Anaheim Ducks Extinguish Calgary Flames
Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
The Anaheim Ducks came into the Scotiabank Saddledome ready to take back the pride they had lost in the previous meeting between these two hockey clubs.
The Calgary Flames took early control over the puck as they put shots on goal to test Jonas Hiller. The Ducks looked a bit slow from the start, but they stayed persistent.
An early fight went down sending new Ducks enforcer Tim Jackman to the sin bin. He took down his former teammate Kevin Westgarth after being checked into the boards. Jackman was sending a message on how this game was going to be played against the division rival. The Ducks continued to struggle to put shots on goal as the Flames controlled the center of the ice.
Just before the two minute mark, the Ducks got a power play as Ladislav Smid was called for a penalty after an ugly illegal check to Jackman’s head. The Ducks activated Pat Maroon as the goalie screen and were able to get a solid three chances before the Flames cleared it. The Ducks entered the zone as Nick Bonino swiveled the puck and let loose a wrist shot to break the ice with a power play goal.
The Ducks finished the period with a 1-0 lead over Calgary.
The Ducks came out in the second period with control and patience. They got an early power play as Mark Giordano was called for interference on Corey Perry. The Ducks failed to convert on the opportunity despite having many chances.
The Flames adjusted and got a deflected goal courtesy of Brian McGrattan. The Ducks then took exception and began to put pressure on Karri Ramo, the Calgary goaltender. Anaheim had chance after chance on Ramo, but he blocked the puck like a Cirque du Soleil acrobat.
With under a minute left in the period the Flames scored on an open net as Jiri Hudler slaps in a feed from Smid. The Flames went to the locker room with a one goal lead over Anaheim.
The final period was do or die for the Ducks as the Flames led 2-1. Quickly, Calgary took charge flooding the Anaheim zone with chances on net. It began to look like they would take the win, but a critical error by Ramo gave Mathieu Perreault the game tying goal.
The two clubs continued the back and forth play until a rebound was netted by Andrew Cogliano as he is assisted from the initial shot on goal by Stephane Robidas.
Anaheim would hold on for a 3-2 win over the Flames. The Ducks get a big two points as they extinguish the Flames in Calgary.