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Calgary Flames 1 Anaheim Ducks 3
The Flames came into this contest down 3-0 to the Ducks and in desperate need of a win. If the Flames played the entire contest like they played the last 30 or so minutes they may have won. However, Calgary came out slow and almost disinterested, finding themselves down 2-0 early and losing 3-1 in the end.
1st Period
All you need to know about the first period is this: Calgary replaced Brian Elliott after 3 shots and a goal in under 6 minutes. It didn’t get any better. Chad Johnson came in and gave up a goal on his first shot faced and in 6:46 seconds the Ducks had a 2-0 lead. One team came out playing like the were about to be eliminated......too bad it was the team that had a 3-0 lead in the series. Calgary came out flat, almost uninspired, whereas the Ducks came out with a head of steam getting goals from Patrick Eaves and Nate Thompson. First period summary: Anaheim, Good. Calgary, Not.
2nd Period
The Flames would get one back in a period where they seemed to show a little life. Sean Monahan would bat a loose puck out of the air and send it past John Gibson to make the score 2-1. It was Monahan’s 4th PPG in as many games and the Flames finally got one of those weird bounces that the Ducks have been getting all series.
3rd Period
The Flames once again found themselves pressing in the third period, bring the game to the Ducks for most of the period. Calgary would continue to out shoot the Ducks, but John Gibson would more than be up to the task. The Anaheim net minder stoned the Flames at every chance, keeping them off the board for the final 20. Not to be outdone, Chad Johnson made some huge saves at the other end of the rink, but there wasn’t enough Flames offense to get the job done. The Ducks would ice it with 7 second left when Ryan Getzlaf would score an empty netter to sweep the Flames.
Final Thoughts
The Flames were swept in a series where they didn’t play badly at all. Minus the final period or so of Game 3 and the first period of this game the Flames played right along with the Ducks. Calgary just found themselves flat footed at the start of this contest and Anaheim took full advantage.