Tag: Anaheim

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NHL (National Hockey League)

The Ducks are ready for their upcoming away game against the Kings in Los Angeles

Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

The Anaheim Ducks are happy with their recent performance in the standings. They have a chance to improve even more before the two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off when they play the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.

Anaheim has won five of its last six games, bringing them within nine points of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The Ducks, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2018, were just seven points behind a playoff spot after beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Tuesday.

After a day off on Wednesday, the Ducks had two days of practice to prepare for Los Angeles, who won 5-4 in a shootout against the Dallas Stars on Friday for their third straight win.

“Our team hasn’t really been in a spot to feel that type of added enthusiasm, or emphasis on those games,” said Ducks forward Ryan Strome about the playoff race. “Now we’re in a position where these games are all going to be a little bit more impactful, a little more meaningful. And, with saying that, we kind of have to take a step together and be ready for that challenge.”

The Ducks have struggled against the Kings, going 2-10-1 in their past 13 matchups, and losing the first two games between the teams this season. However, they’ve been stronger against top teams recently.

Anaheim has won both games against the Winnipeg Jets, who lead the Central Division, since their last loss to the Kings. They’ve also split games with the Pacific Division-leading Edmonton Oilers and defeated teams like the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, and Tampa Bay Lightning, all of which are higher in the standings than Anaheim.

“I think there’s been a lot of confidence with the group,” said Ducks coach Greg Cronin. “I think it started back when we beat Winnipeg a month and a half ago at home. We had that road trip where we got a little bit sloppy, but I think we got back on the rails pretty quickly. When you win, it builds belief into what you’re doing.”

Los Angeles Kings players react after a goal in the 2nd period

The Kings have been tough to beat at home, winning 12 of their last 13 games, with a 17-3-1 record at home this season.

Los Angeles is third in the Pacific Division, but they were only three points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks and five points in front of the Calgary Flames. The Ducks are 12 points behind the Kings.

Kings coach Jim Hiller respected the Ducks’ offense enough to save starting goalie Darcy Kuemper for their game against Anaheim, choosing to start David Rittich against the Stars on Friday.

“Obviously, we’ve got to play hard,” said Kings forward Phillip Danault, who had two assists against the Stars. “It’s always a hard game against the Ducks. Get the crowd going again and get the two points and go for a little trip on the road.”

Kevin Fiala has been on fire for the Kings, scoring five goals in the past three games, with all three being multipoint games.

Adrian Kempe leads the Kings with 24 goals and is tied with Anze Kopitar for the most points (45). Kempe had been Los Angeles’ top scorer at other points this season but went six games without a point before collecting an assist against the Stars.

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MLB (Baseball)

The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to extend their lease at Angel Stadium in Anaheim until 2032

Fans enter Angels Stadium before the start of a baseball game in Anaheim (MLB)

The Los Angeles Angels have decided to extend their lease at Angel Stadium until 2032.

The team and the city of Anaheim, which owns the stadium, made the announcement on Wednesday about the extension that will keep the Angels in the stadium they have used since 1966.

Currently, the team’s lease runs through 2029, but it includes three three-year options for extensions, which could keep the team in the stadium until 2038 if exercised.

“We are excited to announce that we have extended our lease securing the Big A as the home of Angels Baseball into the next decade,” said Angels spokesperson Marie Garvey. “As we prepare for our 60th season in Anaheim, we wanted our fans and community partners to know that Angels Baseball and its foundation remain committed to being an active part of this city and region.”

Angel Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in Major League Baseball, has undergone many renovations over the years, just like other older stadiums such as Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Dodger Stadium.

The Angels and the city share revenue from things like ticket sales, parking, and events at the ballpark, which was called Anaheim Stadium for its first 32 years.

Los Angeles Angels (MLB)

Angels owner Arte Moreno has expressed his interest in purchasing Angel Stadium and the land around it for years. He planned to build a new stadium and develop the parking lots. In 2020, the city approved a $320 million sale to Moreno, but the deal fell through in 2022 after a corruption investigation involving Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, who resigned.

Just across Katella Avenue from Angel Stadium, the Anaheim Ducks’ owner Henry Samueli is building a $4 billion project, OCVibe, which will feature a 100-acre entertainment district with residential and commercial developments around the NHL team’s Honda Center.

While the Angels’ future is still uncertain, the current extension makes it clear that Moreno is unlikely to build a new stadium within the next four years.

“The extension is not the result of any long-term discussions between the team and the city, and there are no long-term lease or other talks underway,” the city said in a statement.

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FEATURED

John Gibson leads Ducks to win over Stars in Anaheim

Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars

John Gibson made 26 saves to earn the win in his 500th NHL game as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Tuesday night in Anaheim.

This was Gibson’s 202nd career victory, making him the 11th active goaltender and 85th in NHL history to reach 500 games.

Trevor Zegras and Cutter Gauthier scored for Anaheim, which won its fifth game in the last six. It was the Ducks’ first win with two or fewer goals since the season opener, a 2-0 shutout over San Jose on Oct. 12. Anaheim is now 2-24-4 when scoring two or fewer goals.

Colin Blackwell scored for Dallas, and Jake Oettinger stopped 26 shots. The Stars’ five-game winning streak was snapped, and this was Oettinger’s first loss in nine starts against Anaheim.

The Ducks took a 1-0 lead at 17:47 of the first period when Gauthier grabbed a loose puck in the slot and fired it into the top right corner.

Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

Dallas tied it early in the third period when Blackwell scored off a pass from Sam Steel, who set him up with a backhand pass from the left circle.

Anaheim regained the lead just 2:38 later when Zegras, left alone in front of the net, redirected Alex Killorn’s no-look pass from the left circle past Oettinger for the game-winner.

Oettinger was pulled for an extra attacker with 2:08 remaining. After Frank Vatrano missed a chance at the empty net, Gibson made a glove save on Wyatt Johnston’s wrist shot from close range.

Gibson sealed the win with another save on Jason Robertson’s wrist shot with 19 seconds left.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Ducks and Stars face off in Anaheim after strong runs

Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

The Dallas Stars are bringing a five-game winning streak with them to California for a three-game road trip that begins Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Stars, who are second in the Central Division and eight points behind the first-place Winnipeg Jets, will finish the trip with games in Los Angeles on Friday and San Jose on Saturday, before a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Tuesday’s game will be the second of three meetings this season between the Stars and Ducks. Anaheim won the first game 4-2 on Nov. 18 in Dallas, with Lukas Dostal making 34 saves and Brett Leason contributing a goal and two assists.

Dallas coach Pete DeBoer was disappointed with his team’s performance in that loss, which ended a three-game winning streak. Anaheim led 3-0 after two periods, but Dallas came back with goals from Esa Lindell and Matt Duchene in the third period. A late goal from Jackson LaCombe sealed the win for the Ducks.

“This type of game is going to happen to everybody in the league at some point. Over an 82-game schedule, you’re going to have a game where you’re either off, flat or get behind and can’t come back,” DeBoer said. “It’s over with; there’s nothing we can do about it now. It’s all about our response.”

Since that loss, Dallas has gone 23-11-1 and is third in the NHL with 69 points.

The Stars kept their streak alive with a 5-3 comeback win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. Evgenii Dadonov scored twice in the third period, Wyatt Johnston had a goal and an assist, and Mason Marchment, who had been out since taking a puck to the face on Dec. 27, also scored.

Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars (NHL)

“My nose was shattered, so just breathing was the hardest part,” said Marchment, who had surgery on his face and is wearing a special bubble shield. “It was swollen for so long, and it took so long for me to breathe out of my nose. You need to breathe out of your nose to play, so that was probably the worst part.”

Anaheim comes into the game with a 4-1 record in their last five games. They most recently won 3-2 over the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday after coming back from a 2-0 deficit. Mason McTavish, who has scored seven goals in his last six games, and Frank Vatrano, with five goals in his last six games, both scored in the second period to tie the game. Alex Killorn netted the game-winner in the third period.

“After the first period, we did a better job getting up ice, creating more,” said Killorn, who also had an assist. “We didn’t spend as much time in the (defensive) zone.”

Anaheim, which is 6-1-1 in its last eight home games at Honda Center, improved to 21-0-2 when scoring three goals in a game. The win was the fifth time this season the Ducks have come back from a multi-goal deficit to win.

“It’s great. It’s great to come back,” Killorn said. “(But) I think we’d rather not come back to win games and just get ahead. It shows the resilience of this group.”

The victory moved the Ducks into sixth place in the Pacific Division, just nine points behind Calgary for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

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MLB (Baseball)

In Anaheim, Mickey Moniak won his arbitration case against the Angels, while Leiter heads to a hearing

Mickey Moniak hits a home run in the 9th inning

Mickey Moniak won his salary arbitration case against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, receiving a raise to $2 million instead of the team’s offer of $1.5 million. Melinda Gordon, Samantha Tower, and John Woods made the decision after hearing arguments the day before.

Reliever Mark Leiter Jr. became the first player to go to a hearing with the New York Yankees since pitcher Dellin Betances lost in 2017. Leiter requested $2.5 million, while the Yankees offered $2.05 million. The decision for Leiter will be made after a ruling on Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia and will be announced at the same time as Pittsburgh pitcher Dennis Santana’s decision.

San Diego pitcher Michael King avoided a hearing when he agreed to a one-year deal worth $7.75 million. Milwaukee catcher William Contreras also reached an agreement, guaranteeing him $6.1 million.

Moniak, who hit .219 with 14 home runs and a career-high 49 RBIs last year, was eligible for arbitration for the first time after earning $770,000.

Michael King pitches in the 1st inning

Six other players are scheduled for hearings through February 14. Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo has asked for $5.95 million, with the team offering $5.8 million.

On Wednesday, right-hander Jovan Oviedo lost his arbitration case against the Pittsburgh Pirates and will earn $850,000 instead of his requested $1.15 million.

Leiter, who turns 34 in March, had a 4-5 record with a 4.50 ERA in 60 relief appearances for the Chicago Cubs and Yankees. He joined the Yankees on July 30, finishing with a 2-1 record and a 4.98 ERA for them.

He made six postseason appearances, including a key role in Game 4 of the Division Series against Cleveland, where he preserved a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning. The Yankees won 8-6, and Leiter pitched three scoreless innings over four World Series games against the Dodgers.

In addition to Vesia and Rengifo, other players still set for hearings include Washington Nationals first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and St. Louis Cardinals players: outfielder/infielder Brendan Donovan, outfielder Lars Nootbaar, and right-hander Andre Pallante.