ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - For all of Corey Perry's talent and dedication, the Anaheim Ducks forward might not be the NHL's leading goal-scorer and an MVP candidate if his longtime center hadn't been hit in the forehead by a puck.
That gruesome deflection into Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf's face right after Christmas forced Perry to take center stage during Getzlaf's absence, and he responded with an amazing season.
Although Perry never shied away from responsibility in his career with the Ducks or the Canadian national team, he had been inseparable from Getzlaf since Anaheim drafted both players in the first round in 2003.
Coach Randy Carlyle believes Getzlaf's absence brought out a new level of excellence from Perry, who claimed the Richard Trophy.
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