Game 3 In The Books

And now we have a series right?

Well, not so fast there, if the Thug Ducks are able to win tomorrow night, then the series is all over. But on home ice the Senators were able ride the wave of emotion from their fans and pull off a 5-3 win and force a Game 5 in Anaheim. Give Ottawa full credit too for coming back from 3 one goal deficits to win. The Senators did exactly what by sticking with their game plan and not trying to play a style that does not suit them very well. Is Ottawa prime for an emotional letdown in Game 4? I think so, but there's a reason why they play the games.

The Thug Ducks on the other hand got very flustered by the atmosphere as evidenced by the Mike Fisher goal in the second period when Anaheim had only four players on the ice for an even strength draw in their own zone. What was going on the Thug Ducks bench is a mystery. The Thug Ducks also showed why I'm disgusted to see them win the Cup. Was Chris Pronger's forearm to the jaw of Dean McAmmond really necessary? The NHL doesn't think so as Pronger was suspended for Game 4 and my question is, why one game? This is the second time in the playoffs this season (and second series in a row) that Pronger has been suspended for an unnecessary head shot. It is pretty clear that one games aren't changing Pronger and he is even saying himself he won't back down when he returns for Game 5.

But once again "its business as usual in the NHL." And they wonder why the TV ratings are in the toilet? The Ultimate Fighting on Ice fans are just waiting for a Thug Ducks win in the Finals to say "I told you so, I told you so" when it comes to winning hockey. But these guys have never been able to really put 2 and 2 together so what else is new?

Ok, enough of that, my favorite moment last night was in the third period when Pierre McGuire chimed in "Here comes an Anaheim wave. Their bench was just calling for a a tightening up." Almost as if on cue the Thug Ducks get hemmed into their own zone, turn the puck over on a breakout, and Ottawa scores the insurance goal to go up 5-3.

Keep up the good work Pierre...