I remember when the Calgary Flames would come into Honda, and it was an automatic win. Evidently? The iron in this building hasn’t been forgotten and did its part in trying to will the Anaheim Ducks to victory. If you’ve been following along, you know that stats and such are what they are but in a full tank season? I’m trying to reach deep and catch the feels of Ducks fans. It shouldn’t be too hard tonight, as this game was exactly what I expected going into this season. I expected high-scoring, close games with the kids advancing and playing well…but losing. As we all know by now, that dream has come and gone, as it’s mostly just poor play, worse coaching, and the lumps we’re taking.
I know the stats, but you can read a box score. Calgary won the game 3-2 in overtime. What happened in this game was far more bizarre and fun (I know, we lost), but this game was entertaining.
Lukas Dostal was again the defensive hero. Four straight games with 40 shots faced has to be some kind of ignominious record; I’m sure it is for Anaheim. However, as amazing as he was again tonight, Dostal doesn’t get the first star and all the credit for this point.
Let’s raise a glass to the true number-one star of this game. Raise a glass to the best on the ice tonight, the post. Savage in his work, he gave nothing to either team. This bizarre game had no less than ten post strikes, and until the final shot of the game? The post was undefeated. In turning shots away, his skill was unmatched. Here’s to you iron unkind. What a game.
Every game has a G.O.A.T. and an actual goat. John Klingberg had one of his worst games in an Anaheim sweater. I was having math class flashbacks trying to add up his turnovers, and the puck hits on the iron. He’s a quality player with amazing mobility, but having been a hero a few times lately? He was awful tonight. Klingberg’s final turnover lead to the OT winner. I take notes during the game, old school pad and paper, and I was getting carpel-tunnel writing “Klingberg TO.” Just not his night.
I’m anxious to write about something good, but let’s rip the band-aid off. After a competitive first period, the Ducks remembered who they are and committed four straight lazy stick work penalties. Klingberg wanted to make sure he was prominent on the sheet, so he made sure to get two penalties back to back. He didn’t even get back to the bench between them. He and the rest of the Ducks really let it rip and made sure that the second was as lopsided as possible. Calgary outshot Anaheim 24 to 1 in the second. Yes, you read that correctly, to 1.
Shockingly? The vaunted Ducks’ penalty kill (worst in the league) went four for four on the PK. Better yet? They drew five penalties themselves, going two for five. If you’ve been here all year, you know how unlikely it is for this team to win the special teams battle. Even more rare for a team to lose when that is the case. But the point was earned by the top two entities on the ice. The aforementioned Lukas Dostal and the poster child of the game, the Post.
Again and again in this game, the crossbar, glove side, and stick side Iron was there. No matter how deft or powerful the shot is? Post was always in position to make the “save.”
This game was a lot of fun for Ducks fans watching young Mason McTavish. Mason not only scored, but his defensive skills continue to grow and shine. Calgary had their hands full with him. They pulled him down to the ice four times before actually getting a penalty for it. I believe he will be a Calder Cup finalist, as the move to center is only accentuating his skills. He was a force on the ice all night. The kid is legit.
Since the kids are on our mind, don’t overlook one Troy Terry. Long time rumor is that he’s very good. Troy drove play constantly, fearlessly challenging the tough areas, and was a treat to watch. One thing I did notice today is that he is now always drawing two defenders, especially when the Ducks are on the PP. He has to learn to pass out of those situations, and his linemates will as well. Get in the zone even with Terry, put your stick down, drive the net and count the money. He’ll make you rich. (That’s an old Getzlaf line, but it applies)
During the second, after Calgary took the lead, Head coach Dallas Eakins finally played the line all Duck fans have been salivating for…the TMZ line. (Terry, McTavish, and Trevor Zegras) it worked in that they brought a ton of pressure, excitement, and several shifts of panic for the Calgary Flames. Although short-lived? It was fun to watch and bask in what the future will be like.
Feels are done, but now I’ll discuss some specifics of how the game played out…
The Ducks started the game by being outshot 6-0 before the Michael Stone point shot through heavy traffic goes in a span of around six minutes. Later in the period, the Flames themselves went six minutes without a shot until the Mason McTavish power play goal.
The less said about the second period, the better, so I’ll summarize. Four minor penalties in a row, the TMZ line makes an appearance, 24 shots to 1, even the referee gets involved by stopping a clearing pass right onto Brent Ritchie’s stick for a goal, and the Ducks simply don’t deserve Dostal.
A few notes on the third period. The Calgary Flames had their own string together of penalties allowing Jakob Silfverberg to score his first power-play goal of the season. I always feel good when Silf does something positive. Dallas Eakins must agree, as I assume that was the motivation for starting the second power-play unit on the Ducks’ third power-play. That decision noticeably sucked the life, energy, and flow out of the Anaheim special teams unit. Shots for the game end up at 44-22, with the Ducks doing a nice job of recovering from a brutally bad second to force OT.
The overtime story was much like the rest of the game. It was mostly controlled by the Ducks in the back-and-forth until John Klingberg shockingly turned the puck over. Tyler Toffoli feeds Rasmus Andersson for a very pretty shot up over Dostal’s shoulder, ringing the crossbar. Although he had an amazing game, that was finally the one that beat the post.
The Anaheim Ducks will enjoy the Christmas break and be back in action on Wednesday December 28th versus the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
