Ducks goaltender John Gibson makes a save in front of the Calgary Flames’ Alex Chiasson during the second period of Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Thursdaya night at Honda Center. The Ducks won, 3-2. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks fans cheers for the team before the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Flames at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ fans head into their game against the Calgary Flames for Game One of the First Round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A colorful Steve Markusic heads into the Anaheim Ducks’ game against the Calgary Flames in Game One of the First Round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Bear Brass Band plays as they head to the Anaheim Ducks game against the Calgary Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Bear Brass Band head to the Anaheim Ducks game against the Calgary Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks team celebrate center Ryan Getzlaf (15)’s goal during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Flames at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrates his goal in the first period during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Flames at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf, center, celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH102
Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7), left, is being tripped by Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) blocks a shot by Flames left wing Micheal Ferland (79) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) looks away after giving up a goal to Flames center Sean Monahan (23) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Andrew Cogliano lies on the ice after being tripped by the Calgary Flames’ Dougie Hamilton during the first period of Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The puck shot by Flames center Sean Monahan (23) pass by Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Flames team celebrate center Sean Monahan (23)’s goal during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17), left, body checks Flames defenseman Michael Stone (26) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) blocks a shot during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Flames at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) is being hooked by Flames center Sam Bennett (93) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47), right, and Flames left wing Lance Bouma (17) battle for a position on a shot during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle watches the game during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Flames at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks defenseman Shea Theodore (53), left, and Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) battle for the puck during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67), right, scores past Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The puck hit by Anaheim Ducks’ Jakob Silfverberg, of Sweden, enters the net past Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott for a goal during the second period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH115
Anaheim Ducks’ Rickard Rakell, of Sweden, celebrates his goal against the Calgary Flames during the second period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH113
Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67), left, celebrates his goal with center Ryan Getzlaf (15) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Flames at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Flames center Sam Bennett (93) scores past Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson picks himself up as the Calgary Flames’ Alex Chiasson celebrates Sam Bennett’s second period goal during Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) blocks a shot by Flames left wing Lance Bouma (17) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks left wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) celebrates his goal with the bench during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Flames at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goaltender John Gibson makes a save in front of the Calgary Flames’ Alex Chiasson during the second period of Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Thursdaya night at Honda Center. The Ducks won, 3-2. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks right wing Chris Wagner (21), right, body checks Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (5) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Corey Perry checks for blood after getting hit in the face during a face off against the Calgary Flames during the second period of Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson makes a save under the Calgary Flames’ Micheal Ferland as Sami Vatanen helps defend during the second period of Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender John Gibson makes a save after the Calgary Flames’ Lance Bouma takes a goalie interference penalty during the second period of Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Sami Vatanen checks the Calgary Flames’ Micheal Ferland during the second period of Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks fans celebrate Jakob Silfverberg’s second period goal as the Calgary Flames’ Michael Frolik skates to the bench during Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf moves the puck as Calgary Flames’ Matthew Tkachuk watches during the second period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH117
Calgary Flames’ Dougie Hamilton, left, pushes Anaheim Ducks’ Rickard Rakell, of Sweden, against the boards during the second period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH118
Anaheim Ducks’ Nate Thompson, bottom, is grabbed by Calgary Flames’ Troy Brouwer during the third period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks won 3-2. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH119
Anaheim Ducks players are tangled up with Calgary Flames players during the third period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks won 3-2. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH121
Ducks defenseman Shea Theodore (53), bottom, controls the puck past Flames right wing Troy Brouwer (36) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) dives to save the puck during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Flames at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) saves a shot by Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) with his pad during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf checks the Calgary Flames’ Mark Giordano during the third period of the Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf checks the Calgary Flames’ Mark Giordano during the third period of the Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf checks the Calgary Flames’ Mark Giordano during the third period of the Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Flames center Mikael Backlund (11), top, shoves Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17)’s head during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks and Flames players scuffle during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks team celebrate their win over Flames during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15), right, celebrates the win over the Flames with defenseman Sami Vatanen (45), center, and left wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) during the game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series at Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Antoine Vermette tries to get past the Calgary Flames’ Sam Bennett after being slashed by Kris Versteeg during the third period of the Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Corey Perry sprays Calgary Flames’ goaltender Brian Elliott during the third period of the Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fans celebrate the Anaheim Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames as Ryan Kesler exits the penalty box after Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dawn Wright, flanked by the Irvine Police Department Honor Guard, sings the National Anthem before Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Kesler is called for a delay of game penalty with .9 seconds during the third period of the Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fans celebrate the Ducks’ 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Calgary Flames fan Brian Carrol walks up the stairs before the team’s opening game of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks, Thursday, April 13, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH112
ANAHEIM >> Not a minute had elapsed in Game 1 when Ryan Getzlaf scored a power-play goal and the chant from a sold-out orange towel-whirling Honda Center crowd started up in earnest and was aimed right at the Calgary Flames.
“You Can’t Win Here!”
Maybe the crowd was right.
It wasn’t as if the Flames didn’t try, as they have for nearly a dozen years, but the Ducks grabbed the opener of the best-of-7 first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday night, using two goals in the second period to claim a 3-2 victory and maintain their imposing home-ice advantage against them.
Game 2 is Saturday night.
“We talk about home ice and battling for it, but it’s only home ice if you use it,” Getzlaf said. “We got our win tonight and we’re going to move on to the next one.”
Rickard Rakell forged a tie with a rebound goal and Jakob Silfverberg snapped that tie with a power-play strike to give the Ducks the lead. And they would hold onto it, with John Gibson making 30 saves as the goalie worked through two shaky periods to come up big in the third.
Gibson made a crucial left pad save on a shot from Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau with 17.2 seconds left, as the Ducks killed off the Flames’ two-man advantage to end the game.
“It’s obviously not a position you want to be in,” Gibson said. “Having some experience with that, I think we know how to handle it. … I missed catching it so I had to make up for it. It’s true.”
If the Flames have any designs on upsetting the favored Ducks, they’ll have to break the Honda Center hex that’s got them spellbound. The last Calgary victory of any kind – regular season or postseason – came in Game 3 of a first-round series in 2006.
The streak that’s now at 28 games is one of the juiciest talking points in the series. It has had the Ducks wondering if the law of averages finally decides to show up. Some poise throughout the game against the undisciplined Flames kept it going.
It was particularly needed as Calgary had a 5-on-3 advantage with 2:20 left and a 6-on-4 created by pulling goalie Brian Elliott after Ryan Kesler exited the penalty box. Kesler nearly ran out the clock by trapping a late puck shot his way underneath him.
“I was in the slot and I didn’t know what was around me,” Kesler said. “I wasn’t doing anything else but sitting on that thing. I was trying to. I almost did.”
The Ducks used a major Calgary error to turn the tide. Trailing 2-1 in the second after Sam Bennett’s goal 9:46 into it, the Flames had a line change that no coach would ever draw up. Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa caught them and hit Getzlaf with a long stretch pass, creating a 3-on-0 attack from the Calgary blue line in.
Elliott, who stopped 38 shots, made an initial one on Getzlaf, but Rakell found the rebound and put it in.
“It was a good pass off the pads on the breakaway,” Getzlaf joked. “Obviously those are things that Ricky does very well. He identifies his holes and where to be. I missed my shot but that’s why those guys are there. They’re goal scorers for a reason.”
And then the Ducks feasted on Calgary’s regular visits to the penalty box. They were handed seven power plays and Silfverberg dined heartily by pumping a wrist shot through Elliott for the lead.
“We’re frustrated,” Calgary captain Mark Giordano said. “Our discipline tonight hurt us, but we’re right there. We can play with these guys. We know we can. Certain moments in the game, we had looks. Good looks to go up by two.
“We didn’t score. Then they get a break and come down and score.”
In the days leading up to Game 1, Carlyle and his Calgary counterpart Glen Gulutzan stressed to their frequently chippy teams that they have to play between the whistles. And there weren’t the histrionics that took place here April 4 after the Giordano knee incident with the injured and sidelined Cam Fowler.
Whistles were still blown. Often. Five penalties were called between the two factions and it could set the tone for the series, given the Ducks and Flames were the NHL’s two most penalized teams.
“There’s no way we can expect undisciplined acts to not be called,” Carlyle said. “The referees are too good in the game. We’ve all met with the director officiating for the series. They’ve set the guidelines.”
The Ducks took advantage of a penalty right away. Kesler won a faceoff against Calgary’s Mikael Backlund and Shea Theodore and Silfverberg moved possession of the puck to the point, where Getzlaf ripped a slap shot in off Elliott to cash in Dougie Hamiltion’s penalty just 52 seconds in.
It became Getzlaf’s 30th career playoff goal and 100th postseason point. And it was also Theodore’s first playoff point, to which he would add one later. But the Flames got their power play cranked up as well in the first.
As Ducks rookie Ondrej Kase sat in the penalty box for slashing, Kris Versteeg fed a cross-ice toward the net that Sean Monahan directed in for a 1-1 tie. The play only occurs when Calgary defenseman TJ Brodie manages to keep Josh Manson’s clearing attempt in the offensive zone.
Rakell would fan on a perfect set-up pass by Kesler near the end of the first but he didn’t miss on his next big opportunity, renewing the Ducks and providing liftoff to their second-period momentum switch. Getzlaf added to his massive game by throwing a bit hit on Giordano and taking a lead role on that game-ending penalty kill.
“We’re going to have to earn everything,” Getzlaf said. “That’s a great hockey team over there. We’re going to have to continue to get better at certain areas. But ultimately we found a way to win tonight.”
ANAHEIM >> Not a minute had elapsed in Game 1 when Ryan Getzlaf scored a power-play goal and the chant from a sold-out orange towel-whirling Honda Center crowd started up in earnest and was aimed right at the Calgary Flames.
