Soaring Anaheim Ducks Fly Over Falling Calgary Flames

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Calgary Flames 4-2 Sunday night. The Ducks have now won six of their last seven.

Things started out good for Flames fans as Daymond Langkow roofed a close-in shot to beat Jean-Sebastian Giguere late into the opening period. 

After signing the big contract earlier this week, Dion Phaneuf, who assisted on the goal, now has nine points in his last six games.

The second period was all Ducks however. 

Just 17 seconds into the second stanza, Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf sniped a shot past Miikka Kiprusoff. 

Teemu Selanne then set up Ryan Carter to record Selanne’s 680th franchise point, passing long-time teammate Paul Kariya for the franchise lead. 

After Scott Niedermayer scored a power-play marker, the Flames 1-0 first-period lead became a 3-1 deficit.  Anaheim outshot the Flames 16-8 in the second frame and had a 4-1 lead after two.

Kiprusoff, who has allowed 10 goals over his last five periods, sat out the third period of the game. 

Backup goalie Curtis Joseph made some great saves and the Flames added a goal, but the story of the third was edgy play. 

Ducks’ Corey Perry sucker-punched Flames’ Robin Regehr after the whistle and thus began a parade to the penalty box.  Multiple scrums and a fight between captain Jarome Iginla and Travis Moen was part of the two teams 22 combined penalty minutes in the final frame. 

Calgary showed more urgency in evening up the physical play than the score, and fell by a 4-2 final.

The Flames five-game road trip continues Tuesday against the Phoenix Coyotes.

Notes: The Flames are now 9-6-1 against Pacific Division teams this season; Dustin Boyd was a healthy scratch; Marcus Nilson needs one more assist for the 100th of his career; Langkow recorded his 50th point of the season and has a goal in each of his last three games.