Team USA celebrates their overtime win over Team Canada, one of their 6 wins in pool play. (via ctv.ca)

Team USA played their final game of pool play on Tuesday against Team Switzerland in Helsinki, Finland. Team USA finished with a win over the Swiss, however, the game didn’t mean anything for the Swiss. For the USA, however, the game would only determine seeding for the Quarterfinals, since the USA had already clinched a spot in the next round. The seeding out of the Helsinki group finished as Team Canada first, second belonged to Team USA, third went to the hosts, Team Finland, and fourth went to Team Slovakia. Can’t say I’m surprised about how this pool ended up. I thought perhaps the USA and Finland would be swapped, but there’s no difference. So, the quarterfinal match ups for the Helsinki group are Team Canada vs. Team Slovakia and Team USA vs. Team Finland. All quarterfinal games are this Thursday.

The USA-Finland game may be the most interesting to watch on Thursday. When the two teams met during pool play, Team USA dominated and embarrassed Finland in front of their home fans. The incredible defense that the Finns displayed in their games before the USA game was non-existent in the 5-0 drubbing by the Americans. The game was so frustrating for the Finns that forward Anssi Salmela took out his frustration in a very illegal boarding hit that got him suspended for three games by the IIHF Safety Board. The Finns will definitely be looking for some major revenge on the Americans, so the USA better be ready for a big fight in order to reach the semi-finals.

A little side note, the quarterfinal match ups for the Stockholm group are: (1) Russia vs. (4) Norway and (2) Sweden vs. (Czech Republic). A huge surprise to find Norway in the quarterfinals and even more of a surprise that Norwegian forward Patrick Thoresen, former NHLer,  is among the tournament leaders in points, he has 10 points in just their last two games!!!

Ducks players in Worlds:

Team Canada (advancing):

• F – Ryan Getzlaf: 7 GP, 2 G, 6 A, 8 P, 0 PIM, +7
• F – Corey Perry: 7 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 P, 8 PIM, +8

Team USA (advancing):

• D – Cam Fowler: 7 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 P, 2 PIM, +6
• F – Bobby Ryan: 7 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 P, 0 PIM, +3
• F – Kyle Palmieri: 6 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, 8 PIM, +1

Team Switzerland (eliminated):

• D – Luca Sbisa: 7 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 P, 8 PIM, -6

Quarterfinals Schedule:

CAN vs. SVK: Thursday, May 17, 3:00 AM (Anaheim Time)

RUS vs. NOR: Thursday, May 17, 5:45 AM (Anaheim Time)

USA vs. FIN: Thursday, May 17, 8:30 AM (Anaheim Time)

SWE vs. CZE: Thursday, May 17, 11:15 AM (Anaheim Time)

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Team USA Advances to Quarterfinals - Ducks Daily Blog - Ducks Daily Blog - An Anaheim Ducks Blog

Honda Center, formerly known as Arrowhead Pond (via nhl.com)

A few weeks ago my roommate and I decided to create all-time teams for all of the NHL teams for when NHL 13 comes out next fall. So, naturally, I called the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim/Anaheim Ducks franchise. This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had make. I have a rough final roster, but I’m not entirely sure that’s how I’m going to have it made in NHL 13. I had to leave out some players that I really like. Without further ado, here is a screenshot of my excel worksheet:

My excel worksheet for the All-Time Mighty Ducks of Anaheim/Anaheim Ducks Team

All of the names on the top half were the players I had under consideration. The final rough draft is the bold names on the bottom half. The goalies were pretty obvious for me. I chose Hiller over Guy Hebert because 1) Hiller is already in the game, so I don’t have to create Hebert and 2) I think Hiller right now is better than Hebert. It was easy to determine some of the defenseman, but when I got down to the last couple defenseman, it was difficult to decide who makes it and who doesn’t. I originally had Sandis Ozolinsh over Francois Beauchemin, but in the end, I felt Beauchemin is way more of a Duck than Ozolinsh, even though I think Ozolinshin his prime was better than Beauchemin in his prime.

For right wingers, the first three were no brainers, Selanne, Perry and Ryan. The fourth right winger I’m still not sure about. It’s either going to be Joffrey Lupul or Petr Sykora, so that’s not final. At center, there were some good players as well. If Sergei Federov had played one more season with the Ducks, he would be the first line center. However, I made the decision to not include him because he only played 85 games as a Ducks. After him, I felt that Getzlaf, McDonald, Rucchin and Rob Niedermayer were the best four centers I could have. However, I may substitute Koivu in somewhere, center or winger, just in case. Finally, the left wingers. Besides Paul Kariya, there really isn’t any real good options. I moved Petr Sykora over from left wing, however, that’s not final. Kunitz and Leclerc are pretty good third and fourth line left wingers though. As a whole, the team, I think, is pretty good. Obviously, the franchise that have been around way longer will have better all-time teams, but I’m satisfied with this team. Feel free to give your opinions!

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My (Rough Draft) All-Time Ducks Team - Ducks Daily Blog - Ducks Daily Blog - An Anaheim Ducks Blog