Ducks eliminate Oilers in Round 1, Game 6

     NHL Stanley Cup Chase 

5-2 Ducks FINAL

Ducks win series 4-2 

This Oilers Season was something to see, the way it went from the very top of the league, to an embarrassing also-ran. It was the unwillingness to protect the heart behind the brand, and by that I mean the youth, the up and comers, the solid defense, and last but not least, goaltending. But what I saw tonight was even worse. People playing for a pay cheque. People who want to sit this one out.

I am very sure they threw away the puck until the Ducks had a cushion, Not dismissing the Ducks. The next series will tell. But the Oilers did not make a single pass, or take possession, or control either of the front, back or middle zones, until the 15 minute mark of the 2nd period, and at no point thereafter. I have to imagine the youth, like Savoie, and Samanski, were staggered by the way the veterans threw in the towel. Bad lesson for the youth. Unless that's pro hockey, and maybe the only graceful way for McDavid and Draisaitil to step back and let someone else challenge for the championship is to, throw in the towel like they did tonight.

I don't think hockey is corrupt. But I think the Oilers were done by January this season, and the Jarry move was nothing but a swan song. A touch-back in a losing cause. There is a lot to be proud of in the team. There is a lot of brilliant hockey in the team. But Messier, again, turning to him, said it best. Spectacular talent doesn't make championships. Weird chemistry, sometimes as weird as Tkachuk, that's what makes championships.

Goaltenders 

Ducks: Dostal

Oilers: Ingram

Scoring Summary

1st Period 
ANA  Ryan Poehling (4) J. Carlson (5), C. Gauthier (3)

ANA Chris Kreider (1) L. Carlsson (4), T. Terry (4)

EDM Connor Murphy (2)J. Samanski (1), C. Dach (1)

ANA Cutter Gauthier (4) PPG J. LaCombe (8), M. McTavish (3)

1st Period Scoring Images: 

2nd Period

ANA Troy Terry (3) L. Carlsson (5), C. Kreider (3)

2nd Period Scoring Images: 

3rd Period

EDM Vasily Podkolzin (3) K. Kapanen (2), L. Draisaitl (7)

3rd Period Scoring Images: 

See Ya Next Season in Edmonton!  Meanwhile, on with the show!