CALGARY — The Anaheim Ducks beat the Calgary Flames 5-3 at Scotiabank Saddledome, scoring four unanswered goals to erase a 3-1 deficit.
William Stromgren opened the scoring at 2:23 of the first period, assisted by Zayne Parekh and Yan Kuznetsov, to put Calgary ahead 1-0.
The opener carried a Wranglers connection — Stromgren, a former Wrangler, finishing a play from Parekh, who had a brief stint with the Wranglers himself.
Jeff Malott tied the game 1-1 at 2:50 of the first period, unassisted, 27 seconds later.
Joel Farabee was looking dangerous in the first, changing directions quickly with the puck to evade the defence and nearly setting up Matt Coronato to take the lead — skating with a clear effort and intensity.
Joel Hanley put Calgary back ahead 2-1 at 16:29 of the first period, assisted by Morgan Frost and Simon Nemec.
Farabee’s work was rewarded at 19:02 of the first period, when he extended the lead to 3-1 on the power play, assisted by Parekh and Frost.
Farabee is finding another level — a goal, four shots and a hand in Calgary's best chances all night.
Jonathan Castagna had some sweet Georgia Brown in his game as the Flames whipped it around the offensive zone, out with Adam Klapka and Stromgren on the fourth line.
Calgary was impressive in the first, going toe to toe with one of the hottest teams in hockey, and outshot Anaheim 11-6 in the period.
Tristan Luneau cut the lead to 3-2 at 12:02 of the second period, assisted by Jackson LaCombe and Leo Carlsson.
Leo Carlsson tied the game 3-3 on the power play at 0:55 of the third period, assisted by Beckett Sennecke and Mikael Granlund.
With the game tied in the third, Calgary's power-play unit of Farabee, Matvei Gridin, Parekh, Coronato and Frost looked dangerous, Dustin Wolf made a spectacular pad save on Roger McQueen, and when Sennecke tried a Michigan, Wolf shut it down with his glove.
Cutter Gauthier put Anaheim ahead 4-3 at 18:26 of the third period, assisted by Granlund and Sennecke, wiring a rocket from the dot to beat Wolf after being held pointless all night.
Nikita Nesterenko scored into an empty net at 19:46 of the third period, unassisted, with Wolf pulled for an extra attacker, for the 5-3 final.
Anaheim did it on the second night of a back-to-back, after a 5-4 win in Edmonton on Thursday, and won its fourth straight game.
Anaheim outshot Calgary 29-21. The Flames outshot the Ducks 11-6 in the first period, and Anaheim outshot Calgary 14-6 in the second period and 9-4 in the third period.
Lukas Dostal made eight saves on 11 shots in 20:00 for Anaheim, and Ville Husso made 10 saves on 10 shots in 39:40 and was credited with the win. Dustin Wolf made 24 saves on 28 shots in 58:52 for Calgary and was charged with the loss.
Each team went 1-for-3 on the power play.
The three stars were Sennecke (first), Carlsson (second) and Parekh (third).
Calgary, which entered the night four points back of the second wild card, stays on 15 points and hosts the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.
This recap is brought to you in part by Animas Painting — interior and exterior painting in Calgary. Reach Rafael at 403-604-5529.