I’ve haven’t always hated the Ducks, after all it’s hard to hate a team that you beat on a regular basis (in the 90’s and 00’s).

Well, all of that changed on March 13, 1998… It had been a good game, the Stars were beating the hell outta the ducks five to one in the third period. And then all of a sudden, Luddy put the annoying Finnish Flash, Selanne into the boards, and he collapsed onto the ice in a heap. Yeah, Luddy might have left his feet and he might have used his elbow, but it didn’t look that bad. And pretty soon afterwards, Selanne got up and was fine. He went off to the room, but seemed to be ok.

Anyhow, I’d been talking to a new Stars fan sitting in front of me all through the game, explaining some of the rules and whatnot. Right after the fight they guy said it was time to go, that the Stars had this in the bag. I told him, you never leave a hockey game early! I’m sure after he got home and saw the highlights on ESPN, he regretted his decision.

What happened over the next 30 minutes was pure hockey gold, one of the most fun games I’ve ever been too! There were so many fights, it was ridiculous, the penalty boxes were completely full. From the Pat “little ball of hate” Verbeek to Guy Carbonneau, the Stars were having to defend themselves against a no talent ducks team, that wanted nothing but retribution. When it was all said and done, the ducks had just four players on the ice and two on the bench, if one more had been tossed, they would have forfeited the game.

In case you don’t remember, here’s some great game highlights, via mike8219 on YouTube

Let’s keep the duck hunting going for a few more games and continue to build into Stanley Cup Champions, again!

Go Stars!!