Getzlaf celebrates new deal by leading Ducks past Flames
ANAHEIM -- Friday was another great day in the neighborhood for Ryan Getzlaf and the Ducks.
Getzlaf, who signed an extension with the club earlier in the day, scored a goal and assisted on another, resulting in his 500th point in his NHL career, as the Ducks coasted to a 4-0 victory over the Calgary Flames before an announced crowd of 15,839 at Honda Center.
"We didn't start the game the way we wanted to," Getzlaf said. "But our goalie played unbelievable in the first period to give us a chance. For us to come out with 1-0 (lead) after that period we were pretty thankful for that. Guys did a good job of tightening things up after that. And obviously we got the win."
Anaheim (17-3-3), which is off to its best start through 23 games, has won 10 in a row at home, just one short of the franchise record. It can tie the mark Sunday with a win over the St. Louis Blues.
Goalie Viktor Fasth, who has won all five of the games he's started at home, recorded his second shutout. He finished with 29 saves. It also was the Ducks' second consecutive shutout, following a 2-0 decision over the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday.
"It's fun to be a part of this team," said Fasth, who is 10-1-1 in games he's started. "I'm glad I got to play again. I was not satisfied at how I played against Phoenix in the first game there (a 5-4 shootout loss last week). I just try to do my best for the team. But I just try to be prepared every day and stay focused on what I'm doing."
Anaheim, which captured its 16th straight home victory over the Flames (9-9-4), skated to a 3-0 lead through two periods despite being outshot 22-9 by the Flames at one point. Getzlaf recorded his NHL milestone -- coming in his 535th contest -- at the 13:38 mark of the second when he and Corey Perry assisted on Bobby Ryan's goal for a 2-0 Ducks' lead. It was Ryan's seventh goal of the season.
"Once they got their second goal it totally changed the momentum," Calgary's Jarome Iginla said. "They took control of the game. I thought we carried most of the play for the first half, but they're winning a lot of games this year, and once they were up by two, they went along with the momentum."
The Ducks increased the margin a little more than two minutes later, when defenseman Sheldon Souray, with Brad Staubitz and Emerson Etem assisting, ripped a shot just steps inside the blue line past Flames' defenders and goalie Miikka Kiprusoff for a 3-0 advantage. Souray has five goals on the season.
Getzlaf added a goal, his 10th of the season, with assists by Ryan and Luca Sbisa, at the 16:18 mark of the third. Getzlaf leads the Ducks with 29 points.
The Ducks wasted little time getting on the board. Center Andrew Cogliano, who fielded a pass from Saku Koivu near the back of the Flames' net, zipped it to Daniel Winnik, who slapped the puck in a few feet outside the crease for a 1-0 Ducks lead just 1:15 into the first period. It was Winnink's sixth goal of the season. He had a pair of goals in the Ducks' 5-4 win over Calgary on Jan. 21.
Missed opportunities early cost the Flames.
"We had some great chances and Fasth made some great saves," Calgary coach Bob Hartley said. "He prevented us from tying the game. I felt that even though they scored a quick goal on us, we rebounded very well.
"The first 34 or 35 minutes, we played great hockey. We won the puck, we were physical, we did everything except score and then that second goal really hurt us. It put us back on our heels, we had to open up and they took advantage of that."
NOTES: Getzlaf's eight-year extension is reportedly worth $8.2 million annually, according to NHL.com. "This is a wonderful day for my family, as Anaheim has become our home," Getzlaf said. "The fans here have treated me very well and I look forward to being a part of a winning hockey team and contributing to the Orange County community for years to come." ... The Ducks are 11-1-2 in their last 14 games. ... Even though he has not scored a goal in the past 10 games, Flames center Jiri Hudler has recorded six assists in the past four. ... The two clubs will complete their three-game series in an April 19 game at Calgary.
