The DMV long ago stopped providing 1984 Olympic license plates

• January 24, 2025

Q: Mr. Honk: The other day I saw a California 1984 Olympics license plate. Was that for only those on the Olympic Committee? I worked the ‘84 Olympics but was not aware of these plates and I’d love to buy one now.

– Lisa Stelmar, San Clemente

A: Mention of those Games prompts neat memories for Honk, Lisa and many others – neat plates, too.

Red and blue and, of course, the Olympic rings.

But the Department of Motor Vehicles had a relatively tight window for when orders were accepted: September 1983 to Dec. 31, 1984, Katarina Snow, a DMV spokesperson, told Honk. By January 1990, even those with the plates could not get replacement ones if theirs were damaged.

Those who got them more than 40 years ago can keep renewing them.

In 1990, Olympic Training Center license plates were born to raise money for the construction of such a facility. In 2013, lawmakers put an end to getting those plates.

Now, did you have to be special to get the plates?

Honk knew who to ask: Donald La Plante of Downey (and Honkland) who has them.

“Anyone could buy them,” he told Honk in an email. “Definitely not on the Olympic Committee, although I worked for USC at the time, so I had limited access to the Olympic areas, but anyone could buy the plates. …

“I rarely see (others with) an ’84 Olympic plate now,” La Plante said. “But interestingly enough, I saw (someone) right in front of me in Laguna Beach a few months ago with the plate.”

It is possible that enough interest will surface for 2028 Olympic license plates, with the Games returning to Los Angeles, Lisa, and Honk is keeping an ear to the ground and will keep Honkland updated.

Under current regulations, someone would have to step up.

There has to be 7,500 pre-paid orders rounded up, and Honk hasn’t heard of such an effort yet.

HONKIN’ FACT: Three Southern California letter carriers were honored on Wednesday, Jan. 22, for joining the Million Mile Club for driving that distance without causing an accident or getting a moving violation while on duty: Keith Allred, a 30-year letter carrier; Alan Chang, 37 years; and Bryan Montoya, 34 years. A fourth, Glenn Miyashiro, 50 years, hit the 2-million-mile mark. All work from the Temple City post office.

HONKIN’ FACT No. 2: Someone is hurt or killed by a drunk driver every 79 seconds, according to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving. With the Super Bowl coming, everyone – those who drink and those who might have to dodge an intoxicated motorist – should keep this top of mind.

To ask Honk questions, reach him at [email protected]. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. To see him on the social media platform X: @OCRegisterHonk

​ Orange County Register 

Decision times begin for newly homeless fire victims

• January 24, 2025

As the flames of California history’s most damaging winter began to cool, decision times were about to arrive for tens of thousands of the state’s newest homeless.

Some evacuees had homes to return to; some did not. This was almost like a random lottery. But those whose homes fell to the mid-January firestorms suddenly face decisions they never wanted to think about.

The questions are no different from those that confronted victims of many fires over the last few years, but are made different and maybe more difficult because of scale. Never before have more than 10,000-plus fire victim households faced these issues simultaneously.

Do they rebuild, or do they sell the land long occupied by their ravaged homes? Do they settle for what insurance companies are willing to pass out, or hire a lawyer? With insurance companies bringing claims adjusters from around the nation, many of them unfamiliar with California conditions, do they hire a public adjuster to fight lowball damage evaluations?

Amid a housing shortage, do they seek a temporary rental or try to buy something in what is fast becoming a seller’s market? Do they want to keep living in what proved to be a hazardous environment, no matter how benign it seemed for previous decades?

The paths many will choose were eased only a little by an executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom while flames were still spreading. He took the California Environmental Quality Act off the table, so environmental impact reports will no longer be a necessity for anyone rebuilding anything even similar to a previous abode or commercial building. CEQA never applied to individual homes, so this will aid only developers doing multiple rebuilds. For those who lost homes at or near the beach, Newsom’s order means the state Coastal Commission won’t have a voice in how or what they can build.

But what about folks in their 70s and 80s? One 85-year-old Pacific Palisades resident whose longtime home burned down said he would rebuild. Noting he would be about 90 when that project ends, he said, “So I’ll be 90? So what?”

Others in that age cohort will no doubt opt to take insurance settlements and sell their land for others to rebuild upon, while moving to condominiums in untouched areas or to independent and assisted living facilities.

Younger homeowners will for the most part rebuild, as has happened with most residents of other fire-ravaged areas from Santa Rosa and Napa to San Diego and Malibu.

Whether in Northern California or Southern California, in a forest or along the ocean, reporters visiting the blackened scenes of fires a week or two after blazes end often are told by determined residents, “This is the price of living in paradise. We knew the risk and we’re coming back.”

To obtain fire insurance when they do that, they will have to use fire-resistant materials not commonly employed in earlier eras when most of the destroyed homes were built. Stone and Spanish tile roofs will be more common. So will fireproof siding. Finer screens will be deployed over vents where flying embers sometimes enter homes and ignite attics. Landscaping will employ more fire-resistant vegetation and fewer trees that can fall or spread flames. Nothing on the exterior will be placed even near to most walls.

Homes and buildings thus will more resemble small forts than ever before in California. There will be more brickwork, too, even if that can be an earthquake hazard.

The entire process, replete with permitting delays and contractor cost overruns in the coming boom construction market, will take more than five years, during which whole sections of cities will be grossly underpopulated.

There will be scams and gouging galore, even though some hotels and merchants now are offering deep discounts to fire evacuees. Some lawyers will demand unethically large percentages of insurance settlements. Imposter contractors will collect deposits, only to disappear.

So one watchword for the rebuilding will be “caveat emptor” – let the buyer beware.

But California will also see displays of fortitude, courage, generosity and family closeness. In short, the wide panoply of human behavior and emotions will operate closer to the surface than usual, with survivors needing to be as watchful now as they were while evacuating.

Email Thomas Elias at [email protected].

​ Orange County Register 

Top-rated kegel exercise balls for pelvic floor training

• January 24, 2025

Which kegel exercise balls are best?

Kegel exercises can help you improve your pubococcygeus or PC muscle health and strengthen your pelvic floor. While you can perform them without any tools, kegel exercise balls help boost the intensity and efficiency of your workout. The Intimate Rose Kegel Exercise Weights feature six weight levels that work well for both experienced users and novices.

What to know before you buy a kegel exercise ball

Materials

Kegel balls are vaginally inserted, so buy products composed of top-quality materials. The material of the ball needs to be simple to clean and smooth. Choose a ball composed of glass, metal or FDA-approved, medical-grade silicone. Inexpensive materials can place your body at risk, so select your product with caution.

Take a look at the packaging, and make sure the materials are marked body-safe, medical-grade or FDA-approved. It can also help to choose a medical-grade silicone ball with a string attached if you’re a beginner since it makes it simpler for your kegel muscle to grip the exercise ball.

How to use

Follow the following steps when using your kegel exercise ball:

• Practice good hygiene. Make sure your kegel balls are cleaned properly to avoid infections, particularly with first-time use. Sterilize the ball as soon as you take it out of the packaging.
• Lie on your back. Start by lying on your back in a comfortable spot, then slowly proceed and pay attention to your body for any signs of discomfort. Grab some water-based lubricant and add a tiny amount to the balls if you feel any pain or have trouble inserting the balls before trying again.
• Assess your body. Once the balls are securely placed inside, assess your body. Are you relaxed? Do you feel confident and comfortable? Do you notice the weight of the ball? Do you feel a stimulating sensation? Adapt the workout and the position of the balls if you feel uncomfortable in any way.
• Stand up. After you’ve properly positioned the kegel balls, clench your pelvic floor muscles open and closed as you stand up. Try a variety of movements with the kegel balls, including squeezing and holding them in place or moving them up and down.
• Remove the balls. Take your time when removing the kegel balls. If the ball has a string attached, grab the string, slowly release your kegel muscle and pull the ball out slowly. If you don’t have a ball with a string attached, don’t just let go of the ball. Instead, you need to have full, steady control.
• Clean the balls. After removing the balls from your vagina, clean them immediately to prevent bacterial growth. Then dry them and put them away in a cool, dry location.

Cleaning

Some people don’t clean their kegel exercise balls often enough. Not cleaning the balls frequently enough can place you at risk of a pH imbalance, irritations and urinary tract infections, so it’s crucial to clean the whole ball thoroughly. If the ball comes with a string, keep the string as clean as possible, since it can pose health issues over time, even if it’s not fully inside you.

What to look for in a quality kegel exercise ball

Lubricants

Some kegel exercise balls come with lubricants, and using a lubricant can help you insert the kegel exercise ball. That being said, using lubricant can also make your workout more difficult, since the lubricant removes the grip in your vaginal canal, forcing your muscles to work harder to keep the balls in place.

Size

If you are a beginner, start with a large kegel ball. A big kegel ball will stay in place with little effort, but with smaller kegel balls, your kegel muscle needs to tightly contract to hold the ball in place.

Weight

Most kegel exercise balls weigh less than half a pound, which makes them the perfect weight to begin training your kegel muscle. Kegel balls help you determine where your kegel muscles are and how to contract those muscles.

That being said, light kegel balls are not sustainable, since your body has the potential to lift more than half a pound, and you might outgrow the balls quickly. To boost the difficulty of your workout, add more weight by purchasing new, heavier kegel balls.

How much you can expect to spend on a kegel exercise ball

Kegel exercise balls range in price from about $15-$50, depending on the quality, features, construction, materials and what’s included in the set.

Kegel exercise ball FAQ

What are kegel exercise balls?

A. Kegel balls are tools used to boost the intensity and efficiency of a kegel workout, and many people make them a consistent part of their pelvic fitness routine.

Are kegel balls effective?

A. Kegel exercise balls are effective in the proper conditions. Kegel balls range in weight from about 20 to 150 grams, which offers enough resistance to see some benefits.

When do you see results from kegel exercise balls?

A. It takes some time to see results from kegel exercise balls, even with regular use, because of a lack of proper resistance. Train your kegel muscle just like you would any other muscle, and buy heavier balls regularly or pair the kegel balls with other kegel exercise tools. Practice kegel exercises consistently to see results.

What’s the best kegel exercise ball to buy?

Top kegel exercise ball

Intimate Rose Kegel Exercise Weights

What you need to know: This comfortable kegel ball system features six weight levels that work well for both experienced users and novices.

What you’ll love: This set of six kegel balls comes with varying weight levels and is composed of medical-grade silicone without any BPA. The product also includes access to online support and instructional videos, and just 15 minutes a day can reduce bladder leakage and strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

What you should consider: A few people say that these exercise balls aren’t challenging enough, which makes them question the effectiveness of the product.

Top kegel exercise ball for the money

Adorime Kegel Exercise Weights

What you need to know: This set is versatile for consumers who want to try various weight options.

What you’ll love: These balls are composed of BPA-free, medical-grade silicone and soft. Users report fewer urinary leaks and tighter muscles after use, and the unique system comes with four weights that allow for six adjustable combinations to suit your needs.

What you should consider: The exercise balls are a little too big and uncomfortable for some people.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

Top shaker bottles for smooth protein shakes and more

• January 24, 2025

Which shaker bottles are best?

There’s nothing more disgusting than an improperly mixed protein shake. It’s clumpy, the flavors aren’t combined well and the whole thing can spoil your workout. Purchasing a good shaker bottle is the easiest way to avoid these hassles.  One of the best is the BlenderBottle Classic V2 Shaker Bottle.

What to know before you buy a shaker bottle

Uses

Shaker bottles are most commonly used to mix protein shakes, but they can be used for all manner of other things. For starters, a shaker bottle can be used as a basic water bottle. They cost roughly the same but include mixing mechanisms, so it’s a win/win. You can also use them in the kitchen for mixing salad dressings, sauces and anything else that’s liquidy and needs to be combined.

Capacity

It’s important to buy a bottle with a capacity as close to your needs as possible. A bottle that isn’t big enough for your serving size is obviously bad, but one that’s too much bigger will only lead to you mixing air into your shakes. This will make them frothy, a texture many people dislike.

Shaker bottles come in just about any ounce capacity but commonly come in sizes between 20 and 30 ounces.

What to look for in a quality shaker bottle

Material

Most shaker bottles are made from plastic, though there are also a few glass or stainless steel options.

• Plastic: Plastic bottles are inexpensive, but the quality of plastic used can vary dramatically. You’ll want to make sure your prospective bottle doesn’t contain BPA and is clearly listed as food-grade.
• Glass: Glass bottles are more expensive and fragile. However, they don’t absorb foods like plastic bottles, which means there’s no risk of them developing nasty smells.
• Stainless steel: Stainless steel bottles can also be expensive, but they’re also durable, easy to clean and many contain insulators to maintain your shake’s temperature.

Mixing mechanisms

Shaker bottles use several mixing mechanisms but generally have only one each. The most common is a ball that rattles around inside your shake to, well, shake the contents up for a better mix. Strainer-like inserts are also common, as they can both force particles to break up and prevent larger, gritty particles from being drunk.

Design

Shaker bottles are available in all colors, and many are available with special designs. Superhero emblems, other pop culture iconography and motivating phrases are common. Some are available in special forms, such as a bottle designed to look like a bullet. Many people love to add stickers to their bottles for a personal touch. You can also choose from bottles with varying degrees of opacity.

How much you can expect to spend on a shaker bottle

They’re inexpensive, especially when considering the cost of other exercise-related gear. You shouldn’t need to spend more than $20 on a bottle, with some models costing less than $10.

Shaker bottle FAQ

How do I prevent smells from sticking to my shaker bottle?

A. Wash it immediately after you’ve finished its contents. Toss it in the top rack of your dishwasher if it’s dishwasher-safe or wash it in hot, soapy water by hand if it isn’t. If your bottle already has a stubborn scent and washing it normally hasn’t gotten rid of it, try letting a mixture of baking soda and vinegar sit inside it overnight. If the smell remains after this, you’ll need to get a new bottle.

Can I microwave a shaker bottle?

A. It’s certainly possible, but it’s strongly recommended to do so only if it is clearly labeled as microwave-safe, or it could melt. Similarly, don’t put it in the freezer unless it is clearly stated as being safe to do so. The extreme cold can make the bottle brittle enough to crack.

What’s the best shaker bottle to buy?

Top shaker bottle

BlenderBottle Classic V2 Shaker Bottle

What you need to know: This high-quality shaker bottle has all the features you need.

What you’ll love: It’s available in eleven colors and four sizes . A metal blender ball is included to thoroughly mix your solutions. All portions of the bottle are dishwasher-safe.

What you should consider: The size of beverage you can have in it is actually less than the listed size of the bottle because you have to leave room for mixing.

Top shaker bottle for the money

BluePeak Protein Shaker Bottle 28 oz with Twist Cap

What you need to know: This 28-ounce bottle has lots of features that make it good for taking on the go.

What you’ll love: It comes with measurements on the side, a twist cap and a carrying strap. All included components are dishwasher-safe.

What you should consider: Some people had issues with the seal failing, making the bottle leak.

Worth checking out

Hydra Cup DualShaker Pro

What you need to know: This split-container bottle is the perfect way to have your pre- and post-workout drinks ready to go while taking up less space.

What you’ll love: Each portion can hold up to 16 ounces for a 32-ounce total maximum. Each has its own cap and spout. The closed caps don’t get in the way of the open spout.

What you should consider: Splitting two drinks between the containers will mean you have less of each shake than you may be used to.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

Cal State Fullerton can’t catch Cal State Bakersfield in tight loss

• January 24, 2025

FULLERTON — The Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team was frustratingly close to a modest winning streak but could never nose ahead down the stretch in a 71-68 loss to Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday night at Titan Gym.

Donovan Oday had 20 points to pace Fullerton (6-15 overall, 1-8 Big West), which got 15 points from Zion Richardson and 14 points and eight rebounds from Antwan Robinson.

The Titans used a 6-0 run to knot the score at 57-all with 6:11 left, and it remained a one-possession game for several minutes, but the Roadrunners (10-10, 4-4) maintained a lead down the stretch to deny the Titans.

An Oday tip-in got Fullerton within 71-67 with 49 seconds left, and the Titans got the ball back 30 seconds later. Oday missed a jumper in the paint and Robinson grabbed the rebound but missed a 3-point shot with eight seconds left.

Fullerton took a 10-2 lead to begin the game, but Bakersfield went on a 12-0 run when the Titans hit a drought (0 for 9 from the field for 7-plus minutes) to grab the lead for good. The game remained tight, with the Roadrunners taking a 31-26 lead to the locker room at halftime.

Fullerton tied the score at 42-all on a LoLo Rudolph 3-pointer less than six minutes into the second half, and the teams traded small surges over the next few minutes. Bakersfield blocked a layup attempt on a Fullerton fast-break, which led to a dunk on the other end for a 50-45 lead.

The Titans came up with defensive stops and turnovers, forcing the Roadrunners into several empty possessions on their way to forging the 57-57 tie, but they could never grab enough momentum to take control of the game from there.

Oday scored 16 of his points after halftime and finished 10 for 14 from the free-throw line. He has scored in double-figures in five straight games and has scored 20 or more in three of those games.

Jemel Jones had 22 points, five rebounds and five assists to pace the Roadrunners. CJ Hardy had 19 points, and Marvin McGhee shot 3 for 4 from 3-point range on his way to 11 points.

Both teams shot under 40% from the field, but Bakersfield had a 43-35 rebounding advantage that aided a 17-10 margin in second-chance points.

Fullerton, which was coming off a win against rival Long Beach State last weekend, shot 23 for 35 from the free-throw line, while Bakersfield was 14 for 21.

UP NEXT

Fullerton hosts UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at 6 p.m.

​ Orange County Register 

UC Irvine falls to UC Riverside in OT for its first Big West loss

• January 24, 2025

RIVERSIDE — The UC Irvine men’s basketball team battled back from a 12-point second-half deficit to force overtime, but the Anteaters could not finish the comeback and suffered their first Big West Conference loss of the season.

Barrington Hargress had 20 points and eight assists as UC Riverside outlasted UCI, 84-80, in overtime on Thursday night at UCR. Kaleb Smith added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Highlanders (12-8 overall, 5-3 Big West), while Jack Whitbourn, Nate Pickens and Isaiah Moses each scored 11 in a game that included 14 ties and 12 lead changes.

Myles Che scored nine of his 20 points in overtime to pace the Anteaters (17-3, 7-1), who saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end. Bent Leuchten added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Devin Tillis had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jurian Dixon added 10 points, and Justin Hohn scored nine.

Trailing 60-48 with 8:27 left in the second half, UCI used a 12-2 run to close within two with 2:01 remaining. UCR went back ahead by four on a pair of Hargress free throws, but Leuchten answered with a putback layup and a pair of free throws to knot the score at 64-all with 1:02 left. Hargress hit a turnaround jumper with 43 seconds left, but Tillis answered for UCI with a layup that tied the score with 31 seconds left. Hohn forced Hargress into a desperate jumper that was off the mark as time expired to send the game into overtime.

Che came alive in overtime, and the score was tied at 73-all after he made a pair of free throws with three minutes left. A 3-pointer from Parker Strauss and a layup from Smith helped UCR open a six-point lead with 1:11 left, but UCI wasn’t done. Che, Hargress and Leuchten took turns making shots, with a Che fast-break layup cutting UCR’s lead to 82-80 with nine seconds left.

UCI was forced to foul and Moses made a pair of free throws with six seconds left for the final margin, with Che missing a 3-point shot in the final seconds.

“Congratulations to UC Riverside. I thought they outplayed us tonight,” UCI coach Russell Turner said. “They showed a level of competitiveness and desperation that wasn’t there consistently enough for us. I am really proud of the team for fighting back and saving the game. There is great belief in this team. We just weren’t able to get it done down the stretch. They made some shots from some key guys. We missed a bunch of shots from the free-throw line, which is uncharacteristic for us.”

The Anteaters, who are ranked fourth in the nation in free throw percentage, were 19 for 27 in this one, but Turner expects his team will bounce back.

“I have belief that this game will help us,” Turner said. “I think I made some things too complicated in preparation for this game, and we weren’t able to compete at a high enough level to make the plays to win. I will get better, and we will get better.”

The Highlanders avenged an 81-57 loss earlier this month to split the season series and keep themselves in the thick of a Big West race in which eight of 11 teams are at .500 or better in conference play.

“I’m proud of our team’s gritty performance against a team I respect and consider one of the toughest opponents in our league,” UCR coach Mike Magpayo said.

UP NEXT

UC Irvine hosts Hawaii on Saturday at 7 p.m., while UC Riverside plays at Cal State Bakersfield the same night at 6:30.

BIG WEST STANDINGS

(through Thursday, Jan. 23)

UC Irvine – 17-3, 7-1

UC San Diego – 16-4, 6-2

UC Davis – 12-8, 6-3

CSUN – 13-6, 5-3

UC Riverside – 12-8, 5-3

Hawaii – 12-7, 4-4

UCSB – 12-7, 4-4

CS Bakersfield – 10-10, 4-4

Long Beach State – 7-13, 3-5

CS Fullerton – 6-15, 1-8

Cal Poly (SLO) – 6-14, 0-8

​ Orange County Register 

Long Beach State can’t overcome slow start in loss to CSUN

• January 24, 2025

NORTHRIDGE — TJ Wainwright came through with another big individual effort, but the Long Beach State men’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a 22-point halftime deficit as its Big West Conference struggles continued.

Wainwright scored a game-high 27 points, going 6 for 7 from 3-point range, and led a furious second-half rally but Long Beach lost to Cal State Northridge, 86-76, on Thursday night at CSUN.

Scotty Washington had 19 points and Marcus Adams Jr. had 17 to lead six double-figure scorers for CSUN (13-6 overall, 5-3 Big West). Keonte Jones added 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and PJ Fuller II had 12 points and five assists. Grady Lewis had 10 points and seven rebounds, and Tyler Beard contributed 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The Matadors outrebounded their guests 39-23, including 16 offensive rebounds, leading to a 48-24 advantage in points in the paint and a 15-8 margin in second-chance points.

CSUN dominated the early minutes of the game, making its first six shots (including a trio of 3-pointers) to open a 15-6 lead. The Matadors stretched the margin to 25-10 about seven minutes into the game.

Wainwright got rolling with a three-point play, and Long Beach (7-13, 3-5 Big West) got within 27-19 on a fast-break finish from Cam Denson, but the Matadors responded. CSUN shot 61% in the first half to take control, with 11 offensive rebounds leading to 10 points and the Matadors closed the half on a 21-7 run for a 57-35 lead at the intermission.

CSUN extended its lead to 28 points early in the second half, but LBSU began to battle back. Derrick Michael Xzavierro scored LBSU’s first second-chance points of the game to stop the run, and the momentum began to turn. Two straight 3-pointers from TJ Wainwright cut the margin to 17 points with 13:38 to play, and Long Beach continued to chip away, pulling within 81-71 on a 3-pointer from Devin Askew with 6:05 left.

The rally stalled from there. Mahmoud Fofana dunked after CSUN broke a full-court press. Moments later, a 3-pointer from Fuller gave CSUN an 86-71 lead. The Matadors only allowed one field goal over the final 3:45 to hand Long Beach its fifth loss in the past six games.

Wainwright, who had 31 points in a loss to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, shot 8 for 13 from the field and 5 for 5 from the free-throw line in this one. Kam Martin scored 13 points, Austin Johnson had 12, while Askew finished with 10 points and a career-high 10 assists for his first double-double with LBSU.

UP NEXT

LBSU travels to San Luis Obispo to take on Cal Poly on Saturday at 2 p.m. CSUN plays at UC San Diego on Saturday at 7 p.m.

​ Orange County Register 

McTavish, Killorn star as Ducks bury Penguins to end skid

• January 24, 2025

ANAHEIM — The fledgling Ducks soared above perhaps the most established core in the NHL, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, for a 5-1 victory on Thursday night at Honda Center.

The Ducks had lost four straight games and seven of eight entering the matchup, while the Penguins were coming off Monday’s 5-1 manhandling of the Kings, although Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said they didn’t have “the same conviction” on Thursday.

Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn each burst out of their respective scoring funks with two-goal efforts, and Frank Vatrano also tallied. Troy Terry contributed two assists to extend his team scoring lead and match Thursday’s output from Jacob Trouba. Pittsburgh native John Gibson turned in an inspired performance, making 31 saves.

Michael Bunting deposited a power-play goal for Pittsburgh. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 29 of 33 shots he faced.

After shaking off a sluggish start, the Ducks struck twice in the first period, turned in a sound second despite surrendering a power-play goal and then pulled away with another pair of even-strength goals and an empty-netter to cement their victory. They got at least one goal from three different forward lines, scoring five or more goals for just the sixth time this season.

“We have had a tough time scoring, so to get five was nice and to have every line contributing was great,” Killorn said. “Great game, (Gibson) played well. We scored when we had to.”

Early in the third period, a wild sequence saw the two sides trade sterling chances before the Ducks cushioned their lead off McTavish’s second goal of the evening.

First, Cody Glass tested Gibson’s glove with a shot from the slot, before the Ducks went the other way and nearly created a backdoor tap-in for Vatrano.

But after Brian Dumoulin’s dump-in took a fortuitous hop off the end boards and into the slot, McTavish glided into the puck and dazzled with his dangles, working a frazzled Nedeljkovic out of position to sweep in his ninth goal of 2024-25. The Ducks led 3-1, just 2:06 into the final frame.

With 13:08 to play, Vatrano put the game in the refrigerator. A gassed Evgeni Malkin couldn’t catch up to a two-on-one rush on which Erik Karlsson failed to impede Terry’s cross-ice pass for Vatrano, setting up a forehand-to-backhand-to-forehand move that allowed him to tuck a shot inside the far post for his 13th goal of the campaign. Vatrano has more goals against Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay (11) than any other franchise.

McTavish nearly completed his first career hat trick into the empty net, but a last ditch effort by former Duck Rickard Rakell forced his one-handed shot attempt into the post. Instead it was Killorn scoring his second goal of the game and 10th of the season into the vacated cage with two minutes on the clock.

“It’s nice of them to support me like that,” said McTavish, who double-shifted late Thursday. “It would have been cool, but that’s just the way it goes. I’m just thankful to my teammates and the coaching staff for keeping me out there.”

Continuing one of their spurts this season during the second period, the Ducks seemed poised to put the Penguins in a three-goal hole, until Jackson LaCombe’s interference penalty gave Pittsburgh a power play.

The Ducks skirted calamity when Bryan Rust, who later exited the action due to an injury, pushed a rebound wide of an open net. But after the Penguins regrouped, Rust would earn the primary assist with a cross-crease pass to Bunting, with the duo having isolated and outnumbered Dumoulin. At the 5:32 mark of the second period, the Ducks had their lead sliced in half.

Vatrano nearly got that goal back with 11:31 remaining in the second period, but Nedeljkovic got a small piece of the puck. As the two-minute mark loomed, Radko Gudas’ broken stick created an odd-man rush for Pittsburgh. Crosby feathered a pass for Karlsson, but Gibson’s acrobatic left-pad save preserved the Ducks’ edge at the second intermission.

“I thought Gibby was outstanding. He made some huge saves,” Cronin said. “I’m happy for him and happy for the team.”

Though the Penguins controlled possession early by bottling the Ducks up with their forecheck, which Cronin conceded felt ominous, the Ducks responded with a flurry of their own and the game’s first goal, 9:28 into the match.

It was a grinding effort as Trouba’s point shot created a rebound that McTavish pushed to Robby Fabbri, whose diving followup generated yet another rebound while drawing Nedeljkovic into no man’s land, enabling McTavish to poke his first goal in seven games into an open net.

The Ducks would double their advantage with 59 seconds left in the first period. Killorn battled through two Penguins to track down Drew Helleson’s pass, fending off P.O. Joseph and former Duck Marcus Pettersson to send a laser past Nedeljkovic. It was Killorn’s first goal in eight games and his second in 17. The secondary assist for Trevor Zegras, who missed more than six weeks with a knee injury, was his first point since Nov. 27.

“You kind of go through these parts in the season where sometimes you’re playing well [but] you don’t produce. So, to get two tonight was great,” Killorn said. “Playing with (Zegras), he’s always able to open things up because he’s able to hold onto the puck and able to make that one play.”

The Ducks will face the Nashville Predators on Saturday to close their three-game homestand.

​ Orange County Register