Ducks’ Trevor Zegras analyzes latest attempts at ‘The Michigan’
IRVINE — The Ducks were back on the ice Tuesday at practice after a three-day holiday break but not all were compelled to take a complete break from the sport.
Trevor Zegras caught a bit of the televised action from the World Junior Hockey Championship, which included some of the Czech Republic’s 5-2 victory over Canada on Monday in Halifax.
Big-picture thoughts are all well and good but the main reason to consult Zegras had to do with “The Michigan.” In fact, there were separate attempts at the lacrosse-style shot in one game – from Canadian forwards Adam Fantilli and Connor Bedard – but neither converted.
Last season, Zegras scored “The Michigan” against the Montreal Canadiens and earlier set up teammate Sonny Milano’s Michigan goal against the Buffalo Sabres.
And so, the verdict from one of hockey’s trendsetters?
“I missed the first one, but I saw Bedard’s,” Zegras said. “Thought it was pretty sweet. I think they’ve got to pick it up a little bit quicker. I think they’re making it too obvious. A little more discreet, maybe a little quicker.”
Goalies are becoming more aware, apparently.
Said Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal, smiling: “I know Z has tried it a couple of times (in practice), but he never scored on me. I saw it coming.”
Attempts at a splashy move in Canada’s first game of the junior tournament naturally created something of a social media stir. Former NHL defenseman and radio broadcaster/podcaster Shane O’Brien, who played 62 of his 537 games in the league with the Ducks, was not impressed and took to Twitter.
“Enough with the Michigan plays and toe drags,” O’Brien tweeted.
Then again, Team Canada’s upset loss might have had something to do with the anti-Michigan rhetoric swirling around.
“If they would have won that game 8-3, it’s a different narrative around the move,” Zegras said. “Everybody is blaming the move for them losing, which makes no sense.
“I loved it (the move). I thought it was awesome.”
Ducks coach Dallas Eakins spoke about it in terms of the way the game is progressing. Once, in another era, the saucer pass drew the ire of one of his coaches.
“I remember in practice – one of my first years as a pro – a coach stopping practice and screaming at us – quit (fooling) around and pass it hard on the ice,” Eakins said. “That saucer pass is the lifeblood of any power play, the lifeblood of O-zone play. You’ve got to be able to do it.
“(The Michigan) is another skill play. If there was a better play at the time, then OK. If there is somebody wide open in the slot, and you can make an easy play, then so be it. If there’s nobody there, then have at it. It doesn’t bother me one bit.”
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Ducks goalie John Gibson was a full participant in practice, which bodes well for his return to the lineup on Wednesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights at Honda Center. Gibson has been out since sustaining a lower-body injury against Toronto on Dec. 13, leaving the game in the second period. Dostal came on in relief and then started the next five games before the holiday break.
“We’re going to see how he (Gibson) reacts overnight and make the call in the morning,” Eakins said. “The fact he got through practice is very positive.”
Anthony Stolarz, injured when he came on in relief of Gibson on Dec. 9, did not practice with the main group but skated earlier at Great Park Ice. He is making progress and could join the full team soon, Eakins said. Still sidelined are forwards Max Jones and Derek Grant.