Children Provide Loud Inspiration

Coach Craig Hartsburg liked what he saw--and heard--during the Ducks’ intrasquad scrimmage before 11,500 screaming schoolchildren at the Arrowhead Pond.

The Ducks’ increased speed and skill was evident, particularly in the play of newcomers such as center Andy McDonald, wingers Jonas Ronnqvist and Maxim Rybin and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Rybin beat Giguere on a penalty shot to give the white team a 3-2 victory over the purple team after the teams had tied in regulation time, 2-2.

Playing in front of the school kids added a bit of atmosphere that was lacking in the Ducks’ first three days of workouts at their Anaheim training facility. In the end, it was quite a field trip for players and kids alike.

“All the teachers deserve [credit] for bringing all the kids here today,” Hartsburg said. “It was lots of fun for the guys. We saw some good things. I thought the tempo really picked up in the third period. It was a good day for everybody.”