CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Matt Coronato scored a natural hat trick, Dustin Wolf made 30 saves, and the Calgary Flames triumphed over the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on Thursday night.
Coronato propelled the Flames to victory with three pivotal goals, one of which gave Calgary the lead late in the second period. The initial breakthrough came from Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano, who opened the scoring midway through the first period with his 300th NHL point. Yet, the Flames rallied back, with Adam Klapka finding the net just 15 seconds after the second period began, leveling the score at 1-1.
Coronato delivered the go-ahead goal with just 44 seconds remaining in the second frame, showcasing his skill with a wrist shot from the high slot. The sequence unfolded after the Ducks attempted to clear the puck from their zone. Instead of getting it out, the puck found its way to Coronato, who took full advantage, skillfully maneuvering for the shot.
Dustin Wolf stood tall for the Flames with 30 saves, ensuring his team capitalized on their momentum. He staved off Anaheim’s attempts, including their power plays, as the Ducks struggled, finishing 0 for 4 on the power play.
Coronato doubled the Flames' lead at 16:10 of the third period, taking advantage of Ducks’ goalie John Gibson's disastrous turnover. After Gibson's clearing attempt deflected off Blake Coleman, Coronato was quick to pounce, making it 3-1 with another close-range strike.
The final chapter of the game sealed Coronato’s natural hat trick with 2:23 left on the clock, adding the empty-net goal to solidify the Flames’ 4-1 victory. His performance marked not only his first hat trick but also served as the highlight of the night for the Flames, who were eager to avoid losing streaks after recent tough outings.
Key Takeaways:
The victory against the Ducks marked Calgary's move to sustain momentum as they prepare for their next game against Detroit. Setting the pace with this win was necessary for the Flames, particularly amid swirling trade speculations, which saw winger Andrei Kuzmenko scratched from the lineup for this matchup.
The Ducks, on the other hand, had come off three consecutive victories, making their defeat all the more stark. Coach Dallas Eakins and his team face the challenge of regrouping as they prepare to host the Montreal Canadiens this Sunday.
Ensuring they capitalize on their power play opportunities will be key for the Ducks moving forward, as they found themselves on the wrong end of momentum shifts during the match. With no short-handed goals previously this season, the Ducks will look to turn their fortunes around and address their offensive inconsistencies.
This result not only reinforces the Flames' capabilities but highlights how pivotal individual performances can be, especially from up-and-coming stars like Coronato, whose rapid development is becoming increasingly evident. Both teams will strive to learn from this encounter and adjust their strategies as the season progresses.