After losing the opener, game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup first round series was almost a must win for the Anaheim Ducks and they scored twice and early on the power play and evened this series with a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators. 50 goal scorer during the regular season Corey Perry hit the back of the net at 5:24 of the first period with the extra man and 38 seconds later it was 40 year old Teemu Selanne burying one past Preds goalie Pekka Rinne also on the PP for a quick 2 goal Ducks lead. Nashville fell behind 4-1 but scored 2 straight in the 3rd period to make it close before Bobby Ryan’s empty netter in the final minute put it away. Ray Emery made his first start of the series in goal for the Ducks and stopped 31 shots including a handful of beauties. And after the game, I was able to speak with a few of the key Ducks who helped them win this one including their very happy standout goaltender…

Ducks goalie Ray Emery with Ted Sobel:

The always personable Bobby Ryan tallied his first 2 goals of the playoffs (his second career postseason multi-goal and multi-point game) and then I did better than Rinne, and was able to ‘stop’ him in the locker room…{remember that most pictures can be enlarged by just clicking on it with your mouse}

Bobby Ryan with Ted Sobel:

With another goal tonight, Selanne in 73 career postseason contests with Anaheim leads the club in all-time scoring (28-27=55). And like vintage wine Mr. Selanne will be able to score goals when he’s 80 but since he’s only half way there, he gave me a few precious moments to discuss this nice win…

Teemu Selanne with Ted Sobel:

With the win the Ducks improved their all-time postseason record at HOME to 32-17 (.653 win percentage) and the 2 clubs now head to Tennessee for games 3 and 4 while guaranteeing a game 5 back here at Honda Center a week from tonight. And while the Ducks are now even in their series the Kings will try to do the same in less than 24 hours in San Jose. Next up for me, game one Sunday afternoon at Staples between the 2nd seeded Lakers and #7 seed New Orleans Hornets in what figures to be a lopsided first round series for the back to back champs. Although as Kobe labeled them recently as “weird” (since we never know what team will show up lately) they need to prove that they are capable of sending Phil Jackson into retirement as the first in basketball history to coach 4 seperate 3-peats? Stop and think about how amazing that is! Also some great news ‘FINALLY’, Phil’s mentor and friend (and one of my mentors when I called his games at Long Beach State) Tex Winter is a Hall of Famer and you know he’ll be watching this Lakers team just like all of us. So let the games begin!