VIDEO: Ducks Rally, But Come Up Short
By Michael Walters
The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Calgary Flames. John Gibson was back in net and squared off against Daniel Vladar. Prior to the game the Ducks said Ryan Getzlaf would not be available for this game and is considered week-to-week with a lower body injury.
Recap
The Ducks had an early quality chance when Derek Grant went behind the Calgary net. He backhanded the puck to Isac Lundestrom, who shot the puck at side of the net, but was denied.
Anaheim almost scored a few times in the opening period. Cam Fowler then hit the post while the Ducks were on the power play and Trevor Zegras beat Vladar, but hit the post.
The Flames Matthew Tkachuk had a breakaway late in the period, but Gibson made the stop to keep the game scoreless.
The Ducks got the first score in the beginning of the second period. Sonny Milano got to a rebound and slammed it home for the 1-0 lead.
The lead didn’t last long as Blake Coleman would score on an odd man rush to tie the game. The Flames would score two more times to make it a 3-1 lead after some defensive lapses.
Rickard Rakell did score before period was over to pull the Ducks within one. Adam Henrique did sustain a lower-body injury during the period and did not return for the rest of the game.
The Ducks went on a power play early in the third period and Vinni Lettieri tied it up with a low shot inside the post.
During the middle of the period tempers flared at the benches. The teams came together and exchanged their holiday plans with each other. Trevor Zegras was called for interference against Matthew Tkachuk and Blake Coleman received two minutes for roughing against Zegras. Z voiced his displeasure to the refs during the scrum.
There would be no more scoring in the third period and it would take bonus hockey to determine a winner. Both teams had chances in overtime, but a shootout would be needed. Zegras and Kevin Shattenkirk were denied in the shootout. Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk scored to give the Flames a 4-3 win.
Recap
The Ducks played well offensively in the first period, but hit the post three times. The Ducks eventually scored and had a 1-0 lead, but then the Flames would score three times in just over ten minutes of play. Some poor defensive coverages lead to some of the goals for Calgary.
The Ducks didn’t give up as they scored once at the end of the second and again at the beginning of the third period to even things up. Regardless of the situation this season it seems like the Ducks are never out of a game.
The second period again wasn’t Anaheim’s best, but the overall game stats were close between these two teams. Calgary out shot Anaheim 36 to 34, but the Ducks held the shot attempt advantage 53 to 51. The expected goals during 5-on-5 play was close with the Ducks having a slight edge 2.76 to 2.6 per Natural Stat Trick.
The line of Sonny Milano, Zegras, and Rickard Rakell continues to be the Ducks best line. Milano and Rakell each had a goal and Zegras had two assists. Anaheim may have to lean on them more if Henrique and Getzlaf are out for an extended amount of time. The Ducks do have the weekend off before heading the road on Monday.
Team Stats/News:
Adam Henrique left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury and did not return. He had just missed some time with a dislocated finger.
Zegras has 19 points in 23 games. He is three points behind Lucas Raymond in rooking scoring.
The Ducks have earned points in their last three games. Anaheim is 13-2-4 when scoring 3 or more goals this season.
What’s Next?
Ducks hit the road and take on the Caps Monday at 4 PM PT.
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December 4th, 2021