Ducks reach NHL Western Conference finals

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

ANAHEIM, United States (AFP) — The Anaheim Ducks booked their second straight trip to the National Hockey League's Western Conference finals Thursday with a double-overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

Scott Niedermayer scored 4 1/2 minutes into the second extra period, giving the Ducks a 2-1 victory and a four-games-to-one triumph in their best-of-seven second-round series.

The Ducks, who advanced to the conference finals for the third time in four seasons, await the winner of the series between Detroit and San Jose. The Red Wings and Sharks currently are even at two games apiece.

With grinders Brad May and Shawn Thornton working tirelessly to keep the puck in the offensive zone, Vancouver finally appeared ready to break up ice. But with his head...