Ducks Fall to Sharks in Spirited Opening Game of Golden State Rookie Faceoff

Ducks prospects Alexis Mathieu, Tim Washe and Yegor Sidorov each had goals, but the Ducks couldn't overcome a half dozen from the Sharks in a 6-3 defeat in an entertaining opening game of the Golden State Rookie Faceoff presented by Arrowhead Water. In front of a near-capacity crowd at Great Park Ice and FivePoint Arena in Irvine, both teams took part in a physical battle that featured a number of hard hits and a handful of fights.

Vyacheslav Buteyets and Micheal McIvor split time in net for the Ducks.

FINAL STATS

Will Francis, a Ducks sixth round draft pick in 2019 and a three-time cancer survivor, played in his first NHL rookie tournament game and took part in one of those scraps. “It’s a surreal experience,” Francis said prior to the game. “Ever since 2019, it’s been something that’s been a goal of mine and a dream of mine. It’s just super cool to finally achieve it after everything I’ve been through.

“Looking back at 2019, I probably hoped it would’ve came a little earlier but, in the end, good things come to those who wait.”

The Ducks play the final game of the tournament Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Kings. The Sharks and Kings battle tomorrow at 1 p.m. For ticket information, visit anaheimducks.com/goldenstaterookiefaceoff.