The Anaheim Ducks rallied for a 4-3 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, with Alex Killorn scoring his second goal of the game just 1:43 into overtime. Killorn capitalized on a stretch pass from Robby Fabbri, breaking away to secure the win. Ducks coach Greg Cronin noted that Killorn was not a typical overtime selection, emphasizing his defensive reliability, which ultimately worked out perfectly for the team. The victory ended Anaheim’s five-game winless streak (0-4-1).
The Ducks saw strong performances from several players, including Jackson LaCombe, who contributed a goal and an assist, and Troy Terry and Robby Fabbri, who each tallied two assists. Goaltender John Gibson was instrumental in the win, making 39 saves, 16 of which came during a critical third period. The Ducks’ forward Ryan Strome praised the team’s resilience, acknowledging the difficulty of their road trip and expressing pride in their ability to secure a win in the final game.
The Blue Jackets, who have struggled to maintain leads, received goals from Kirill Marchenko, Cole Sillinger, and James van Riemsdyk. Despite a strong start, Columbus let another third-period lead slip away, marking their second consecutive overtime loss after leading late. Goaltender Jet Greaves made 23 saves, but defensive lapses allowed the Ducks to capitalize. Van Riemsdyk emphasized the need for consistency, particularly in maintaining control when holding a third-period advantage.
Mason McTavish opened the scoring for Anaheim with his 100th NHL point in the first period, but Columbus quickly responded with goals from Marchenko and Sillinger to take a 2-1 lead. Killorn tied the game 2-2 in the second period, setting the stage for a tense third period. After van Riemsdyk put Columbus ahead again, LaCombe’s long shot through traffic tied the game at 3-3 with just under three minutes left, forcing overtime.
The Ducks’ win came on an emotional day, as Anaheim traded veteran defenseman Cam Fowler to the St. Louis Blues. Fowler, who spent 15 seasons with the Ducks and played 991 games, was a significant figure in franchise history. Ryan Strome acknowledged the challenge of losing a team leader but praised the group for rallying to secure a much-needed victory.
