Gaudreau knows Ducks’ Gibson as good as gold at stopping pucks
ANAHEIM,CAL IF. Johnny Gaudreau knows what he’s up against.
And if he forgets just how good Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson can be, he has a golden keepsake back home as a reminder.
“At world juniors (in 2013), he pretty much stole us the tournament,” recalled Gaudreau, now starring for the Calgary Flames. “When we were playing Canada, he made some huge saves in the semifinals. They only ended up scoring one goal, but it could have been easily three or four. He saved us that game.”
Gibson didn’t have to steal Thursday’s Game 1 at Honda Center, but he did rob Gaudreau on a golden opportunity to force overtime with just 17.2 seconds showing on the clock, flashing his left pad as the Flames left winger tried to tuck a backhander behind him on the rebound.
Gibson, with his last of 30 saves, booked a spot on the highlight reel.
The Ducks claimed the early lead in the best-of-seven series with a 3-2 triumph. Game 2 goes Saturday.
“There was a defenceman coming down on the right side of me, so I couldn’t really hold it longer,” Gaudreau said with a sigh. “I thought I still had him beat, but he stuck a leg out there pretty quick.” Sure did.
“He’s one of the most dynamic players in the league,” Gibson said of Gaudreau, who had two shots on net in Game 1. “You know he’s always trying to score. You know he’s always going to be around the net making plays.
“So you always have to keep an eye on him.”
In this case, Gibson knows what he’s up against, too.
Gaudreau was the leading marksman at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia, with seven strikes in as many showings.
Gibson slammed the door at the other end, with a sparkling 1.36 goals-against average and .955 save percentage.
Gibson was honoured as the top twine-minder and MVP. Both he and Gaudreau were on the tournament all-star team.
The 23-year-olds were reunited last fall with Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey.
“He’s a great goaltender. He’s a great teammate, too,” Gaudreau said after Friday’s workout and video session at Honda Center. “You can see he’s playing well for his team right now.”
While reporters quizzed the Flames before the series started on how they would stop Ryan Getzlaf, stop Ryan Kesler, stop Corey Perry and the rest of the Quack Attack, solving Gibson will be another challenge for the crew from Calgary.
“I think just get in front of him, try to find some greasy goals. And try to find the net early, maybe shake him up a little bit,” Gaudreau said. “But from when I played with him, he’s a cool, collected goalie. It’s tough to find the net on him.
“We had some great looks (Thursday) night and he made some big saves.”
ICE CHIPS: Flames G Jon Gillies, who just happened to be Gibson’s backup for Team USA at the world junior tournament in 2013, will continue to serve as Calgary’s second-stringer for Game 2. Flames G Chad Johnson ( groin) participated in Friday’s optional practice, but is not yet ready to return to the lineup.