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:

Apr 03, 2012; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; Anaheim Ducks forward Devante Smith-Pelly (77) celebrates after a goal against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver, BC - Well ladies and gents the day has finally come! The Ducks are back and are ready to take on the NHL world, or at least the Western Conference until the Stanley Cup Finals.

Bruce Boudreau’s  squad is healthy and ready to improve upon last year’s final standing of 13th in the West. The get a win tonight, however, will be no easy task as they go up against defending President’s Trophy winner Vancouver Canucks. The good news though is that historically the Ducks fair well on the road at Rogers Arena.

The biggest story is if the Ducks can repeat their post-January success from last year. Bobby Ryan commented to the Los Angeles Times about the importance of a strong start.

“It could be one of those years where if you get behind the 8-ball early, you don’t know. It’s just ever more important for us to get off to a good start and put all of that to bed. Because those issues will go away if you’re winning. That resolve is not going to take long to get going. It can’t.”

Teemu Selanne is looking to continue his ageless-wonder performance as well. Last year Selanne joined Gordie Howe in the 60 point/over 40 club. This is Selanne’s 22nd year in the league.

The Canucks are hoping that they made the right decision by naming Cory Schneider the No. 1 goalie over Roberto Luongo in the off-season. The Canucks are looking to return to form now that both Daniel and Henrik Sedin are healthy. One road block is the many other holes in the lineup due to injury. Ryan Kesler (wrist and shoulder), David Booth (groin) and Dan Hamhuis (groin) will all be out for tonight’s game.

With the shortened season, this will the first of three games against the Canucks.