Ducks Can’t Put Flames Out

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks concluded their road trip in Calgary against the Flames. Lukas Dostal was in net against Jacob Markstrom.

Recap

The Ducks scored a goal just over four minutes into the game. Trevor Zegras came down the left wing and found Frank Vatrano in the shot. He took a shot that beat Markstrom glove side.

Towards the end of the period, Max Comtois scored on the power play to make it a 2-0 lead. Vatrano took a shot from the right face-off circle and a rebound came to Comtois in front, who shot the puck low and it trickled past Markstrom into the net. The Ducks had a 2-0 lead at the end of the opening period.

Dan Vladar came in to start the second period in net for Calgary. The Flames scored just 33 seconds into the period on the power play. Andrew Mangiapane scored stick side on Dostal to get the Flames on the board.

The Flames then scored twice in just over a minute of playing time to make it a 3-2 advantage for them. Nikita Zadorov took a shot from the right face off circle, which went over Dostal’s shoulder glove side. Troy Stecher then took a point shot through traffic just inside the blue line and Nick Ritchie deflected the puck before it went in.

The Ducks would then answer back with a pair of goals as well. Sam Carrick took a shot in close from the left side of the net and the rebound came out to Vatrano on the right side. He brought the puck in front and took a quick wrist shot over Vladar’s glove to tie things up at three.

A few minutes later, Scott Harrington would make it a 4-3 game for Anaheim. He had the puck in the right face-off circle and beat Vladar over the shoulder as he was screened on the play. The Ducks held a one goal advantage heading into the third period.

Calgary would tie things up once again just over six minutes into the third period. Milan Lucic scored over Dostal’s shoulder glove side from close range.

The teams remained tied until late in the third period. Michael Stone would score from the point to make a 5-4 Calgary lead. He took a shot through traffic that beat Dostal stick side.

The Ducks pulled Dostal for the extra attacker, but they couldn’t get the tying goal and lost 5-4.

Analysis:

This was a highly entertaining contest that saw the Ducks built a 2-0 lead and then rally to a 4-3 lead. The Flames to their credit didn’t give up. They came back from 2-0 to take a 3-2 lead and they came back a second time after being down 4-3. In looked like this game might go to overtime, but the Flames were able to pull out the win in the final minutes of the third period.

In this game there were several goals scored by screens by both teams. The Flames won the special teams advantage by scoring once on the power play. There were only three power plays total in this contest as it was a fast paced affair.

The Ducks now find themselves in the second draft lottery position behind the Chicago Blackhawks. Anaheim is close to securing a top three position with just five games remaining in the season.

Team Notes/Stats:

Zegras recorded his 60 point for the second consecutive season.

Vatrano reached the 20th goal mark as he had two goals in this contest.

What’s Next?

The Ducks return home to host the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday at 7 PM.

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April 3rd, 2023