Ducks Edge Flames 3-2 in Shootout Behind Gauthier’s Two Goals

Cutter Gauthier was the star of the night for the Anaheim Ducks, scoring twice in regulation and helping his team secure a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory over the Calgary Flames. The win marked the Ducks’ eighth consecutive triumph at home, showcasing their dominance in Anaheim.

Goalie Lukas Dostal was instrumental in the victory, making 32 saves and denying Matvei Gridin on the final shot of the shootout. This win improved the Ducks’ record to 14-3 in games that have extended into overtime. In the shootout, Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish both converted their chances, with McTavish sliding the puck through Flames goalie Devin Cooley’s legs for the decisive goal.

The game was tightly contested, with Joel Farabee and Yegor Sharangovich each scoring for Calgary in regulation. Cooley put forth a strong performance, stopping 34 shots to keep the Flames competitive throughout the match.

Gauthier’s first goal came with 8:46 left in the second period, as he executed a clever play by retrieving his own rebound behind the net. He flicked a shot off the back of Cooley’s shoulder, causing the puck to bounce into the net and tie the game at one. However, the Flames answered back with a power-play goal from Sharangovich, who found the back of the net with just 3:50 remaining in the second period, giving Calgary a 2-1 lead.

In the third period, Gauthier struck again, tying the game at 2-all with a powerful shot from the right circle that found its way past Cooley’s left skate. Assists came from Beckett Sennecke and Jackson LaCombe, setting the stage for a tense finish.

As the clock wound down, Calgary’s Morgan Frost took an interference penalty with just 24.6 seconds remaining in overtime. Despite a brief 4-on-3 advantage, the Ducks were unable to capitalize, leading to the shootout.

Prior to the game, Ducks coach Joel Quenneville was honored in a pregame ceremony for joining Scotty Bowman as the only NHL coaches to achieve 1,000 wins, adding an extra layer of significance to the night.

The Ducks will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, while the Flames return home to face the Dallas Stars.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.