Flames Doubled By Ducks

Morgan Frost and Aydar Suniev lit the lamp for the Flames, but Ryan Poehling's short-handed marker 5:35 into the third period stood up as the decider as the Ducks skated away with a 4-2 victory Saturday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Turning Point:

With the game knotted at 2-2 early in period three, Calgary got a pair of powerplays thanks to minors from Jackson LaCombe and Tim Washe. But during the Washe penalty, Poehling found space down the right wing and snapped a shot past Dustin Wolf to give Anaheim a lead they would not relinquish.

Both Ducks markers came on special teams Saturday; LaCombe opened the scoring on a powerplay just past the midway mark of period one.

Sunny Side Up:

Aydar Suniev played in career NHL game No. 9 Saturday night and late in the second period, the rookie winger made magic happen. 

After linemate Matt Coronato drove wide down the right wing, Suniev set up shot at the bottom of the left circle. Coronato peeled around the net, spotted his fellow winger, and sifted a pass onto Suniev's tape. 

From there, instinct kicked in, and Suniev saw the smallest of targets between the left post and Ducks netminder Ville Husso's backside. And that's exactly where he placed his shot, snapping home his first NHL goal to even the score at 2-2.

And as big as the crowd pop was when the red light went on, the roar from the Scotiabank Saddledome faithful moments later was even bigger, when it was announced in-bowl that Suniev had his first tally in the League.

The Bone-Rattler:

Kevin Bahl put his stamp on the game - and Ducks forward Sam Colangelo - in his first shift of Saturday's contest.

After Colangelo accepted a pass at his own blue line, Bahl seized his opportunity, glided through the centre circle and lowered the boom on the Anaheim winger with a hard, but clean, body check that had everyone inside the 'Dome bracing for impact, both when viewing the play live, then again during the numerous replays in the ensuing stoppage of play.

Ice Chips:

Matt Coronato finished the game with two assists ... Simon Nemec registered his first point as a Flame, assisting on Morgan Frost's first-period marker ... Joel Farabee led Calgary with five shots on goal.

Stat Pack:

Shots: CGY 29, ANA 28

Powerplay: CGY 0-3, ANA 1-2

Faceoffs: CGY 50.7%, ANA 49.3%

Blocked Shots: CGY 15, ANA 23

Hits: CGY 24, ANA 27

5-on-5 Scoring Chances: CGY 28, ANA 23

5-on-5 High-Danger Scoring Chances: CGY 13, ANA 14

Lines & Pairings:

FORWARDS

Yegor Sharangovich - Mikael Backlund - Joel Farabee

Aydar Suniev - Morgan Frost - Matt Coronato

Matvei Gridin - Martin Pospisil - Ryan Strome

Maxim Tsyplakov - Jonathan Castagna - Adam Klapka

DEFENCEMEN

Kevin Bahl - Simon Nemec

Yan Kuznetsov - Zach Whitecloud

Jake Middleton - Zayne Parekh

GOALTENDERS

Dustin Wolf (starter)

Devin Cooley

They Said It:

What's Next:

These two sides will renew acquaintances in Anaheim Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. MT, as the Flames open a two-game road trip.

The Pacific Division swing will conclude Thursday evening in Vegas at 8 p.m. MT.