THANK YOU PERRY MUCH, DUCKS BEAT THRASHERS 3-2 IN OT

Anaheim Ducks winger Corey Perry does it again.  A shorthanded goal in regulation and another in overtime, as well as one by Ryan Getzlaf, lifts the Ducks over the Kovalchuk-less Atlanta Thrashers.  Perry now has four goals in his last three games and the Ducks extend their win streak to three.

Earlier in the day, Russian scoring phenom Ilya Kovalchuk was traded to the Vancouver Canucks along with defenseman Christoph Schubert, and center Marty Reasoner for Canucks center Ryan Kesler, right wing Pavol Demitra, and defenseman Kevin Bieksa.

Just under three minutes into the first period, Ryan Getzlaf put the ducks up by one, as the Ducks seemed to control play throughout the entire period.

Like the first, the Ducks scored quickly in the second period.  Perry buried a shot while shorthanded to put the Ducks up by two goals, putting Atlanta in a precarious position.  They responded quickly.  Just 47 seconds later, Atlanta right wing Maxim Afinogenov burst through a few Duck defenders to put one by Jonas Hiller.

The third period was dominated by the Thrashers.  Newly aquired Thrasher Demitra scored halfway through the third, tying the game up and giving the Thrashers a much needed momentum switch.  Hiller yet again gave a spectacular performance to keep the Ducks in the game.



Overtime brought a powerplay for each team, but it would be Perry coming to the rescue for the Ducks.  Coming up through center ice, Perry wound up for a slapshot but was muted and he was thrown to the ice by a Thrasher defenseman.  As the defenseman skated away, Perry got up and planted himself at the side of Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen while Getzlaf controlled the puck in the corner.  Seeing Perry alone infront, Getzlaf got the puck to him to end the game.

3 Stars
1. Perry - ana (2g, 1a)
2. Getzlaf - ana (1g, 1a)
3. Hiller - ana (27saves)

Anaheim Ducks (home)
Goals: Perry (1sh, 1pp), Getzlaf
Assists: Sexton (2), Perry, Niedermayer, Getzlaf
PP - 1/3
PK - 3/3

Montreal Canadiens (away)
Goals: Afinogenov, Demitra
Assists: ???
PP - 0/3
PK - 1/3