The Ducks 2024 rookie camp and the Rookie Faceoff tournament are now in the books. The Ducks prospects finished with a 1-1-1 record, finalized by a 2-1 overtime loss against the prospects from the rival Los Angeles Kings on Monday afternoon in El Segundo.
Takeaways from the Ducks 7-2 Loss Against the Sharks in Rookie Faceoff
After a decisive 7-2 loss on Sunday afternoon at the hands of the San Jose Sharks, Ducks Rookie Faceoff head coach Matt McIlvane stated his team was “excited to have a response” on Monday.
“For me, the game was so much more than about the score,” McIlvane stated after the game. “That was much more like the style of hockey that will make the Anaheim Ducks successful.”
The Kings held the lead for the majority of the game with an early second-period goal from Francesco Pinelli.
Coulson Pitre found the back of the net on the power play with just over five minutes left to go in the game.
With 30 seconds left in the extra frame, Quinn Olson potted the game-winner on a rebound in front, beating Ducks camp invite goaltender Michael McIvor.
Both teams split their goaltending duties in the final game of the tournament. Vyacheslav Buteyets started the game in the crease for the Ducks but was relieved halfway through the second after stopping 10 of 11 shots.
Here are my notes from this game:
Carey Terrance and Coulson Pitre: 2023 draft picks Pitre and Terrance played on a line with Yegor Sidorov. The former two were 200-foot menaces all game, pressuring pucks on the backcheck, disrupting on the forecheck, and creating plays deep in the offensive zone.
“He’s a great guy to play with,” Pitre said after the game about playing on a line with Terrance. “I always know where he is, and I think we play off each other really well. He plays with speed, and he’s just a great guy to be with.”
Trio of Ducks Prospects Emerge as Leaders at Rookie Camp
Connective Game: When Sunday’s game against the Sharks was getting away from the Ducks’ prospects, individuals would attempt several ambitious plays in an effort to claw back into the game.
In Monday’s game, there was a more concerted effort to support pucks deep in the defensive zone as breakouts were unfolding or pucks were dumped deep by the opposition.
Tarin Smith: After an admitted adjustment period, Smith began displaying the tools that earned him a selection by the Ducks in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
He was shifty at the blueline, and once he worked pucks lower in the zone, he looked to attack the middle of the ice or find a teammate in a dangerous spot.
Takeaways from the Ducks 4-3 Victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Rookie Faceoff
Yegor Sidorov: Sidorov is one of the more gifted offensive players in the Ducks organization. His deception and creativity are endless. The question around his play style has always been whether he can translate it to the next levels.
He has taken significant strides in that department and works to establish body position to protect pucks and create space for himself or his linemates. His will be one of the more fascinating developments to watch in the coming years.
Ducks training camp is scheduled to begin Thursday, Sept. 19 at 9 am PST at Great Park Ice in Irvine, CA.
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