Video: Flames Burn Ducks; Terry Out
By: Stephanie Mazzuca
Tonight, the Anaheim Ducks concluded the final game of their last road trip of the regular season in Calgary. Ryan Getzlaf (13-34-47) was still out of the lineup with an upper-body injury. Josh Manson (3-13-16) was also out with an upper-body injury after he was helped off the ice in Vancouver. The Ducks faced the Flames, who have only scored 1 goal in their last 2 games, at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Ryan Miller (.915 SV%) was in net against Mike Smith (.899 SV%).
Period 1
The Ducks were off to a slow start as they struggled to get the forecheck going. They resorted to their “dump and chase” tactic, which is less effective against the Flames’ Mike Smith, who is often willing to play the puck. Near the period’s halfway mark, Andy Weilinski’s (1-3-4) scored his first NHL goal and gave Anaheim a lead at 1-0. Calgary then received a power play opportunity when Keifer Sherwood (6-6-12) was called for high-sticking. Though the Flames couldn’t convert on the power play, Mark Giordano (16-56-72) found the back of the net soon after the penalty expired. The game was tied at 1-1. With 3 minutes remaining, Travis Hamonic (7-10-17) received a roughing penalty. Anaheim ended the opening period with the extra man advantage but didn’t score. This period ended at a score of 1-1, with 10-8 shots on goal in favor of the Ducks.
Period 2
Just 3 minutes into the period, Sean Monahan (31-45-76) cashed in a big rebound from Ryan Miller to put Calgary in the lead at 1-2. Max Jones (1-1-2) then received a cross-checking penalty near the period’s halfway mark. James Neal (5-10-15) found the back of the net, which was Calgary’s first power play goal in their last 22 opportunities. This brought the score to 1-3. A minute later, Troy Terry (4-9-13) blocked a powerful shot and limped to the Anaheim bench. He was then assisted to the Ducks’ locker room and wouldn’t return for the remainder of the period. Near the end of this period, the Flames made a strong offensive push and generated several high-danger scoring chances. Daniel Sprong (13-9-22) was forced to take a hooking penalty when he disrupted Johnny Gaudreau’s (35-58-93) point-blank opportunity. As this horn sounded, the Ducks had been stuck in their zone for the majority of the period’s final minutes.
Period 3
The flames continued their offensive push in this period as Anaheim sat back on their heels. This especially showed when Derek Ryan (9-24-33) scored and increased Calgary’s lead to 1-4. The Flames scored again after Ryan Miller gave up another rebound in front of the net; this time, the goal was credited to Garnet Hathaway (10-6-16). The score was then 1-5. Calgary didn’t stop pushing in the game’s final minute, as Sean Monahan (31-45-76) again found the back of the net and further increased his team’s lead to 1-6. Anaheim couldn’t make up such a large deficit and dropped this game.
Post-Game Analysis
Tonight’s game followed the news that the Anaheim Ducks have officially been eliminated from the postseason. This wasn’t a surprise to Ducks fans, who are more focused on potential success next season. Calgary dominated the majority of the game, ultimately outshooting the Ducks 37 to 22. Before tonight, the Flames had actually scored only 1 goal in the last 2 games, both of which were losses. Calgary will now look to win the Western Conference title and continue their success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Team Notes
Andy Welinski scored his first NHL goal.
Troy Terry left the game halfway through the second period after blocking a shot with his right leg. According to SportsNet’s Will Nault, he was seen leaving the arena in a boot and crutches. Appears Chase De Leo has been recalled per OC Register’s Elliott Teaford.
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March 30th, 2018