Rookie forward Beckett Sennecke delivered a memorable performance, scoring at 2:54 of overtime to complete his first NHL hat trick and secure a 4-3 win for the Anaheim Ducks over the Calgary Flames. The 19-year-old kept the puck on a 2-on-1 rush and snapped a shot past Dustin Wolf inside the post, capping a thrilling comeback in Calgary.
This victory marked the Ducks’ seventh straight win, boosting their record to 28-21-3. Anaheim now trails the Pacific Division’s second-place Edmonton Oilers by just one point, with a game in hand. The teams meet Monday in Edmonton.
Game recap: A wild night in Calgary
The Flames struck quickly, building a 2-0 lead within the first eight minutes. Jonathan Huberdeau snapped a 10-game goalless drought with his ninth goal of the season. Moments later, Hunter Brzustewicz netted his first NHL goal in his 18th game, firing past Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal.
Anaheim responded to tie the score at 2-2 by the end of the second period. Sennecke tallied twice in regulation, showcasing his sniper’s touch and poise under pressure. The Ducks’ rally forced overtime after a back-and-forth battle.
In the third, Matt Coronato broke the deadlock at 4:50 for Calgary, but Chris Kreider answered at 13:08 to even it. Dostal stood tall with 32 saves, improving to 19-12-2. Wolf made 17 stops but dropped to 15-21-2.
Calgary’s early offense came after a sluggish stretch post-trading defenseman Rasmus Andersson. They had managed just one goal per game in their prior three outings.
Sennecke’s historic rookie milestone
Sennecke’s three goals marked his 18th of the season, pushing his point total to 41. This places him second among NHL rookies, behind only Montreal’s Ivan Demidov (11 goals, 32 assists for 43 points).
He became the ninth rookie in league history to record a hat trick that included an overtime winner. The performance highlighted his rapid adjustment to NHL speed since debuting this season. [For full stats, check his NHL profile.]
Mikael Granlund and Alex Killorn each dished two assists, fueling the offense. Sennecke’s OT snap exemplified his finishing ability.
This hat trick drew comparisons to past rookie sensations. His season trajectory suggests a cornerstone for Anaheim’s rebuild.
Ducks’ sizzling streak continues
Anaheim’s second seven-game winning streak this season is the first time since 2014-15 they’ve achieved multiple such runs. The Ducks have found rhythm defensively and offensively.
Dostal’s emergence has stabilized the net. The team’s depth shone, with Kreider’s timely goal.
Standings implications loom large. One point from second in the Pacific, they hold momentum heading to Edmonton.
Fan excitement builds around this young core. The streak signals playoff contention potential.
Flames’ scoring woes persist
Calgary sits at 21-25-6, winless in four (0-2-2). Huberdeau’s tally ended his slump, but the team struggled to hold leads.
Brzustewicz’s milestone offered hope for youth. Coronato added a key third-period strike.
Post-Andersson trade, offense dried up. Only one goal per game in recent outings exposed vulnerabilities.
Wolf faced heavy pressure late. Rebuilding pains continue for the Flames.
| Category | Ducks Scorers | Flames Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Sennecke (3), Kreider (1) | Huberdeau (1), Coronato (1), Brzustewicz (1) |
| Assists | Granlund (2), Killorn (2) | Varied |
| Saves | Dostal (32) | Wolf (17) |
Sennecke’s heroics propel the Ducks into a crucial divisional clash with the Oilers. If Anaheim sustains this form, Sennecke could emerge as a Calder Trophy contender. For Flames fans, lessons from this loss may spark adjustments before their skid worsens.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.