In Calgary, the Flames surrendered the first goal of the with the Anaheim Ducks and then reeled off six unanswered markers in a 6-1 thrashing of the Ducks on Friday night.
The win pushed the Flames to 48-23-7 and eight points clear of idle, second place San Jose Sharks, who can’t seem to win a game anyway.
Sean Monahan scored twice in win over Ducks – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“That’s our goal,” Calgary’s Sean Monahan said. “You play 82 games in a season and you want to be in first place. You take pride in that and playing for this organization. Those two points are huge.”
Monahan had two goals in the win.
“It’s nice to get a win after you have a loss on home ice,” Monahan said. “I think the team played well. [Smith] had some big saves at good times. When you win like that it’s fun.”
Mike Smith made 21 saves in the win.
Andy Welinski scored the Ducks’ lone goal.
“We really stuck with them through the first, we played a good period on the road, and they were relentless,” Welinski said. “They didn’t slow down, and I think that wore on us.”
Mark Giordano tied the game up at 1-1 and then the Flames were off to the races.
“It’s a different game if we go down two there,” Smith said. “It was an important save. And then [Giordano] goes down and blasts one through. That always feels good as a goalie to make a big save like that and have your team go down to the other end and capitalize on the chance. That was a big moment in the game.”
On a night of deflected goals, James Neal, Derek Ryan and Garnet Hathaway tipped and deflected pucks for goals for Calgary.
“Anytime you win and you’re part of the win, it’s great,” Monahan said. “Not playing well for a while, to break out and do that, obviously it’s a good feeling.”
[WATCH: All Ducks vs. Flames highlights]
Ryan Miller made 31 saves in the loss.
“We didn’t take care of the puck that well, especially in the neutral zone,” Anaheim’s Devin Shore said. “If you’re not getting the puck out and not getting it deep, it feeds their transition and they’re a really good transition team. Their D can move the puck really well and obviously their forwards are good on the rush.”
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