Perry's overtime goal puts Ducks in West finals
The Anaheim Ducks are moving on to the Western Conference Final. (USATSI)
Every night during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Eye On Hockey writers Adam Gretz and Chris Peters will bring you up to speed everything you need to know about all of the action around the NHL. Here’s what you need to know about Ducks vs. Flames, Game 5
Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames, Game 5
Ducks 3, Flames 2 | Ducks win series 4-1
Game 5 in a nutshell: Corey Perry was able to return to the game after a scary collision with Calgary’s Matt Stajan and scored the game-winning, series-clinching goal in overtime to send the Anaheim Ducks to the Western Conference Final for the first time since the 2006-07 season. And for coach Bruce Boudreau, it is his first trip to the Conference Finals at the NHL level.
Turning point: It wasn’t Perry’s goal in overtime, and it wasn’t necessarily in the game-tying goal by Matt Beleskey early in the third period. It was the hooking penalty to Flames rookie forward Johnny Gaudreau late in the second period, with the Flames leading 2-1, that gave Anaheim the power play that led to the tying goal. Even though it went to overtime this was a pretty lopsided game when it came to puck possession as the Ducks outshot Calgary 47-19 and were constantly buzzing around the Flames’ net. They just needed needed an opportunity and a couple of breaks to finally get through Flames goalie Karri Ramo and complete what would be yet another third period come-from-behind win.
Three things we learned
1. The Flames still can’t win in Anaheim. Their loss on Sunday night was the Flames’ 22nd consecutive loss in Anaheim, including all three games in this series. When you’re the lower seeded team in a playoff series it’s impossible to win it when you can not win a game in the other team’s building. Still, it was an incredible season for the Flames as they not only overcame the odds pretty much every single night during the regular season, but also managed to win a playoff series for the first time since the 2003-04 playoffs. With a young core of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett already in place, as well as one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL when healthy (Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie — Giordano missed the entire postseason for the Flames) they certainly have something to build in going into next season.
2. The Western Conference Final matchup is set. The Ducks will take on the Chicago Blackhawks, who are appearing in their fifth conference final over the past seven seasons, in a matchup of two of the powerhouse teams in the NHL over the past few seasons. Between Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Marian Hossa and Ryan Kesler there is going to be a ton of starpower on display in this series. These have also been two of the highets scoring teams in this year’s playoffs.
3. Corey Perry’s health might be a concern. Perry was able to return to the game after he was hit by Calgary’s Matt Stajan late in the second period, and even though he ended up scoring the game-winning goal he never really looked like himself after the hit. It would be awfully difficult for the Ducks to beat Chicago in the next series if Perry is less than 100 percent, especially given the way he has dominated the playoffs so far. He has been a complete game changer every time he steps on the ice for the Ducks.
Video of the game: Perry sends the Ducks to the Western Conference Final with his goal right on the doorstep.
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