Anaheim Ducks Hang On To Dowse Calgary Flames

Anaheim Ducks’ Daniel Winnik, right, celebrates his goal with teammate Andrew Cogliano during third period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. The Anaheim Ducks beat the Calgary Flames 5-4. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Calgary, AB – If you turned off the game after Daniel Winnik‘s third goal of the young season, you will be surprised to learn that the Flames scored twice to end the first period and and tied it early in the second despite the great chemistry between him and line-mates Saku Koivu and Andrew Cogliano.

The Ducks (2-0-0, 1st in the Pacific) wasted no time getting on the board. Captain Ryan Getzlaf tipped-in a rebound just over a minute into the game. Koivu netted a backhander at the 7:23 mark. Winnik’s wrister from the blue line came with just over 9 minutes left in the frame.

Calgary (0-2-0, T-4th in the Northwest) goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was in danger of getting the hook, but remained stout in net for the next two periods. Flames left winger Curtis Glencross scored his first of the year on the power play at the 16:54 mark. Alex Tanguay scored next in the closing minute of the frame.

The second period was marked by poor play on both sides of the ice. Glencross did score again 1:13 into the frame.

The third period was when things picked up. Winnik earned his second straight 2-goal game with a wrister 4:02 into the final frame. The Ducks held their own and Getzlaf extended the lead at the 11:15 mark. The Flames attempted a comeback starting with Lee Stempniak’s goal with just under six minutes left, but the Ducks defense stayed strong and held the Flames to four goals.

The Ducks return to the ice on Friday for the home opener against the Vancouver Canucks at 7:00 p.m. PST. If you cannot make it to the Honda Center for the game, it will be aired on Fox Sports Prime Ticket and on the radio at AM 830. There are still plenty of great seats available for the game.

Three Stars:

1. ANA Daniel Winnik (2 G, 1 A, +3)

2. CGY Curtis Glencross (2 G, 1 A, -1)

3. ANA Saku Koivu (1 G, 2 A, +3)

SOG: