Rookie Sennecke Seals Ducks Overtime Comeback In Calgary Thriller

The Anaheim Ducks delivered a thrilling comeback victory over the Calgary Flames on Sunday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome, with rookie sensation Beckett Sennecke stealing the spotlight. In front of an energetic crowd gathered for East Asian Celebration Night, Sennecke notched his first NHL hat trick, capping it off with a dramatic overtime winner at 2:54, as the Ducks edged the Flames 4-3. The win marks Anaheim’s seventh consecutive triumph, a streak not seen twice in a single season since 2014-15.

Sennecke’s three-goal performance not only propelled Anaheim to the extra point but also etched his name in the NHL record books. He became just the ninth rookie in league history to record a hat trick that included an overtime goal. With 18 goals and 41 points through 52 games, the Toronto native now leads all rookies in goals and sits second in overall rookie scoring, trailing only Montreal’s Ivan Demidov, who boasts 43 points. According to ESPN Research, "Sennecke's winner came on a 2-on-1 in which he kept the puck and snapped a shot past Dustin Wolf, beating him just inside the post."

The victory didn’t come easy for Anaheim (28-21-3), who found themselves on the back foot early. Calgary (21-25-6), desperate to snap a three-game scoring slump following the trade of defenseman Rasmus Andersson, came out blazing. The Flames dominated the opening period, outshooting the Ducks 17-3, and were rewarded with goals less than two minutes apart. Jonathan Huberdeau broke a personal drought with his ninth of the season at 6:17, capitalizing on a loose puck after Mikael Backlund’s effort was denied. Just 99 seconds later, rookie defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz recorded his first NHL goal, his attempted cross-ice pass ricocheting off a defender’s stick and past Lukas Dostal.

Despite the early deficit, the Ducks regrouped in the second period. Sennecke got Anaheim on the board at 3:22, finishing a slick three-way passing play. He struck again at 12:41, tying the game with a sharp-angled shot set up by Mikael Granlund’s cross-ice feed. The rookie’s composure was evident, and his knack for big moments was on full display.

Calgary regained the lead in the third period. Matt Coronato, parked at the side of the net during a power play, converted a cross-crease pass from Matvei Gridin at 4:50. The Saddledome erupted as the Flames took a 3-2 advantage, but the Ducks refused to go quietly. Chris Kreider, a recent addition to Anaheim’s forward corps, pulled the Ducks even once more at 13:08, finishing a perfect feed from Ryan Poehling on a 2-on-1 rush.

With the game knotted at 3-3, overtime beckoned, and the tension was palpable. Both teams traded chances, but it was Sennecke who seized the moment. On a 2-on-1 break, he elected to keep the puck, firing a laser past Dustin Wolf just inside the post. The rookie’s celebration was met with jubilation from the Ducks’ bench, while the Flames could only watch another opportunity slip away.

"It’s a dream come true," Sennecke said postgame, grinning ear to ear. "Getting my first hat trick and helping the team get the win in overtime—it doesn’t get much better than this." His teammates were quick to shower praise. Mikael Granlund, who tallied two assists, remarked, "He’s got that clutch gene. Beckett finds a way to deliver when it matters most." Alex Killorn also chipped in with two assists, showcasing Anaheim’s depth up front.

Goaltender Lukas Dostal was steady between the pipes, turning aside 32 of 35 shots to improve his record to 19-12-2. His calm presence helped steady the Ducks after a rocky first period. On the other side, Dustin Wolf made 17 saves for Calgary but saw his record fall to 15-21-2. The Flames, despite outshooting Anaheim 36-21 and controlling large stretches of play, were left to rue missed opportunities.

For Calgary, the loss extends their winless streak to four games (0-2-2) and keeps them mired in a 3-7-2 slump over their last 12 outings. The Flames have struggled to generate offense since Andersson’s departure, managing just one goal in each of their previous three contests before Sunday’s outburst. Still, there were positives: Huberdeau’s goal snapped a 10-game drought, and Brzustewicz’s milestone marker provided a glimpse of the team’s future on the blue line. Coronato’s power-play tally and assist showed he’s becoming a key contributor as well.

"We did a lot of things right," Flames coach said after the game. "But you’ve got to find ways to close out games, especially when you have the lead at home. Credit to Anaheim—they kept pushing and made the most of their chances."

The Ducks’ victory has significant playoff implications. With the win, Anaheim moves to within one point of the second-place Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division and holds a game in hand. The two teams are set to face off Monday in Edmonton, a matchup that could have major ramifications as the race for postseason spots heats up. The Ducks are eyeing their first Stanley Cup playoff appearance in eight seasons, and their league-leading 12 extra-time wins underscore their resilience in tight games.

Sunday’s clash also highlighted the impact of injuries on both squads. Calgary was without several regulars, including Blake Coleman, Samuel Honzek, Jake Bean, Zayne Parekh, and John Beecher. Anaheim, meanwhile, missed the services of Petr Mrazek, Leo Carlsson, Frank Vatrano, Troy Terry, and Mason McTavish. Depth was tested, and it was the Ducks’ supporting cast that ultimately rose to the occasion.

Looking ahead, the Ducks will travel to Edmonton for a crucial tilt against the Oilers. Meanwhile, the Flames will seek to regroup before visiting the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, hoping to halt their slide and reignite their playoff hopes.

As the dust settles in Calgary, one thing is clear: Beckett Sennecke’s star is on the rise, and the Anaheim Ducks are surging at just the right time. With history on their side and momentum building, the Pacific Division playoff race just got a whole lot more interesting.