Klapped Back

ANAHEIM — Put that one in the win column!

The Flames scored their first victory of the new season with a gritty, 4-2 triumph over the Ducks at Honda Center, earning a split in their home-and-home series with Anaheim.

Martin Pospisil's goal at 15:38 of the third period broke a 2-2 deadlock, after Aydar Suniev recorded his second tally in as many games (as well as his first career NHL multi-point contest) to even the score in period two. 

Adam Klapka and Yegor Sharangovich also lit the lamp for Calgary, while Dustin Wolf turned aside 22 of the 24 shots that came his way.

The Turning Point:

Tied 2-2 late in the third period, a furious flurry of events ended up in the Flames favour. 

First, Yan Kuznetsov threaded a beautiful pass to Matt Coronato at the back post, but his effort from in tight glanced off the right post, trickling across the crease to safety.

Then, the Ducks got a partial break, as Beckett Sennecke caught on to a stretch pass and sped into the Calgary zone, only to be thwarted beautifully by a Zach Whitecloud check as the Flames blueliner prevented the Anaheim youngster from scoring his second goal of the game.

On the ensuing rush, Martin Pospisil stepped over the blue line with the puck, faked a slap shot, cut left and zipped the puck past goalie Lukas Dostal to give the visitors a 3-2 advantage.

It's Always Sunny:

It took Aydar Suniev nine games to score his first NHL goal.

He got goal No. 2 in Game 10 of his young career, and in sublime fashion, too. Just after the expiration of a Flames 5-on-3, Suniev glided into the slot, was spotted by linemate Ryan Strome. The young Russian accepted a hard pass out of the left corner, dropped to one knee and ripped a one-timer over the shoulder of Ducks netminder Lukas Dostal for a goal that - just like Saturday in Calgary - evened the score at 2-2.

The Big Man:

Adam Klapka fell an assist short of completing a Gordie Howe hat-trick Tuesday at Honda Center. The 6-foot-8 winger opened the scoring with a long-range wrister 8:32 into the first period. Klapka hovered around the high slot, taking advantage of a Maxim Tsyplakov setup after Anaheim turned the puck over in their own end thanks in part to a strong pinch down the left wall by defenceman Jake Middleton.

In period two, Klapka answered the bell, dropping the mitts in a spirited tilt with Ducks heavyweight Jeff Malott.

And in the third, he sacrificed his body with just under 10 minutes to play, helping stave off some Anaheim pressure by stepping in front of, and absorbing, a slapshot from the point.

Ice Chips:

Calgary's 36 shots on goal were a season-high ... Maxim Tsyplakov recorded his first point as a Flame, assisting on Klapka's first-period marker ... Martin Pospisil won eight of his 12 draws ... Ryan Strome led the team with seven shots on target.

Stat Pack:

Shots: CGY 36, ANA 24

Powerplay: CGY 0-3, ANA 1-5

Faceoffs: CGY 57.4%, ANA 42.6%

Blocked Shots: CGY 15, ANA 20

Hits: CGY 17, ANA 22

5-on-5 Scoring Chances: CGY 30, ANA 21

5-on-5 High-Danger Scoring Chances: CGY 9, ANA 6

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:

Calgary's two-game trip continues with a matchup in Vegas against the Golden Knights Thursday. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. MT.

The Flames then return home to begin a stretch of four straight games at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the first of which goes Sunday at 6 p.m. MT versus the Carolina Hurricanes. **GET TICKETS**