Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Morrison delivers his insights into the world of hockey, on and off the ice.
Ducks deserve Lord Stanley's prize
Comments (37)
Thursday, June 7, 2007 | 01:20 AM ET
By Scott Morrison
In the end, the best team won the best trophy.
The toughest team won the toughest trophy to win.
In the end, the Anaheim Ducks deserve to be Stanley Cup champions.
With a curious 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night, the Ducks became the first west coast team to win the Stanley Cup in the modern era, finishing off a building job Bryan Murray, ironically, began a few seasons ago and Brian Burke completed the past two years.
Tough, fast, balanced, well-coached, well-managed, the Ducks had it all. The goaltending was rock solid and deep. The defence featured Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, enough said. They had three forward lines that scored virtually the same number of goals throughout the playoffs and a fourth line that came up big more often than expected. A power play that was good, but went bad, came back to life in the biggest game.
Perhaps most obvious was the Senators could simply not handle the size, strength and tenacity of the Ducks when they cycled through the offensive zone.
In many ways, the final game was a microcosm of what the Ducks are all about. At times dominant, at times vulnerable, in the end they found a way to get the right result. They are seldom perfect, but they are fierce and determined. This could have been a final that was over in four games had the Ducks managed to protect one of three leads in the third game and even in the clincher there were tense moments.
After weathering the storm in the first period of Game 4, they battled back to win. In the final game, they scored first, got serious intervention from the hockey gods and at times battled through their own nerves to beat the Senators, who simply couldn't get the big-time performances from their best players to match the Ducks. But the Ducks never wallowed, they persevered.
Just as Ottawa was that much better than Buffalo, for example, that much more team tough, that's how it was for Anaheim over the Senators. Consider this, in the three games in Honda Center the Senators managed 16, 15 and 13 shots on goal.
While a disappointing conclusion, obviously, for the Senators it should not completely overshadow the run that got them to the final for the first time in 80 years. This was a team that exorcised some significant demons along the way, battled through adversity early in the season, figured out how to play and win in the spring.
In the final, with any luck, they will have learned another lesson of the price you have to pay to win the big mug. The deep concern, of course, will be what happened to their best players in the final, the likes of Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley in particular, and how much of that was the Ducks doing and how much it was succumbing to the task at hand.
The final scorecard will read that the Ducks got better goaltending, their defence was more reliable and quick enough to stymie the forcheck, and their best players were considerably more consistent. While the Senators got secondary scoring, they didn't get enough scoring from their big line and they didn't get the same balance in scoring the Ducks received.
Remember this, too, way back in the fall and early winter when the Senators were scrambling, when the future of the coach seemed in doubt, the Ducks were arguably the best team in the NHL. Injuries and other factors inflicted some pain in the middle, but they got it back over the final quarter and were as much of a favourite as you could find in the Western Conference.
So in the end, the best team at least this spring won ... and this is one champion that doesn't have to travel far to go to Disneyland.
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About the Author
Scott Morrison, the recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fameís 2006 Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award, has been covering hockey for 25 years. The Toronto native began his career at the Toronto Sun in 1979. After spending more than 11 years as a hockey writer and columnist at the paper, Morrison became Sports Editor in 1991 and led the section to being named one of North America's top-ten sports sections in 1999 - the first sports section in Canada to receive the AP Sports Editors North American Award. Scott, a former two-term president of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, joined Rogers Sportsnet in 2001 as Managing Editor, Hockey, and is currently both a commentator on Hockey Night in Canada and a columnist for CBC.ca.
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Comments (37)
mg
sackville
Man, please stop whining! Anaheim was clearly the better team....anybody who questions that is dreaming. Ottawa lost because: THEY DID NOT PLAY AS GOOD AS ANAHEIM!
Posted June 18, 2007 08:16 PM
jeff
NCS
The Ducks won the Cup only because the Sens didn't play their best game?
May be the Sens got to the Finals only because Pitt, Jersey and Buffalo didn't play their best games.
Posted June 18, 2007 05:51 PM
HelpLine
Ottawa
I have set-up a phone number so all the SENS Whiners will have somewhere to vent. It also has the Team Motto in it:
1-800-Maybe-Next-Year
Enjoy the Summer!!
Posted June 8, 2007 11:31 AM
Renee
Ottawa
I have NEVER been more proud to be a Sens fan or to call Ottawa my home. The Sens will learn from this experience and come out swinging in the Fall. I am counting down the days until the new season starts.
Posted June 8, 2007 10:57 AM
Mario Barone
Whitby
It was interesting to hear the comments that Ray Emery made following the conclusion of the finals...he said that Ottawa could have won this series if they just played there game,he said that for some reason they didn't play like they were capable of playing and there was no reason why Ottawa can't beat Anahein.I think the point that Emery missed was that the Ducks didn't let them play their game and thats a sign of a well coached team.
Posted June 8, 2007 08:51 AM
Marilyn
perth
The ducks won because of their finess at dirty play. Pronger should be booted out before he kills someone. the Sens have been a fantastic team and will win Stanley
Posted June 8, 2007 07:07 AM
Chris
London
I would say the best team lost because of a team that has mastered the art of interference. The Ducks managed to smother the Sens no matter what they tried. It's simply amazing at how good the Ducks were at doing just enough to slow up the Sens without getting called. I admit slamming the back of the couch a few times due to a non call, but the refs don't have the pleasure of watching the game unfold on a screen before them. They are in the game. However with four zebras one does wonder.
Anyways, the Ducks play on the edge. They have played that way all year. They take alot of penalties but amazingly get away with more. I believe they aggravate their opponents so much that they lose focus and the game. Either due to making the attempt to play the Ducks game(which can't be mastered in 1 series) or by simply becoming so disheartened at the fact they can't play their own game without being manhandled.
Posted June 7, 2007 10:29 PM
James Edmunds
Congratulations to the Ducks! They were by far the better team. That said, now Ottawa has some Finals experience and I'm sure they'll be a better team because of it. The piece they're still missing is having a player (preferably a defenceman) who has actually won the cup.
Posted June 7, 2007 09:40 PM
Dan
The Ducks AND OUR FANS deserve the Cup period. All I hear about are how there are no hockey fans in California. BullS**T! There are lots of hockey fans here, not as many as Ontario or other parts of Canada sure but the Sharks up in Northern California have a huge drawing, sold out arenas most nights. LA has the Kings & they too draw extremely well, considering they've missed the playoffs recently they still sell out. And Anaheim has been drawing full houses most of this year. (34 consecutive)Atmosphere at Ducks, Kings & Sharks is excellent & in my opinion way better than in Toronto where you can hear a pin drop most nights. Beleive me I know, I'm a Canadian who's family has Leafs season tickets since the 1940's! I been to many a game at Maple Leaf Gardens over the 70's 80's & 90's and the crowds are DULL! So Califonia may lack in the number of fans when comparing to Canada but hey, fans don't win Stanley Cups, good teams do. So instead of moaning about US hockey fan bases why don't you blast your team managers, owners etc to put a better product on the ice. Maybe then Stanley will take a Canadian vacation.
Posted June 7, 2007 08:45 PM
Ronald Potter
Put simply, the Ottawa team that steam-rolled over the Sabres with that '...on a mission...' fire in their eyes and passion on the ice, just did not show up against Anaheim. Who knows what happened to them. They were flat from the start...
The Ducks on the other hand, didn't budge one bit from the game plan and play that saw them battle for each victory in 4 rounds.
As a Canadian who laments another year of the Cup not returning home, I will say that the Ducks deserved it. However, a report published on the CBC just before the final started showed that very few people in Anaheim (and California for that matter), knew that the Ducks were playing or who they were playing.
Hockey will only be a minor regional game in the U.S.
Bring the Pred's to Southern Ontario !
Posted June 7, 2007 05:41 PM
Babcia
Great run for the cup. Congrats to both teams for the thrills! Just wonder what y'all thought about Alfie's using, was it Niedermeyer? as a net? GO BOLTS!
Posted June 7, 2007 05:29 PM
Peter
Ottawa
The Ducks were clearly the better team out of the tougher Western conference this year. As for the Senators, they have a great team that management should try to keep intact. They are still one of the youngest in the league and are more than capable of returning to the finals.
Posted June 7, 2007 05:06 PM
Steve
In response to Denis:
How dare you say the city and fans don't deserve the cup? I've known Duck fans who have supported the team for over a decade. Back when all they had was Kariya and Selanne. Even though I am a Kings fan, saying the city and fans don't deserve it and that they will abandon them is extremely disrespectful and stupid on your part.
Posted June 7, 2007 03:36 PM
Larry
Yes, the Ducks won. Goody! Goody! Who cares? They proved two things; that the West is obviously the better conference; and that Bryan Murray still can't coach. Frankly, Detroit was the better team. They just couldn't get it done after the "cheap shot" head injury to Tomas Holstrum.
For what it's worth-Bob Cole and Harry Neal (and everyone else for that matter) totaly outclassed the NBC/Vs broadcast team. I watched one overly loud overbearing period on NBC. All the rest was on HNIC. Keep up the good work!!!
Posted June 7, 2007 03:32 PM
Shawn
Ottawa
Billy Boy
Wasn't it passed your bed time when you wrote that comment about getting rid of the swedes. I really don't understand how you can make a comment like that, considering the game Alfredson had last night. He was basically the only one that showed up, there were others of course but very inconsistently, and that is what happend to Ottawa. The DUCKS deserved the win hands down. We can all say different things about why Ottawa lost, but consider this, In December they weren't even in the playoff picture, they were strugling to even finish a 3rd period. It takes a lot to accomplish what they did and as a Fan of Hockey I truly enjoyed the RIDE. CONGRATS TO BOTH TEAMS FOR A GREAT SERIES.
Posted June 7, 2007 03:23 PM
Mark W.
Peterborough
To wait 9 days to play in the final was the Senators reason for their collapse. They were on a roll up till then. They might not have won but the final series would have probably gone the full 7. The NHL has to do something to get the playoffs over in a shorter time not mid June!
Posted June 7, 2007 03:14 PM
Tim
Montreal
The dominance of the Ducks over Ottawa in the last game made it dull to watch, but was great as an example of how good a hockey team can be. The Sens were not a rag tag group this year and showed how skilled they are in getting to the final -which is no mean feat. In fact, how good the Sens are just proves how much on a higher level the Ducks played this year. Nobody would have beaten the Ducks this year - and no one did in the end.
Posted June 7, 2007 02:59 PM
Michael
Nelson
Quick comments:
-Two good teams, and the better team won.
-Too bad the series didn't last a few more games though! The loss in Ottawa was the killer.
-Ottawa's D couldn't handle Anaheim's forwards combo of speed/size.
-Ottawa's D need a leader, like a Niedermayer or close. They don't have one right now.
-Spezza? Where were you? How can you teach grit? It was the bleepin Stanley Cup final and a lot of players weren't hungry.
-Emery will be a great goaltender for a lot of years IF he learns from this experience.
-The 'nucks were stupid to get rid of Burke.
-Neidermayer was good in the finals but Sammy Paulsson was the big reason they shut down so many teams.
Posted June 7, 2007 01:58 PM
The Bambino
Newfoundland
The best team won.
They won the best of 7 series for the cup, meaning they are the champions, end of story.
There is no sense whining, arguing, or trying to find a reason or sentence to say otherwise. The best team in the NHL is the one that wins the cup at the end of the year.
This year, it's the Ducks. Congrats, they deserve it.
Posted June 7, 2007 12:55 PM
Jojo
Ottawa
Apparently Billy boy didn't even watch the series. I'm referring to his reference concerning Ottawa "dumping the swedes" and I'm assuming he means Alfredsson.
This is just a stupid thing to say because Alfie was Ottawa's most productive player all playoffs and probably in the finals too (Fisher was great too, but that's another story). Furthermore, Pahlsson of Anaheim - a Swede; was one of the main reasons Anaheim held the Sens 1st line in check.
I don't mind criticism that's deserving, but if you are going to lash out the insults, at least know what you are talking about.
Posted June 7, 2007 12:42 PM
Chris
Ottawa
swedes??? plural? i assume you mean dump alfie, and the answer to that would be never. ottawa is mostly canadian, 14 players if i recall correctly. our euro's are roll players and do a good job. they simply got beat by a better team.
Posted June 7, 2007 12:40 PM
Jean
Ottawa
Bravo to a dominant Ducks team. They played hard the entire series and out muscled and out hustled a finesse team. Yes, the west is tougher and the pick game is wll and alive but don't forget the Sens were never the same after that long wait to the finals. For the Ducks against the Red Wings, goaltending was the difference but in the finals, Giguere had barely enough to keep himself awake in all but 2 periods. Ottawa had a great season, Alfredson and Fisher had sensational years and they'll be back. You can count on it!
Posted June 7, 2007 11:30 AM
Elizabeth
Ottawa
In SENS land - we are VERY proud of our boys. We have watched them grow up and yes, the best team won the trophy last night no question.
For all those critics out there ready to condemn Ottawa - let me just say this. Watch the FANS support as we welcome our boys home tonight from the airport. We in Ottawa, appreciate the exciting and commanding Hockey they showed us over the past 8 weeks.
We did not get here on luck! We got to the finals as a team. And as a team, we lost as a team. I for one, cannot wait until next season GO SENS GO!
Posted June 7, 2007 11:00 AM
Denis
As much as the ducks deserve the cup; the fans and the city does not.
The city and area have little interest in Hockey (as was obvious when the local TV presenter asked ROB Niedermayer how he felt about winning the cup here in Anaheim as opposed to New Jersey).
Two years of average play and the bandwagon jumpers will leave, and you'll see the ducks playing in front of 7000 "fans."
Posted June 7, 2007 10:52 AM
Leonard Klaatu
Dallas
The best may have been Buffalo, but the proof is in the doing - not the talking. Or the regular season. Anaheim, like every other champion, deserves the trophy. Woulda, coulda, shoulda is for crybabies. Congrats to the Ducks!
Posted June 7, 2007 10:37 AM
Jawed
Ottawa
No doubt the best team won the cup.same time we should not forget the acheivements of senators.they are among two best teams in NHL (far better then any other canadian team)and thats why they played against ducks.If it was not senators, their would not have been "Hockey night in Canada".
GO SENS GO.
Posted June 7, 2007 10:34 AM
Daniel
Ottawa
Hey Billy,
Alfie scored 2 goals last night and has been the solidest player on the Sns this playoff run...
Sens ran out of gas...Anaheim had plenty...period
Posted June 7, 2007 09:53 AM
Keith Hawkins
As we all know the better of the 2 teams one this year. As a Senator's fan I have to applaud the Ducks as they were the only team to figure Ottawa out by not only defeating them but getting more than one win against them in the playoffs. Not only have the Ducks done that but have also broken a cycle of either Detroit or a Canadian team winning every Stanley cup in a year ending in 7 since Ottawa last won it way back in 1927.
Posted June 7, 2007 09:37 AM
ang
Ottawa
I have to say that I am really proud of how the Sens have behaved in the post-season, they played an amazing year. The Ducks did deserve to win this season but the sens have some finals-experience now and i think that that will have an impact as they move forward. In response to Billy, easy to talk when Calgary couldn't get it done either isn't it? Funny, I was pretty sure that the East won the cup for a while now, Carolina, Tampa, correct me if I am wrong but those are eastern teams no? Alfredsson played his heart out in this series, and in this post-season as a whole. He is the last person anybody should be talking about getting rid of!
Posted June 7, 2007 09:05 AM
Francis
Ottawa
Hey Billy Boy from Calgary,
"It’s not like playing your sister in backyard shinny. The boys like to hit out here"???
What was that? What happen in the last 3 finals? What ever happen to Edmonton, Calgary and Anaheim in 2003!!!!????
Way to do a research about your comment.
Good call.
Posted June 7, 2007 09:00 AM
Rick
Ottawa
Ya have another beer there Billy Bob !
Posted June 7, 2007 08:32 AM
niki demers
Ottawa
I don't understand how Scott Niedermayer deserved the Conn Smythe trophy over Daniel Alfredsson.
It must be because he is on the winning team.
Is this trophy not supposed to be for the playoff performance and not because of the outcome of the event.
If somoeone knows why please ease my pain and explain?
All in all I congratulate the "Ducks" but I admire and have the utmost respect for the class and awesome performance the Ottawa Senators displayed when on and off the ice.
Posted June 7, 2007 08:08 AM
Darryl McLoughlin
I agree Scott, the Sens were never in this series. They lacked the experience and as Mark Messier, Kevin Lowe and Wayne Gretzky can tell you, it sometimes takes a journey to the finals to truly understand what it takes to win the big one. Good luck next year!
Posted June 7, 2007 08:05 AM
Deb Johnson
Gatineau
The best team won. Plain and simple. They just had the better team on the ice. Well done to all the Canadian players, and way to go Teemu! Finally, after 15 years you get to hoist that cup rightfully. That was pleasant to see. Yeah, as an Ottawa fan it hurts to see your team lose the plan, and not play to their potential. But they'll learn from it, and grow from it. I'd expect no less of quality guys. Let's not have negatives here. Don't attack the Europeans. Let's just say good for the team that deserved to win, and walk away proud. Not a sore loser.
Posted June 7, 2007 08:04 AM
Anthony
Ottawa
PLEASE oh PLEASE will Ottawa get rid of Redden? Since the days of Lalime, the fool doesn't understand basic hockey - take the man and don't go for the puck you *uck! He's fine when Ottawa is up by 3, but in a pressure situation he reverts to an Atom hockey player. If Chara were here in his place, the Cup is in Ottawa.
Posted June 7, 2007 06:23 AM
william davison
calgary
The best team lost out in the semi-finals,Detroit Red Wings,,, The Conn Smythe should have gone to the best player,in the play-offs,and that was Nicholas Lidstrom,by a country mile,but he is european,so really that put him out of the running..Scott why don,t you call a spade a spade....or is it not the politically correct thing to do,,please give me YOUR TRUE THOUGHTS..
Posted June 7, 2007 03:07 AM
Billy boy
Calgary
Welcome to the west Ottawa. Its not like playing your sister in backyard shinny. The boys like to hit out here. Dump the swedes and bring some toughness to your team and next year you might have a chance.
Posted June 7, 2007 01:41 AM