Ducks Earn Point Against The Flames

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks squared off against the Calgary Flames just ahead of the holiday break. Lukas Dostal again got the start this time against Jacob Markstrom.

Recap

The Flames opened up the scoring just over five minutes into the game. Michael Stone took a slap shot through traffic and it beat Dostal over the shoulder for the early 1-0 lead.

The Flames would get into penalty trouble towards the end of the period. The Ducks would get a 5-on-3 power play for 32 seconds and Mason McTavish would score from the side of the net. He took a shot that hit Markstrom’s arm and deflected into the back of the net.

McTavish nearly had his second goal of the game and was cross checked by Noah Hanifan shortly after with no call by the referees. Max Comtois wasn’t having any of that and dropped the gloves with Hanifan. The teams went to the locker room shortly after tied up at one apiece.

Calgary had a power play early in the second period and didn’t score. But they would score and take the lead a few moments later when Brett Ritchie beat Dostal with a backhand.

The Ducks went shorthanded a total of four times in the second period, but Dostal stood on his head not allowing any goals against well the Ducks were down a man. He ended up facing 23 shots on goal in the middle frame and only allowed the goal by Ritchie early on in the period. Anaheim headed to the locker room only down 2-1 thanks to Dostal.

The Ducks nearly tied the game early in the third period as Adam Henrique had a chance at the side of the Flames net. Markstrom was able to get the paddle of his stick at the post to block the tap in attempt.

Anaheim then went on a power play and Jakob Silfverberg would score from the slot to tie the game up just over three minutes into the third period.

The Ducks had two more power plays in the third period and chances to win in regulation, but they couldn’t get the go ahead goal. Bonus hockey was needed to determine a winner.

In overtime, Anaheim won the face-off and controlled the play for about 90 seconds, but didn’t score. Rasmus Andersson would eventually win it for Calgary halfway through the extra session.

Analysis:

The Ducks played a decent game in the first and third periods. Anaheim had 22 shots on goal to 21 for Calgary and outscored them 2 to 1 in those two periods. The issue for the Ducks in this game was the second period where they were able to only get one shot on goal and the Flames had 23. If not for the play of Dostal, especially in the middle frame, the Ducks would have probably lost in regulation.

The Ducks won the special teams battle, which kept them in this game as well. Anaheim scored twice on the power play in five chances and nearly had a third goal late in the game with the extra man. The Ducks penalty kill was tested four times in this one and held it’s ground. Playing discipline hockey has been an issue for the Ducks and really could be seen in the last three games where the Anaheim has been shorthanded 15 times in those contests.

The Ducks will now enjoy four days off during the holiday and will continue the 10 game homestand next Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. It appears John Gibson will return and likely start in net for that contest.

To all our supporters and fellow Ducks fans, I want to wish you and your family a safe and Merry Christmas!

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December 24th, 2022