Young Ritchie’s ‘heavy shot’ pays dividends for Ducks

ANAHEIM, CALIF. Goaltender John Gibson is not the only youngster who is playing beyond his years for the Anaheim Ducks during this post-season.

Nick Ritchie used what Gibson called a “heavy shot” to pick the top corner for his fourth goal of the playoffs in a 3-2 overtime win against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. The 21-year-old from Orangeville, Ont., who was selected 10th overall in 2014, has two game-winners this post-season.

“I usually tell him to shoot from the top of the circle because it’s pretty heavy,” Gibson said of Ritchie, who had 14 goals and 28 points in the regular season. “Sometimes it hurts. Yeah, he’s got a good shot. Not only is it accurate, but it’s pretty heavy. You guys might not be able to tell, but from my standpoint, experiencing it, it’s pretty heavy.”

Though this is Ritchie’s first taste of post-season hockey, he said an extended playoffs run two years ago in the OHL helped season him for this moment.

“I got a chance at the end of junior to play some meaningful playoff games with the (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds),” Ritchie said. “I guess it kind of prepared me.”