Rookie Fowler Gets Winning Shoot Out Goal Over Oilers

Added on Dec 09, 2010 by J Merrill in

NHL

After Cam Fowler watched Nikolai Khabibulin blank the Ducks through out the Over timer period, Fowler’s goal in the 10th round lifted Anaheim to a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers after the Ducks blew a two-goal lead in the third period on Tuesday night.

The rookie defenseman, in his 24th NHL game and who turned 19 on Sunday said of the shot “I wanted to shoot. I didn’t want to risk putting a move on because Khabibulin had already made some really nice saves on guys that have way better moves than me. I thought my best chance was to go in and pick a spot. Luckily it found the back of the net.” He concluded “It was definitely entertaining, but I’m probably saying that because I’m on the winning end.”

Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle, who drafted Fowler 12^th overall last June, decided it was time for his first shootout attempt. “I asked him and I asked a few guys,” Carlyle said. “He was, ‘I don’t know, I think I can do it.’ Then, he goes out and does it. Some guys kind of hide. Other guys like to step up. When it goes that deep and you’ve got 10 shooters, you need a break to go your way. Both goaltenders made some big stops.”

One thing is for sure, the win didn’t come easy for the Ducks. Anaheim had a two goal lead on the Oilers with a goal by Saku Koivu early in the second (The goal was the first for the Ducks in 146 minutes,) and a backhand shot by Teemu Selanne early in the third. Unfortunately they squandered the lead in under 4 minutes in the third period. Ryan Jones scored with a snap shot at 10:29, and Dustin Penner Scored a wrist shot 3 minutes later for the Oilers.

Coach Carlyle continued “Any coach will take a win, it doesn’t matter how you get it. We’re not going to critique a win from our standpoint. After being shut out two games in a row, it was nice to get a couple. We actually missed some other opportunities.”

Edmonton Oilers Coach Tom Renney felt the one point was good because of the way they were being handled after two and a half periods, but wanted the win. “You have to find ways to win and overcome adversity. We want points so that we can make the playoffs. You never know what point or points it is going to be so we’re going to make this a valuable point.” The Oilers have had 3 games out of 4 go into overtime so far in December, and this is the first one they lost.

Shawn Horcoff hurt his right knee during a first-period hit by Corey Perry. He is expected to be out of the lineup for eight weeks. “I felt it kind of pop right away,” Horcoff said. “We’ll know how bad it is when I get the MRI. It’s going to be tough to sit out. Hopefully the team plays well and makes it easier.”

The Anaheim Ducks (14-13-3,) who are now 3rd in Pacific Division, face the Vancouver Canucks ((14-8-3, 31pts ) Wednesday in Vancouver. The Edmonton Oilers (10-12-5,) 5th in Northwest Division, will face the Tampa Bay Lightening (15-10-3, 33pts) at home on Friday.