‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ Recap: ‘Twigs’

Written by Zeke Perez Jr.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Tourney time arrives in the latest chapter of Game Changers and the Ducks’ find their resilience tested early and often. Facing a talent gap when stacked up against the other teams from camp, the Ducks must find a way to bond and fly together to prove to Coach Cole - and to themselves - that Alex didn’t make a mistake in drafting them. The team faces some ups and downs as they try to prove their worth, and we’re left with a bombshell cliffhanger that promises a flock of fun on the way. 
 
The Ducks are full of doubt coming into the round-robin tournament thanks to their struggles during camp and to intimidation from the scouting reports on the other teams. Before even setting foot on the ice, they question whether they belong as individuals and as a team. Sadly, these doubts get the best of them in the first game, as they give up early goals and are obliterated. Game two doesn’t see a better result, with the Ducks getting blanked 9-0. 
 
Trying to dig out of the 0-2 hole, Coach Alex gathers the team around the campfire to regroup. They bond by each sharing a struggle they’re experiencing. This works for most of the team - all except for Jace, who refuses to participate. Alex breaks and pushes back, telling him to leave the team if he doesn’t want to be there. Even still, the other Ducks grow closer and game three feels like it might be a huge turning point for the squad. Coach Alex and Coach Cole go head-to-head, finally putting their competing philosophies on the ice. 
 
The Ducks come out motivated: their passes are crisp, they play to each other’s strengths, and they hold their own against Dominate, heading into the third period tied 2-2. It feels like an upset is on the horizon. However, in the hallway between periods, superstar A.J. Lawrence reveals to Nick that he and Dominate had been playing with their off-hands and going easy on the Ducks. This pushes the team back into their doubts and their slump, with them ultimately blowing the game in the third. With an 0-3 record to begin the tournament, the Ducks need to miraculously win out to have a shot at the elimination stage.  
 
The miracle starts to take shape, though. Sofi leads the team with a motivational speech, saying that she wants to see their names up on the championship banner. Jace comes back and joins the team, motivated after hearing what his dad did to them. Last but not least, the episode ends with Coach Alex calling in the big guns. With a number she got from Gordon Bombay, she calls in a favor to… THE ANAHEIM DUCKS! The next episode promises a big reveal; maybe some NHL Duck stars (Troy Terry or Trevor Zegras, perhaps?) have what it takes to rally the Ducklings on a winning streak. 
 
This week laid the foundation for a classic, District-5 style comeback story, building up the underdog mythos of the team with some sentimental moments. Another highlight of the episode is the return of Rich Eisen, remarking “My agent swore to me that it would not be weird to come back and call the action of a summer camp tournament.” As he did in his first appearance, Eisen brings nonstop humor, as well as a pro sports pedigree that seems to up the stakes of the on-ice action. He definitely plays up the silliness of the series, though, noting that Evan is benched for the first game “because he skipped practice for his best friend’s birthday party,” in the same manner an announcer might rattle off roster updates in a big game. 
 
Game Changers feels like it’s in a great place heading into the home stretch. Characters are stepping up into new and important roles, the on-ice action is coming to a head, and some fun NHL cameos are all but guaranteed. It certainly feels like Coach Cole and Dominate haven’t seen the last of our Mighty Ducks. 

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