Lovejoy Propels Streaking Ducks Past Flames, 6-3
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Ben Lovejoy had a goal and an assist, Frederik Andersen made 30 saves, and the Anaheim Ducks headed into the All-Star break on a five-game winning streak with a 6-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.
Kyle Palmieri and Patrick Maroon scored in a three-goal first period for the NHL-leading Ducks, who beat the Flames in Anaheim for the 20th consecutive time since Jan. 19, 2004. Calgary has won at Honda Center just once in this century.
Ryan Getzlaf, Tim Jackman and Ryan Kesler also scored as Anaheim (31-10-6) opened a three-point lead on Nashville atop the overall standings entering the break.
Mikael Backlund, Sean Monahan and Joe Colborne scored as the Flames' four-game winning streak ended in the finale of a five-game Pacific Division trip.
Calgary rookie Joni Ortio yielded four goals on 11 shots before getting yanked midway through the second period. Ortio came up from the minors before this trip and promptly won four straight games before flopping in the finale, allowing Jonas Hiller to finish against his longtime Anaheim teammates.
Calgary's losing streak in Anaheim is tied for the fourth-longest in a two-team series in NHL history. The Flames' five-game, road-winning streak also ended after the Ducks jumped to an early 4-0 lead and hung on.
The Ducks are 17-4-1 since Dec. 1.
After Palmieri put Anaheim ahead in the opening minutes off a sharp pass from Matt Beleskey, Maroon tipped home Lovejoy's shot for his second goal in three games.
Two minutes later, Lovejoy's long shot appeared to deflect off Kris Russell on the way past Ortio for the low-scoring defenseman's first goal of the season.
Shortly after Jackman's goal chased Ortio midway through the second period, Backlund scored on a loose puck in the slot.
Getzlaf and fellow All-Star captain Marc Giordano had to be separated after Getzlaf tripped over Giordano's outstretched leg in the second period, falling on his head. Getzlaf scored his 15th goal in the slot moments later.
Kesler added an empty-netter in the final minute.
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