Rakell gets decisive goal in Ducks' win over Flames
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Rickard Rakell scored the decisive third-period power-play goal as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Friday night.
Anaheim (17-14-8) won for the third time in its last four contests to even the season series between the teams at 1-1. Cam Fowler registered the other Ducks goal, and goaltender John Gibson made 22 saves.
Calgary (18-16-4) lost its third straight game and lost six of its last eight contests. Michael Ferland scored the lone Flames goal, and Mike Smith made 39 saves.
The Ducks took a 1-0 lead on Fowler's fifth goal of the season at 3:48 of the first period. Fowler penetrated to the net and was in position for a backhand shot after Ryan Getzlaf whiffed on the puck just in front of Smith. Rakell had the secondary assist.
Anaheim had an apparent power-play goal taken off the board at 19:58 of the first period when a video review determined Ryan Kesler kicked the puck into the net.
The Flames tied the game at 1-1 on Ferland's 15th goal of the season at 11:55 of the second period. Gibson stopped Matt Bartkowski's slap shot from the blueline but Ferland beat Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin to the deep rebound to bat it home. Smith was awarded a rare secondary assist, his second of the season.
The Ducks regained the lead at 2-1 on Rakell's power-play goal, his 12th of the season, at 2:17 of the third period. Jakob Silfverberg and Getzlaf worked a quick give-and-go that allowed Rakell to break in on the back door for a wrist shot into an open net. Rakell has registered goals in four consecutive games.
NOTES: Flames RW Michael Frolik was scratched after suffering a broken jaw and the loss of several teeth after being struck by a shot from San Jose's Brent Burns during the first period of Calgary's 3-2 shootout loss in San Jose on Thursday night. Coach Glen Gulutzan said he is week-to-week. ... Calgary did not dress C Freddie Hamilton, D Brett Kulak and Frolik. ... Legendary Flames RW Jaromir Jagr played in his 1,733rd NHL game, passing Ron Francis for third place on the all-time list. Jagr, 45, is just 36 games away from being the all-time leader in games played. ... Anaheim scratched D Korbinian Holzer, C Derek Grant and D Andy Welinski. ... The Ducks will ring in the New Year on Sunday afternoon at home against the Arizona Coyotes. ... Anaheim assigned C Dennis Rasmussen to its AHL San Diego affiliate after clearing waivers.