Rivalry Weekend- Ducks Minor League Report
- Updated: December 2, 2015
The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings have been battling for SoCal supremacy on the ice since 1993 when the Ducks started playing in the NHL. In recent years that battle hasn’t just been for regional supremacy, since both clubs have become prominent forces in the NHL, combining to win three Stanley Cups in the last nine years. Now that both clubs have relocated their AHL clubs to Southern California, this great NHL rivalry will start in the AHL.
If this past weekend is any indication, the San Diego Gulls and Ontario Reign rivalry is only going to increase the intensity of the “Freeway Face-Off”. On Friday the Gulls defeated the Reign 3-2 in San Diego, snapping a six game losing streak. While there weren’t any fights, there were several roughing penalties and a game misconduct penalty was issued to the Gulls winger Brian McGrattan for “persisting a fight”. If McGrattan’s attempts to stoke a fire were unsuccessful on Friday, they did set the stage for an explosive rematch in Ontario the following night. The Gulls won again, this time 3-1, and led throughout. With the chippiness from the night before and the Reign likely frustrated over losing twice in a row, it’s no surprise that there were three different fights in the game, two of which coming in the last five minutes. Indeed, it seems that Kings and Ducks prospects will be well versed in this rivalry by the time they make it to the NHL, and bad blood will likely spill over from their minor league days with the Reign and Gulls.
LOSING STREAK SNAPPED
Going into the weekend, it would have been tough to predict two San Diego wins against Ontario as the Reign still sit atop the Pacific Division even after those two losses. San Diego had been challenging for the top spot in the division as well until a six game losing streak dropped them down into a battle for third with the Texas Stars.
Speaking of the Stars, that’s the team that extended the Gulls’ losing streak to six on the Wednesday before the games against Ontario. The final score of that game was 5-3, but it could have been much worse. Going into the third period the Stars led 4-0, and the Gulls were visibly frustrated leaving the ice. With top goal scorer Nick Ritchie now in the NHL, the team looked lost in the attacking zone and top prospect Shea Theodore appeared to be trying to do much to make something happen. During the 2nd period he showed off his skating and puck handling skills to set up some offensive pressure, but then lost the puck trying to deke around a defenseman just inside his own zone. Theodore’s offensive talent is unquestioned, but losing the puck in that area is a big no-no. Luckily for him the Stars did not score on the ensuing break. Perhaps the 2nd intermission of that game was rock bottom for the Gulls during their losing streak, because they came out flying in the 3rd period and scored three goals in eight minutes to make the game interesting. It wasn’t enough to win that game, but it certainly gave them some momentum going into the weekend.
After being frustrated by the Stars on Wednesday, Shea Theodore was in control against the Reign on Friday and Saturday, picking up the game winning goal on Friday and an assist on Saturday while posting a +3 rating over the two games. That’s the kind of two way production the Anaheim Ducks hope to see at the NHL level from Theodore in future years. The Ducks called him up after the games against Ontario, but it was likely only a planned short term callup to allow Theodore to practice with the NHLer’s while the Gulls had a six day rest between their games last Saturday and this upcoming Friday. “That’s why we have San Diego”, Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said, “If you can prepare and give him the ability to practice with us, I think that’s a good thing for him.” Theodore was sent back down to San Diego on Tuesday.
MONTOUR AND GIBSON SHINE
Brandon Montour continued his fantastic start to the season with a goal on Wednesday and an assist on Saturday. He leads AHL defensemen in scoring with five goals and 16 assists. His 21 points are also fifth most in the league overall. As a result he has been named the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for November. John Gibson could be on his way to receiving similar recognition in the NHL after a shutout performance against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night. After a great first game coming in off the bench against the Flames and a couple of solid, if not disappointing results against the Blackhawks and Coyotes, Gibson will surely be proud of his stellar performance against the Canucks. His biggest obstacle moving forward might actually be Frederik Andersen, whose recent bout with the flu is what allowed Gibson his opportunity to play for the Ducks. Andersen has recovered and it remains to be seen what the Anaheim will do. The Ducks have several problems to solve if they’re going to get back into the playoff race, but figuring out their goalie situation will be one problem they’ll be happy to figure out thanks to Gibson’s strong performances in Andersen’s stead.
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