Post by Anaheim GM on Dec 1, 2003 18:08:37 GMT -5
Anaheim, Ca- In front of a sellout Arrowhead Pond, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2 Monday night. Graves and Havelid both had goals for the Mighty Ducks and Sandiz Ozolinsh put in what would eventually be the game winner as the Ducks move to 2-0.
Mike Babcock had this to say following the game about the play of Adam Graves, "He sees the ice incredibly well and has fantastic instincts. He'll be the first to tell you that he may not be the 50 goal scorer that he once was, but he sure is playing like he is." Graves has goals in each of the first two games despite playing less than 10 minutes of ice time per game.
Havelid, who also has goals in the first two games, commented, "I was a product of my surroundings on that play. Stevey (Rucchin) made an unbelievable pass that set up my goal. It's a lot easier to score when the puck is on the tape. It couldn't have been anymore precise." Havelid's wrister found the upper left hand corner of the goal to beat Dwayne "Wayne" Roloson in the first period.
"The fourth line continues to be a tremendous scoring component for our team. When you are getting consistent scoring from your third and fourth lines you are going to win a lot of games, " stated GM, Mark Kopsack.
Injury update: Kurt Sauer played in tonights game after being promoted from the farm team late Sunday. Kurt logged 11 minutes of ice time and ended the game even. Kurt was playing for the injured Ruslan Salei, who should be ready to face the Atlanta on Wednesday. "He wanted to play in tonight's home opener, however, we thought because it is this early in the season it would be best not to push it. He's wants to compete in the worst way and he definently wanted to be out with his teammates tonight, however, he will be ready for Wednesday's game against the Thrashers," stated Mike Babcock.
The Ducks are have a few days off before taking on the Thrashers in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Mike Babcock had this to say following the game about the play of Adam Graves, "He sees the ice incredibly well and has fantastic instincts. He'll be the first to tell you that he may not be the 50 goal scorer that he once was, but he sure is playing like he is." Graves has goals in each of the first two games despite playing less than 10 minutes of ice time per game.
Havelid, who also has goals in the first two games, commented, "I was a product of my surroundings on that play. Stevey (Rucchin) made an unbelievable pass that set up my goal. It's a lot easier to score when the puck is on the tape. It couldn't have been anymore precise." Havelid's wrister found the upper left hand corner of the goal to beat Dwayne "Wayne" Roloson in the first period.
"The fourth line continues to be a tremendous scoring component for our team. When you are getting consistent scoring from your third and fourth lines you are going to win a lot of games, " stated GM, Mark Kopsack.
Injury update: Kurt Sauer played in tonights game after being promoted from the farm team late Sunday. Kurt logged 11 minutes of ice time and ended the game even. Kurt was playing for the injured Ruslan Salei, who should be ready to face the Atlanta on Wednesday. "He wanted to play in tonight's home opener, however, we thought because it is this early in the season it would be best not to push it. He's wants to compete in the worst way and he definently wanted to be out with his teammates tonight, however, he will be ready for Wednesday's game against the Thrashers," stated Mike Babcock.
The Ducks are have a few days off before taking on the Thrashers in Atlanta on Wednesday.