Ducks rally to beat Avs in OT
ANAHEIM, California – There is a new problem that opponents of the continually soaring Anaheim Ducks have to worry about. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are back on the same page and ready to take the reins of a budding juggernaut.
The two combined on three goals Sunday night, including Perry’s second of the evening with 45.4 seconds left in overtime that lifted the Ducks to a 43 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center for their sixth consecutive triumph.
Much like he did in the second period to trigger yet another comeback, Perry got in front of ex-teammate and Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere to finish a cross-ice pass from Getzlaf for a power-play goal and the Ducks’ 10th victory in 11 games.
The Ducks (13-2-1) are right behind Chicago for the NHL lead in points and they’ve managed to rally from deficits in all six of their wins during their current streak. Getzlaf and Perry are now playing lead roles after their teammates carried them through their early struggles.
Perry has four goals in his past four games after going 11 without one. Getzlaf has three goals and five assists in his last five games, including the tying score at 8:49 of the third period for the Ducks’ third power-play goal of the night.
Last season, Getzlaf suffered through the worst of his sevenyear NHL career with just 11 goals and 57 points – a far cry from his 25 goals and 91 points in 2008-09 when it appeared he was on the brink of superstardom.
When asked by a reporter if he is more active this season, the Ducks’ captain immediately chimed, “Back to normal?”
“It’s just one of those things,” Getzlaf said. “Last year, I’ve said numerous times [that] I struggled with many different things last season. I’m just happy to be feeling good again and playing hockey.
“I’m enjoying myself, enjoying my teammates and we’re having success.”
The Ducks again spotted their opponent an early lead after a ragged first period for the third consecutive game. Cody McLeod deflected in Matt Hunwick’s point shot and P.A. Parenteau banged a rebound past goalie Jonas Hiller for a 2-0 lead.
But the rested Ducks, working for the first time in six days and blistered by Coach Bruce Boudreau during the first-period intermission, found their way back as usual.
Perry scored for the third time in four games when Getzlaf hit him with a perfect pass in front at 6:59 of the second. Teemu Selanne then tied it with his 250th career power-play goal just 2:25 later.
(Orange County Register/MCT)