Ducks Come Up Short Against Flyers

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Philadelphia Flyers for the first of back-to-back games after the NHL holiday break. Lukáš Dostál was in net against Samuel Ersson. Ducks recalled Calle Clang with John Gibson not being available due to feeling ill.

Recap

In the first period both team had power play opportunities, but both came up empty. Cutter Gauthier was called for hooking at the 7:30 mark and Matvei Michkov was called for high-sticking at 10:25. There was no score after the opening 20 minutes.

Noah Cates scores in the opening minutes of the second frame to make it 1-0 Philadelphia. Bobby Brink had the puck behind the net and he found Cates in front, who shot it high for the goal.

Troy Terry tied the game with just under five minutes to go in the second period. He used the Flyer defender as a screen and scored from the left circle to tie the game. The teams were tied up at one after two periods.

The Flyers took the lead back about six minutes into the third period. Morgan Frost came in at the side of the net and he banked a shot off of Dostal’s back and in for the goal.

The Ducks killed off a Drew Helleson penalty with just under five minutes to go and then went on the power play when the Flyers were called for to many men on ice. The Flyers killed the penalty and Joel Farabee scored after coming out of the box. Troy Terry made an errant pass, which Farabee picked off and scored on a breakaway into the empty net. The Flyers finished the game on the power play, but did not score. The Ducks dropped this one 3-1.

Analysis

Overall this was a pretty uneventful contest. This was built up as the Cutter Gauthier and Jamie Drysdale revenge games against their former teams, but both of them had little if any impact in this one. There wasn’t much emotion by either team as many would have expected.

The Ducks posted 48 shots attempts to 53 for the Flyers at even strength. Anaheim posted a CF% of 47.52% and FF% of 50.68%. The Flyers edged the Ducks at even strength 2-1. Special teams weren’t much of a factor with the Flyers going 0-for-5 on the power play and the Ducks going 0-for-4. A dagger in the Ducks hearts was the last goal by the Flyers when Farabee scored on a breakaway as he got out of the box after the final Anaheim power play.

Pavel Mintyukov was scratched again, but he should be playing every single night. Drew Helleson has made strides this season, but Mintyukov should still be playing over him. Anaheim will need to regroup and in a hurry as the Edmonton Oilers come to town tomorrow.

Team Noes/Stats:

Radko Gudas went to the locker room with just over four minutes left holding his knee, but then came out shortly afterward and played in the final minute.

John Gibson has been ill the past few days and his status is up in the air for tomorrow. Calle Clang has been recalled from San Diego and could get the start tomorrow if Gibson is not well.

The Ducks did a nice video tribute for Brian Hayward who had announced his 2000th game with the organization on the previous road trip.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow at 1 PM.

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December 28th, 2024