Four Games in Five Nights? That’s March Madness

The Mighty Ducks are gearing up for a March stretch drive, which could bring them a spot in the playoffs. But looming is a brutal schedule where the Ducks play four games in five nights, caused by a scheduling conflict with the Arrowhead Pond.

Arena officials landed the NCAA West Regional, to be played March 27 and 29. Duck officials were told that March 26 was an open date and they submitted that to the NHL. However, NCAA officials requested the arena for the entire week, leaving the Ducks out in the cold.

“We’ve had meetings about [the NCAA regional] for the last year,” said Tim Ryan, the Pond’s general manager. “We’ve been talking with CBS about the best way to present the event.”

Duck officials said they were informed of the change two months ago. They were forced to reschedule a game against San Jose, originally set for March 26, to March 13, a day after they play Chicago. The Ducks play at Phoenix on March 15 and face Calgary at the Pond on March 16.

“The NCAA demanded the entire week, so [Pond officials] asked us to help them out and we did,” General Manager Bryan Murray said.

Moving the San Jose game also created a five-day stretch without a game in late March.

After the break, the Ducks finish the season with games against Vancouver, Nashville, Dallas and Colorado.

“The schedule doesn’t help us,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “Playing four games in five nights is a tough stretch. We also have five days and then play four games in six nights.”