Ducks morning news: a rookie hat trick, seven wins, and an upcoming battle for second place

It was quite a cold weekend, and in a very apropos manner, the Ducks also cooled off the Flames. In the first game of back-to-backs in Alberta, the Ducks secured a 4-3 overtime victory against the Pacific Division rival. While most of the Ducks skaters were spinning their tires, Beckett Sennecke made sure the win streak would stay intact.

A rookie's first hat trick

We have been making the argument all season, for Sennecke to get more recognition as a Calder Trophy candidate. In a game where most of the Ducks roster was still depleted by injuries to their forward group, and being outskated by a sunken Flames team, Sennecke further established his candidacy for rookie of the year.

Sennecke opened the scoring for the Ducks, off of a nice assist from veteran Alex Killorn.

Sennecke then tied the game from the backdoor, off of another great assist, this time from Mikael Granlund, who has been filling in as the number one center.

With the game in overtime and crucial standings points on the line, Sennecke skated from end to end and scored the winner, to not only seal the win, but notch his first career hat trick.

Here is how the rookie scoring race looked, after the Ducks win.

Sennecke should definitely be in the Calder discourse now.

Seven in a row

The Ducks have made quite the turnaround, after relinquishing their playoff standing and sinking down the standings, by losing nine straight games. With their seventh win a row, however, the Ducks currently sit in third place in the Pacific Division. Not bad, considering the lack of high-end talent, due to injuries. The Ducks are four points ahead of the San Jose Sharks and only one point back of the Edmonton Oilers.

Battle for second

For the Ducks, beating a Flames team that has been near the bottom of the standings, is one thing. Trying to beat offensive firepower of the Oilers, is another. And with the security blanket of Lukas Dostal not in net, as Ville Husso will likely be the starter, the Ducks cannot afford to play with same lackadaisical attitude for two games in a row. A win against the Oilers tonight, would put the Ducks in second place in the Pacific. Here's to hoping, the streak stays alive. Stay warm out there.