During the second period of an NHL game on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Anaheim, California, Calgary Flames center Yegor Sharangovich (17) skillfully handled the puck while being pursued by Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77). (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
In a thrilling showdown in Anaheim on Tuesday night, Jonathan Huberdeau secured a much-needed win for the Calgary Flames with a power-play goal just over two minutes into overtime. The Flames edged out the Anaheim Ducks 3-2, breaking a two-game losing streak in the process.
MacKenzie Weegar played a pivotal role, contributing both a goal and an assist, while Nazem Kadri also found the back of the net. Goaltender Dustin Wolf proved his worth with 25 saves, holding off Anaheim’s relentless offence.
The Ducks, however, refused to go down easily. Mason McTavish tied the game with 12:24 left in regulation, showing sharp precision by deflecting Cutter Gauthier’s shot into the net during a power play. Alex Killorn added another goal for Anaheim, and John Gibson made an impressive 30 saves, keeping his team in contention throughout the night.
Calgary suffered a scare when Connor Zary injured his left knee in a second-period collision with Ducks defenceman Drew Helleson. The hit led to Helleson’s ejection, but Zary’s visible pain raised concerns for the Flames. Despite this, the team rallied, with Kadri responding moments after Killorn’s goal to keep Calgary in the game.
The decisive moment came in overtime when Calgary capitalized on a controversial interference penalty against Anaheim’s Pavel Mintyukov. A fortuitous bounce off the boards landed the puck right in front of Anaheim’s netminder, John Gibson. Huberdeau seized the opportunity, striking the puck into the net and clinching the victory.
Key Takeaways
For the Flames:
Connor Zary’s injury was a major setback, and the team will likely keep a close eye on his recovery. Despite the adversity, Calgary showed resilience, making the most of their chances, including the game-winning power play.
For the Ducks:
Anaheim missed the chance to record five wins in six games, but the team continues to show improvement under head coach Greg Cronin. Their power play, which has struggled all season, is beginning to show signs of life with two goals in the past three games.
Summary
Jonathan Huberdeau’s overtime goal lifted the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks, breaking a two-game losing streak. Despite Connor Zary’s injury and a strong challenge from Anaheim, Calgary capitalized on critical moments, including a controversial overtime penalty, to secure the victory.
