Ducks Show Their Teeth
by oiler on Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 at 08:38am
Hidden at the end of a full slate of Tuesday night NHL action, two teams that will likely end up battling each other for the right to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals began the first of a home and home series.
Led by the return of captain Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim rode a 4 goal second period to a not so one-sided 7-4 victory against San Jose. The Sharks staged a spirited home ice comeback in the third, but weren’t able to climb out of the 5 goal hole they had dug for themselves.
“We knew this was a huge two games for us,” said Rob Niedermayer, who had a goal and two assists. “It doesn’t mean much unless we follow it up with a a big game tomorrow. Everything is so tight in our division. Every game seems huge, even now. We know it’s a big one tomorrow.”
These two teams will continue their battle tonight in Anaheim, where the Ducks record is 18-4-5 this season.
In Tuesday night’s loss, San Jose showed their youth and inexperience in an important home game by turning the puck over and letting Anaheim carry the momentum. But the Sharks also showed plenty of the offensive talent and heart that makes them a contender in the west. They ended up out shooting the Ducks 38-30.
Anaheim now leads their season series against San Jose, 3-1-0.