Game 2 Recap: Calgary Flames (2) @ Anaheim Ducks (3)

Calgary 2 Anaheim 3

The Flames needed to leave Anaheim with a split and for a while it looked like the Flames had a chance to accomplish that improbable feat. But alas, the unlucky Flames got themselves into some trouble and the Ducks took full advantage.

1st Period

The Boogey Man appeared almost right away as the Flames almost put one in their own net. Matthew Tkachuk tipped a puck on his own net and tested Brian Elliott early. And then it got worse. Elliott gave up back to back soft goals to Jakob Silfverberg and a wrap around goal to Rickard Rakell to put the Ducks up 2-0. As bad as Elliott was early, he was very solid late in the period. Elliott made some huge saves and then ²⁄₃ of the 3M Line got the Flames on the board. Matthew Tkachuk took a 4 minute double minor for high sticking and it looked like the Ducks were going to have a chance to put this game out of reach, not if Mikael Backlund had anything to say about it. Michael Frolik battled for a puck and sprung Backlund on a breakway to get the Flames within one at 2-1. The Ducks had the only PP on the period and out-shot the Flames 12-11 on the period.

2nd Period

The Flames would net the only goal of a LONG second period as Sean Monahan would take a pretty feed from T.J. Brodie and and Johnny Gaudreau to tie it 2-2. Sam Bennett thought he had his second of the series, but video review ruled that the Flames interfered with John Gibson and we remained tied at 2. The rest of the period saw the physical play rise up a little, culminating with Micheal Ferland and Kevin Bieksa throwing down as the period ended.

3rd Period

The third was an up and down, back and forth affair that saw each team drop the shenanigans and play exciting hockey. Both Calgary and Anaheim had great scoring chances, but both goaltenders weren’t in the mood to allow any goals. Per usual, the Flames took a terrible holding the stick penalty by Dougie Hamilton and the Anaheim Voo Doo did it’s thing. Ryan Getzlaf fired a pass that deflected off of Lance Bouma and past Brian Elliott to give the Ducks a 3-2 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Final Thoughts

The Flames needed to play a perfect game to win and almost did. A stupid penalty late cost the Flames and these are the things Calgary needs to clean up if they have any prayer of winning this series. Calgary now goes home down 2-0 in the series and while not insurmountable, it’s not going to be easy.

Next Game:

4/17: Anaheim @ Calgary (Game 3)

by Mark Parkinson