Ducks Rally Past Flames In Overtime

Photo: NHL

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Calgary Flames. Ville Husso was in net against Dustin Wolf.

Recap

There was no scoring in the first period. The Flames had two power plays and the Ducks had one power play.

Mikael Backlund scored just over five minutes into the second period to make it a 1-0 lead. The Flames had two power plays, but did not convert on either one. Calgary led 1-0 after two periods.

Trevor Zegras scored just over halfway through the third period to tie the game. He got the puck in the right face-off and roofed it over Wolf for the goal.

The Flames answered with two goals about 90 seconds part. Yegor Sharangovich scored and then Matthew Coronato followed him up to make it a 3-1 lead with just under five minutes to go.

The Ducks would then answer back with two goals just 8 seconds apart. Frank Vatrano would score in a similar fashion to Zegras’ goal beating Wolf high from the right face-off circle. Then on the very next draw Cutter Gauthier beat Wolf low in the slot area to tie the game.

The teams remained tied at the end of regulation and bonus hockey was needed to determine a winner. Gauthier would strike again to win the game. Leo Carlsson got to a puck along the boards in the Anaheim zone and then turned on the after burners flying down the right wing and then finding Gauthier in the slot area of the game winning goal. Ducks won 4-3 in overtime.

Analysis:

This was a slow game for the first two periods filled with sloppy play, penalties, and just one goal being scored. The Ducks tied the game halfway through the third, but then Calgary scored twice in about 90 seconds to make it a 3-1 advantage. The Ducks were down, but certainty not out as they rallied back. With just under four minutes to go, Anaheim scored two goals 8 seconds apart to tie the game and force OT.

Gauthier scored the game tying and game winning goals to complete the comeback. He has scored twice in the last two games as he has started to really feel it as of late. He has been using his speed and quick shot to get to an open area and create quality scoring chances.

The Ducks penalty kill came up huge again as they kept the Flames off the board in their six power play attempts. The officiating was suspect in this contest. Adam Klapka high sticked Radko Gudas in the face late in the first period and was originally called for a four minute double minor. The play was reviewed and the penalty was wiped off the board as the officials said Klapka was following through on a shot. There were other calls made against the Ducks that were iffy as well.

After two periods this was the kind of game one might have thought it be a 1-0 or 2-1 type contest. Instead there were five goals scored in the final nine minutes and the game winner came in overtime. These games don’t mean anything in terms of the standings for Anaheim, but they have shown the character and growth of this team. The Ducks fought back several times late in games this season to either force overtime or comeback and win. Next season the Ducks are going to be very dangerous.

Team Notes/Stats:

Husso earned his first career win as Duck stopping 36 shots.

Gauthier became just the second rookie in team history to record multiple overtime goals in a season. Cam Fowler had two during the 2010-11 season.

Cutter became the third rookie in Ducks history to record multiple goals in consecutive games, joining Trevor Zegras and Bobby Ryan.

What’s Next?

The Ducks head up the 5 freeway to face the LA Kings tonight at 7PM.

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April 10th, 2025