With a 2-1 win over the visiting Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, the Anaheim Ducks now sport a 12-0-2 home record – and they’re perfect in regulation. They’ve also won four straight overall and picked up points in seven consecutive games.
While Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf extended their points streaks (Perry with a career-high seven-game goal streak and Getzlaf with points in 13 consecutive games now), the real story of the night may have belonged to rookie Alex Grant. The young blueliner became the first defenseman to record at least one goal in each of his first two career NHL games since Marcus Ragnarsson of San Jose did it back in 1995.
After the final buzzer, here’s what was being said back in both locker rooms…
Corey Perry on his goal:
“It was a great play by Getzy [Ryan Getzlaf], driving wide. Hamper [Hampus Lindholm] had a pretty good shot there and just missed the top corner. It came off the back wall and I just batted it out of the air.”
Perry on how the puck seems to find him around the net lately:
“That’s what you’ve got to do. You look at a lot of goals in this league, and they’re scored in that 10-foot radius in front of the net. I’m just trying to go there and be a big body in front of the net. Things are happening.”
Alex Grant on his second career goal on his second career shot
“I think [Josh Harding] was cheating a little bit on the pass. I just happened to see that at the right time, and I just threw it on net. Good things happen when you throw it on net.”
Grant on the defense keeping Minnesota in check:
“Lovey [Ben Lovejoy] and [Cam] Fowler did a great job against their top line. And our checking line did a really good job, as well. Any time you can shut down the top line, it’s tough for the team to get momentum. We played a lot in their zone, and it makes it a lot easier on everybody when we’re playing in their zone.”
Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau on neutralizing the Wild:
“Other than their power-play goal, I didn’t think Saku [Koivu’s] line gave too much away, with Cam and Ben. I think they only had three chances according to the stats after two periods, which is a pretty good defensive battle by us.”
Boudreau on Jonas Hiller’s play:
“I’ve seen him like this before. He’s coming prepared. The last five games have been two goals and under. That’s a great sign.”
Wild forward Mikko Koivu on the overall game:
“Tonight we didn’t create enough offense, but you have to give them credit too because of the way they played their defense. We just have to find a way to create more and get momentum, especially early in the game.”
Wild forward Jason Pominville on momentum:
“I think we saw tonight, the first two periods, it felt like we were on our heels. We were giving them time to make plays and control the puck and neutral zone. We were kind of chasing. Any team in the league, if they are playing against a team that is on their heels, is going to make plays and good things happen. I think in the third, we were more on our toes, more aggressive. Forwards were supporting each other better and our D was involved. It makes a big difference. It just wasn’t there in the first two periods and we started doing it too late.”
Wild coach Mike Yeo on the overall game:
“Similar problems, not executing, turning pucks over and allowing them to come back at us. That was the biggest problem for sure. The start was better, but we have to be able to sustain that.”
UPDATE 12/12/2013 – Grant was sent back to the Ducks’ AHL affiliate in Norfolk.
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