AnaheimDucks.com

The 2013-14 season was filled with new franchise records, player milestones, incredible comeback victories, and of course, memories of Teemu Selanne. Anaheim concluded the season with a record of 54-20-8, the best mark in club history. The Ducks finished with the top record in the Western Conference for the first time in franchise history and set season records for standings points (116), wins (54) and win/points percentage (.707). In addition, the Ducks led the league in goals (263) for the first time in club history (excluding shootout tallies) and established season bests for goals (263), home wins (29) road wins (25), home points (62) and road points (54). AnaheimDucks.com will count down the top 25 moments from past season in the coming weeks. Here is the second installment: 16-20.

20. October 6, 2013

Teemu Returns to Winnipeg

When Teemu Selanne announced the 2013-14 season would be his last, many circled his trip to Winnipeg as must-see television. They didn’t wait long, as the newest addition to the Western Conference hosted its former beloved star in Anaheim’s third game of the season. The pandemonium started the night before, as fans waited outside the team hotel for a chance to meet Selanne. He didn’t disappoint, meeting with the group and signing autographs until the early morning hours.

The crowd at MTS Centre welcomed Selanne with a standing ovation, and the team honored him with a video tribute. The Ducks would go on to win the game, 3-2, on a third period tally from Corey Perry. Just as it started, the night ended with a tribute to Selanne, as he was named the First Star of the game.

“It was a very special night,” he said after the game. “I knew it was going to be my last one here. It was emotional, but I tried to keep my emotions [under control]. Great memories here.”

19. November 22, 2013

Getzlaf Delivers Last-Second Win over Tampa Bay

The Ducks had their fair share of dramatic wins, with captain Ryan Getzlaf at the center of many of those moments. The spotlight would shine directly on him against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anaheim entered the tilt with losses in five straight games, and starter Viktor Fasth was a late scratch after suffering an injury during warm ups. The two teams battled to a scoreless draw through regulation and nearly all of OT, combining for 73 shots. It seemed the game was destined for a shootout when Getzlaf received the puck late in the extra session.

He would change that with a desperation shot from the left wing. Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop couldn’t handle the shot, and defenseman Sami Salo whiffed on the rebound. That gave Getzlaf one more whack. His attempt rolled off the skate of Bishop and snuck behind him as he desperately tried to grab it. Richard Panik dove to stop it, but pushed the puck across the goal line to give the Ducks a 1-0 win with just 5.6 seconds remaining in the extra session. That marked Anaheim’s first 1-0 overtime win since 2008, a victory Getzlaf would celebrate in style.

18. January 5, 2014

Perry Completes the Comeback

The Ducks lived up to their “Comeback Kids” moniker once again this season, with several dramatic come-from-behind victories. One of those was Anaheim’s comeback effort against the Vancouver Canucks on January 5, the third of eight straight wins to kick off the New Year. Despite a heavy advantage in shots, the Ducks found themselves down by one goal late in regulation. Their title as the last unbeaten team on home ice looked to be in serious danger until a Nick Bonino goal tied the game and sent it to overtime. Then, Corey Perry took matters into his own hands.

The Canucks looked like they would force a shootout, clearing the zone with less than seven seconds remaining in the extra session. Bonino found the puck at his own blueline and quickly sent it to Ryan Getzlaf, who carried the puck into Vancouver’s end. He sent a perfect pass to Perry, who split Christopher Tanev and Dan Hamhuis in the left circle. His quick shot beat Eddie Lack with 0.6 seconds left and sent the Ducks pouring off the bench to celebrate yet another comeback victory.

17. December 28, 2013

A Franchise-Best Win Streak

The Ducks reeled off plenty of impressive win streaks this season, but none compare to their 10-game romp during December. The streak saw wins against the top teams in the conference (Chicago and St. Louis) and four wins on the East Coast. Getting to double digits with a win over the rival Coyotes, however, would not be an easy task.

Anaheim looked in control in the third period, leading Phoenix by two goals as the clock ticked to 10 minutes remaining in regulation. The Coyotes would chip away at that advantage, cutting the deficit in half with 4:34 left in the third period. Mike Ribeiro completed their comeback effort, scoring the game-tying goal with just 44 seconds remaining in regulation.

The sting of losing a lead wouldn’t last long for the Ducks. Saku Koivu played hero in this one, deflecting a Ben Lovejoy shot past goaltender Mike Smith for the game-winning goal just 51 seconds into overtime.

16. November 12, 2013

Enshrined into the Hall of Fame

One of the most decorated players in the league, former New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer entered the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 12, 2013. Niedermayer is the only player in hockey history to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, World Championship, World Cup, Memorial Cup and World Junior Title. He also captured the James Norris Trophy in 2004 and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy Winner when the Ducks won their Stanley Cup championship in 2007.

In his speech, Niedermayer spoke glowingly about his time with the Ducks and thanked the organization for allowing him to play with his brother, Rob.

“One of my best memories was getting the chance to compete alongside my brother, Rob,” he told the audience during his speech. “As tough as it was shaking hands after the 2003 Final, it made passing you the Cup in 2007 all the more memorable. You were an important part of that team, and I couldn’t be prouder to call you my brother.”



Previous Top Moments of 2013-14

Moments 21-25