Ducks Suffer First Loss Of Playoffs After Calgary’s Comeback

Game three was the one that got away. The Ducks had a win in sight but a late penalty proved to be costly. Lack of discipline or bad calls, swing it whichever way you want to. Regardless of belief about officiating, the Ducks clearly did not stick to their game. Defensive breakdowns were occurring left and right. Nobody ever said they had to be perfect though. Game three gave the Ducks their first loss of this postseason. With two days to learn from the loss and re focus, the Ducks will have an opportunity for pay back on friday night.

The Flames came out firing, fueling from the energy of their crowd. The first goal of the game occured after Sami Vatanen and Clayton Stoner had for some reason proceeded to pinch on the same player. It gave Brandon Bollig a breakaway as he beat Freddie Andersen blocker side. Pat Maroon would tie the game as Getzlaf fed the big dog in front of the net for an easy tap in. Corey Perry would add another goal and the Ducks took the lead heading into the second period.

A miscue by Francois Beauchemin and Hampus Lindholm on a Ducks power play lead to a shorthanded breakaway goal for Joe Colborne. Matt Belesky would break the tie giving him a goal in each of the three games to start this series. The Ducks took the lead into the second intermission.

Anaheim Ducks

The Flames pulled their goaltender and were on a power play when they tied the game with just 19 second to go. The Ducks looked shocked. A perfectly placed shot by Johnny Gaudreau sent the game to overtime. The Ducks had a number of scoring oppurtunities to begin overtime but they could not get one past Karri Ramo. The Flames made a push back and had some chances of their own. The Flames were controlling the puck and they drew a penalty on Clayton Stoner. The arm of the ref went up and it appeared as though the Ducks touched the puck but the whistle was not blown. Seconds after it would be Mikael Backlund who would fire a wrist shot from the point that of course bounced off of Stoner and into the net. Game over. The series is now two games to one, a huge win for the Flames.

Penalties

It is tough to win a hockey game in which the other team has three times as many power plays. The Ducks were awarded just two power plays compared to six for the Flames. If you include the delayed call that resulted in the game winning goal, then the Ducks were called for a total of eight penalties compared to the Flames three. Discipline was certainly an issue that the Ducks will need to correct for game four, but officiating was an issue as well.

Round one was a hit parade between the Ducks and Jets. It was brutal but officiated as it should of been, like a true playoff hockey game. Game three of Ducks versus Flames was not officiated like a playoff hockey game. The Ducks were geting called for everything. Yes some were clearly penalties, but the game was called very tight. Ryan Getzlaf was almost in disbelief when he was called for a tripping penalty after trying to lay a hit on T.J. Brodie. It was a lob sided affair but the Ducks will have to recognize that this smaller Calgary team will not shy away from trying to draw penalties.  Things do have a tendency to even up however and game four could present the Ducks with some more extra man opportunities if they can stay disciplined themselves.

A shocking no goal call that went against the Flames was also a head scratcher. It appeared the puck had crossed the line but apparently not. The play was reviewed and proved to be unimportant as the Flames would win the game anyway.

Johnny Gaudreau

First I will say that Johnny Gaudreau placed his wrist shot perfectly to beat Freddie andersen with 19 seconds remaining in regulation. It was no doubt a really good shot. However, Gaudreau should not be praised for heroics just yet.

1 goal, 4 shots, a minus 2 rating, and 1 benching due to fear of the game getting to rough and physical. That is the stat line for Gaudreau through three games. There has been times where Gaudreau disapears because the Ducks are being physical with him. He has looked awful for about 95% of this series. at 150 pounds Gaudreau has had a tough time finding room to operate against the bigger and more physical Ducks. If it had not of been for a late call on Sami Vatanen that gave the Flames a five on three powerplay, Gaudreau would likely be scoreless through three games. It was a huge goal for the Flames, but it did not prove anything about Gaudreau’s play in this series. Gaudreau might want to change his nickname from “Johnny Hockey” to “Johnny Only If It’s Not Physical Hockey.”

The Bad 

Sami Vatanen and Clayton Stoner played absolutely awful in game three. Stoner took an interference penalty at the beginning of the game and was the man responsible for the the delayed interference call that lead to the game winning six on five overtime goal. Not only did he cause the delayed penalty, he was responsible for the final goal getting past Andersen as Backlund’s shot deflected off of him in front of the net. Bob Murray loves Stoner. He loves his big physical presence and he loved the way he played for the Minnesota wild in the playoffs last year. It is time for Murray and Boudreau to wake up. Stoner is not helping the Ducks, hes doing the opposite. Lack of mobility and poor decision making are causing Stoner to stand out in a bad way. James Wisniewski should draw back in for game four because Stoner will continue to stick out like a sore thumb against the smaller faster Flames. Wiz is a more mobile defensemen who should get back into the lineup in place of Stoner.

Sami Vatanen has talent. Offensively he has the ability to produce points. Defensively however, Vatanen is unstable and unreliable. His decision making was very poor in game three. An awful decision to pinch over to the left side resulted in a breakaway for the first goal of the game. Vatanen also seemed rushed with his decision making at the defensive end. Too many times Vatanen iced the puck and he took a delay of game penalty that lead to the tying goal late in the third. Sami is going to generate some offense, but he must tighten the loose screws in the defensive end. A couple more mistakes could lead to Vatanen and Stoner hurting the Ducks chances to advance.

The Good

Ryan Getzlaf is a monster. The captain gets it done in all three areas of the ice. Defensively he is a penalty killing genious who came up with a number of huge clears during the Flames six power plays. In the neutral zone he is a puck stealing machine. At the offensive end he is a heavy forechecker who is the slickest playmaker in the NHL.

He was a bulldozer in game three using his size to his advantage. Getzlaf overpowered T.J. Brodie and stole the puck after knocking him down at the faceoff circle before finding Pat Maroon on the crease to give the Ducks their first goal. Getzlaf has absolutely no weakness to his game. Getzlaf has found his groove against Calgary and almost single handedly won game three for the Ducks. Getzlaf was visibly angry with the refs after game three as he rightfully should of been. This could of awaken a sleeping beast however. If the Ducks want a three games to one lead heading back to Anaheim, Getzlaf will have to dominate once again in game four.

Game Four

It is time for the Ducks to get angry. Game four will give them the opportunity to go out and dominate the Flames once again like they did in games one and two. The defensive miscues must be corrected and Freddie Andersen must reload to guide the Ducks to a victory in game four on Friday night.

More from Pucks of a Feather

• Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
• Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
• Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
• Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
• How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?