Game 7 vs San Jose (2009)
A season of high hopes and disappointment: the 2009–10 Anaheim Ducks missed the playoffs for the first time in six years.
The 2009–10 Anaheim Ducks season was the team's 17th season of operation (16th season of play) in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Ducks first game of the season was held at home, on October 3, 2009, against the San Jose Sharks. The season began with high hopes, but ended with disappointment for its fans and players as the Ducks failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2003–04.
Quick Facts
- Date
- April 27, 2009
Lore & Background
The Ducks made a major trade at the 2009 NHL entry draft on June 26, trading Chris Pronger and Ryan Dingle to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, two first-round draft picks and a conditional third-round pick. The club signed former Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu as a free agent, while Francois Beauchemin and Rob Niedermayer departed the Ducks for other teams. The Ducks started the season poorly, playing under .500 for the first month. The team's top goalie, Jean-Sebastien Giguere struggled, failing to win a game until November 23. The Ducks increasingly played Jonas Hiller and the club reached the .500 mark in January. The team was not able to catch up in the standings despite improved play in the second half. Nearing the NHL trade deadline, general manager Bob Murray traded Giguere to the Toronto Maple Leafs and made several trades at the deadline.
Reader's Guide
The Ducks' first game of the season was a 4–1 loss to the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center on October 3, 2009. The team finished the regular season with a record of 39 wins, 32 losses, and 11 overtime or shootout losses, placing 11th in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs.
Did You Know?
- The Ducks made 16 trades during the 2009–10 season.
- Jean-Sebastien Giguere did not win a game until November 23, 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Ducks clinch the series against San Jose?
The decisive match took place on April 27, 2009, serving as the final game of that playoff matchup.
Who scored the winning goal in overtime?
Bobby Ryan netted the game-winning goal in extra time to secure the victory for Anaheim.
Was this match officially Game 7 of the series?
Although fans frequently associate it with a Game 7 atmosphere, official records identify it as the sixth game played between these rivals.
Where did this win send the Ducks next?
This performance propelled the team from the Quarterfinals into the Western Conference Semifinals for the remainder of the playoffs.
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