and Previous teams that wore "Gulls" Moniker. Rest you can see is History :) 4.Simon Despres Arrives: I always beleive in Team comes first but when I hear Ducks traded for Simon Despres someone Who I feel could make Difference and given a chance to succeed. IF he was traded to the Ducks it made me Smile knowing a Forme Saint SeaDog and someone from my home region has chance to shine. He did during first few games and months he suiting up for the Ducks. Sadly he is not with concussion during first few months of 2015-2016 NHL Season. But he is due to be back Soon. 5.October Blues and First Half struggle:Let me say this openly right now in regards to the Ducks October Blues.....If you ask me if the Ducks were to win only one game in October I would laugh and disagree very passionate. But seeing the team live for 3 games where they lost Back to back to Arz and Colorado was demoralizing and frustrating in seeing a team with talent,experince and Skill lose in not only such a fashion but lack of effort was showing. 1-7-2 was not only unacceptable yet lack of Scoring was sad....JUST SAD. Many speculated,panic and vented angry on players who should have step up. For me watching the play of the team live but also on TV lead me to think we are seeing the Ducks of the Old. Was I ashamed of their play?...NO very clear to me Ducks were in a slow Start simliar to slow starts in years and season prior. But I did not panic at this struggle we never though Ducks would be in. seeing it was a thing of the Past.Expecting a strong start is vital yet it's going to be important for the Ducks right now to hit the ground running since they are NOW midway at the 15-16 season. 6.Orange is the New Black: I always like Ducks Alt uni's from Wild Wing breaking out of Ice to Ducks 03-04 old school Uni look after the First Rising* first Ducks Stanley Cup Playoff Run*. New Colors were very Symbolic debuting Oct16h vs Colorado. Funny Thing is the New Uniforms were leaked on NHL Shop.com....Don't know how that happen but it was no surprise to see how well receive it was with Ducks fans especially Local fans in Orange County. Orange Colors representing all Communities of Orange County....symbolism is one of Pride and Dedication to the team,Ducks fans worldwide and of course fashionable due in part Ducks brought back Old "Mighty Ducks" Logo as part of a Link to a Unique Past we have embrace since Day 1 of Ducks Founding. 7.Ducks Trade for Kevin Bieska and Carl Haglin:Seperate Trades to shake up the team but I will leave the comments short since this season has not conclude which I will make a statement after the season ends! So there is top Moments that define 2015 For the Ducks and Ducks Fans alike. as our Team begins 2nd half 2015-2016 Let us stand tall and Support the team and remember Ducks perseverance when they endure Slow Starts...I beleive in this team and as i Left OC in October being 1-2 I know this team can make it...They inspire to overcome anything. For now we await what 2016 has for us as it did in 2015. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

1st half Struggle and My Thoughs

Inconsistencies.......a Word that sums up the Ducks Struggles and questions on why this team is underachieving. Many of us including myself wonder what is going on..."Why our team is in a Funk". So many Questions we ask each other on Ducks Message Board,Facebook,Twitter and face to face at the Ponda. For those who follow this team since Day 1 we have seen it before a Road with Bumps and turns,ups and downs. YES we express our Anger,Our Frustrations and disappointments on why this team is where they are Now. I am no expert nor someone who reads minds....but blame needs to go around no matter where it is. Be it Players,Coaches or Front Office. It's Duty of those who wore the Ducks D and those who select,Draft,Pick and Sign the players that can bring a Winning Product on the Ice for Ducks Fans to Cheer and City to be Proud of with A Smile and Hope. These past Months we are in despair........But I ask this to all Ducks Fans who remember and know History well. Staying the Course does not mean the End. Or giving up on the team and season. Nothing is easy and Ducks took 14 years to Win their First Stanley Cup,10 years to reach their First Stanley Cup Final and 4 to earn a First Stanley Cup Playoff Spot. Why I brought this up is simple.......Nothing was nor the end, did we give up on DUCKS Pursuing their First Stanley Cup or achieving Glory as a Whole in the Hockey World. My Answer is no for Perseverance has been the Ducks Strength for they endure. How we do this is simple...Trades that are strategic,Signings for Player who fit well into the Ducks Cause and System of Hockey. There are No answers to why they are where they are....One thing is certain and sure. IF this reminds us of Ducks 1st half being struggles then we must expect 2nd Half where THEY MUST GO all out from here till Regular Season Finale. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Message to Ducks Fans:Always Beleive

I Can't blame you for your Concerns and worries....I understand and know that all Ducks fans including our team has a Right to be concern with Lack of Offense and underperformance is something many is getting use to it. We expect more from the Ducks,It's players be it Forwards to Defense and Goaltending. Yet still we see inconsistencies. many of us can agree to disagree on what path the Ducks Take be it Trades,Firing Bruce Almighty or staying the Course. As we debate where the Ducks will finish, I Believe as some of you do this team will Turn it around. If History tells as all Ducks fans from Coast to Coast....Be it Orange County California to Canada,Finland,Sweden and elsewhere. We CANNOT give in to Despair we KNOW what this team is capable of. Experience,Talent and Skill should Result in our Ducks near or at the Top of Standings of Pacific Division or NHL West. Everytime I look at the Standings I ask myself this "What is wrong with this team". It's many times I ask myself since I came back from attending 3 games Live in October at the Ponda. We cannot Lose Sight Ducks have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs when they are in a Slow Start. Neither should we give up when this team needs not only Support but rely on each other NOT few to Get this team back into the Fight. It's unsettling to see the Ducks deadlast in Pacific Division and Western Conference. BUT we must not give up. IT'S NOT DEFEAT and the Ducks have 2 months to turn this season around.....Whatever Happens we know Ducks can win the Stanley Cup. It's not matter of how....But When!. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Thoughs on the Ducks:After 28 games

been awhile since I posted last time wrote it was our Ducks being in a Slow-Start situation that something some forgot it was typical of season past and years prior. That being slow start Ducks endure which lead to us doubting them and of course panic in some Ducks fans within Ducks Nation. 2 months have past since Ducks went 1-7-2 talk of despair has now turn to hope which I am not surprise. I must admit seeing them lose twice which I attend had me in Doubt.......But i find perspective in knowing our Anaheim Ducks endure several slow starts before only to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs and go deep in Post season. 11-12-5 27pts has proven to many Resilience is part of the Ducks DNA, it did not show but it resurface at the right time. Striking distance for the Ducks to gain a foothold in Stanley Cup Playoffs at this moment is 1pt. As Much we can be satisfied with improve performance from John Gibson contributing in giving this team a edge in Wins to Current Ducks be it Nate Thompson returning from Injury. I think what was lost in Ducks Fans expectations i hopes of repeat performance of strong starts in October that lead to 3 straight Pacific Division Titles from 2013-2015......It can be debated whether it lead to knee jerk reactions of who Ducks should trade or fire. But I must say this clearly with a open mind that All Ducks Fans should Not be surprise by the Team's Resiliency. Over the past years When Ducks where not at their best they slowly turn the corner. From Stellar Goaltending to timely Goals which give them Wins that were not meant for them. I believe deep down in All Ducks fans including myself there was a glimmer of hope and knowledge that we know in our Hearts this team would Persevere. Look at the Wins and effort we display against Pittsburgh,San Jose,Vancouver and few others. Team is coming together,Depth is starting to Click and Gibson once again shows why he is FUTURE Number 1 Goalie for the Ducks...All in All Ducks overcame and is where they are now afte 28 games. To say the Ducks are the worst and very weak is absolute Understatement. To me they under perform in October which is justified in stating a Honest Fact. As we await the Ducks to conclude their 6 game homestand finale Friday. Let's Ponder of how this team turn the corner by closing gap to 1pt out of 7th and 8th spot in NHL West. There is alot of HOPE and many possibilities for now. Ducks will be hopefully ready to set the tone for not only final home game before East Roadtrip but be ready to UNLEASH a MIGHTY FURY on the next 7 games. Ducks Hockey is what we love and we know our team can be the BEST in the Hockey World :). DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

Ducks at 2-7-2:Slow Starts happen Before!

I am not going to lie nor sugarcoat where our Ducks are now at the early point of 15-16 season. Frustration,Disappointment and at times surprise is what we feel including myself when seeing the Ducks Struggle in October. This team lost ground in a Big way let alone several of the Big Guns did not score any goals in first 10 games of Ducks 15-16 Campaign. Seeing the team not scoring any goals was mindboggling yet frustrating when I saw them live for 3 games at Ponda in October......Don't know how I feel, you can bet I was not happy nor impress with The Ducks not only scoring any goals but getting shutout in back to back games which was Blow to moral of our team and Ducks Fans everywhere. I can honestly feel how Ducks Fans felt during the loss against Phx and the Avs. Not good Feeling and demoralizing if you can know what some Ducks Fans who were sitting with me call the team "San Diego" in Sarcastic Tone. But there was something that made me think bout slow start Ducks have endure this year. For all that has happen in October first 11 games made me think back to Previous seasons.........before Ducks were Rising in 2003 and 2007 before they shocked the Hockey World few times. Struggle Ducks have at their moment is Reminder nothing is easy and that Struggles have been part of our History before. Sure We were blessed with 3 straight strong Starts. We cannot dwell on misery of Ducks having to lose ground or take our frustration out on this team. We must always remember Ducks endure as we Ducks fans have be through slow starts before.....Season is still young IF the Ducks can regain lost Ground and honor in the next few Months then we would look at October as Nothing more then a Hiccup. For Next 15 games it won't be easy and We know as our Ducks Do nothing is easy for Perseverance is Essential and Vital ot overcome Any Adversary. Like Life itself one Must Fight hard and Work HARD FOR ALL THAT Is Worth. Ducks I believe will do Just Find for Unity is their Strength no more no less. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck

T-Minus 1 Day till Ducks Hockey:Season Opener

So it Begins tommorow night, after months of waiting,days of talking bout "What IF'S to seeing the Players our Ducks have acquired for and signed in the Offseason has our Hopes up and our Goals being a real as Brightness of the Sun. "Gathering of the Ducks" aka Training Camp has concluded with the Ducks 22nd Edition assembled and ready for the Quest for the Stanley Cup. Path we see is clear it will be tough yet Hard as we know nothing is easy to earn the Right to Hoist Hockey's Holy Grail and become Immortal in the Hockey world yet again. News I hear from and read on Ducks Message Board is Good,Positive and Hope is everywhere from Ducks Message Board to Facebook,Twitter and Instagram. Even Ducks Fans outside of Orange County California and North America and Looking ahead in what is Important season. Arrival of Haeglin,Stewart,Bieska and others give the Team not only a deep one but strengthen the Depth everywhere including Left Wing for the first time as I remember. But we must not take it for granted or assume this season is a forgone Conclusion. The Hockey News may have Predicated the Ducks to win it all yet we must take it with a grain of salt since Prediction do not come true..........Cept 8 years ago when yours truly and I think others had a "Wait and see" Approach that year plus it was first time I made Trip to see the Ducks in person. Looking at Ducks Roster I am very pleased and Happy with the Players they put together on the team. from Hagelin and Knudobin being name to the Ducks 2015-16 opening season Roster to young Guns Chris Wagner and Josh Mansonn earning their spot through Hard Work and Dedication. Mix of youth and Experience as I see the names is apparent and clear as Day right in front of us. We know and we can agree "Good is not close enough" is not only their New Mantra But I see it as a RALLYING Cry for the Ducks and all DUCKS FANS THROUGHOUT THE HOCKEY WORLD and everywhere. Too Long we have endure 3 Game 7 Losses that it dwells abit on our Mind. Like a sickeness it must cured. Yet in order to this Ducks must BREAK it with Collective Will that must KNOW NO FEAR and have faith in each other. First as Ducks 22nd Campaign we must hit the ground Running by MAKING example of San Jose....MAKE THEM INTO Sushi and CARVE A PATH THAT LEAVES NOTHING BUT Teams being afraid of us to play and Battle against each Night. 15-16 Season also marks historic First in Ducks Farm team establish in San Diego. Talks of having a farm team close to Home in SoCal has been talk about for last decade. Truly I am thrilled like all Ducks Fans that Ducks not only move the Farm team close to Home but Founded the San Diego Gulls in honor of previous Gulls team prior years before. Ducks Sphere of Influence expanding to San Diego imho will increase Hockey beyond Orange County but also expand FanBase that will encompass both Orange County and San Diego County. To me it's a Big Boost and Great Thing for the Ducks and kudos to Henry and Susan Samueli on bringing Hockey Back to a City with Great History. Gulls Uni and Logo has some symbolism from the lettering to Ducks Shoulder Patch on the Gulls Uni. What excits is knowing the team will will keep a close eye on Gibson,Ritchie and other Ducks Prospects who will get some seasoning while being monitor by Ducks Front Office. Gone are now the days where the Ducks had to form alliances with East Coast Teams in order to develop their Prospects.....There was one time Ducks had no farm team which hinder that progress for a short time. As we Count Down I am looking at Ducks SMASHING THROUGH our enemies and Rivals as well as Gulls in establishing their Mark and Setting the Tone for this Hockey Season. As for Ducks Players we should keep an eye on John Gibson,Nic Ritchie and others who symbolic represent Ducks Greatness for Years to come. For now What I forward is Ducks to be UNLEASHED WITH VENGEANCE. DuckPride 4ever MooseDuck