Sennecke and Gauthier Propel Ducks to Third Consecutive Victory Over Devils
The Anaheim Ducks secured their third consecutive victory by defeating the New Jersey Devils 3-1 in a tightly contested match. This win was propelled by strong performances from players like Gauthier and Vatrano.
Key Moments of the Game
Early in the first period, the Ducks almost went short-handed for the third straight game. Troy Terry was denied twice by Devils goalie Allen during a breakaway attempt. The Ducks struck first, scoring at 14:24 of the first period. Defenseman Jackson LaCombe intercepted a pass from Nico Hischier and assisted Vatrano, who netted his first goal of the season with a powerful one-timer.
Vatrano Shines After Strong Start
- Vatrano scored the team’s second goal, marking his first of the season.
- He previously scored 37 goals for the Ducks two seasons ago.
Following Vatrano’s goal, Gauthier extended the lead to 3-0 early in the second period. He scored on a sharp-angle shot, marking his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Devils’ Response and Analysis
The Devils attempted to rally and break the Ducks’ momentum. Despite their efforts, they allowed the Ducks to capitalize on turnovers. Brenden Dillon, a defenseman for the Devils, noted their struggles in maintaining control. He mentioned, “We continue to force it, turn the puck over, and make the other team look fast.” This highlighted their challenges in countering the Ducks’ speed.
Hughes Cuts the Lead
The Devils managed to avoid a shutout when Jack Hughes scored his team-leading tenth goal during a 2-on-1 rush at 7:43 of the third period. This brought the score to 3-1, creating a sense of urgency for New Jersey.
Conclusion
Despite the early scare, the Ducks maintained control. Coach Quenneville expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating, “I still thought right until the end, we did what we had to do, which is a lot of good things.” With this victory, the Ducks continue to build momentum for the season.
