Andrei Kuzmenko netted three goals, while Nazem Kadri contributed a goal and two assists as the Calgary Flames held off Anaheim’s late push to secure a 6-3 win over the Ducks on Friday night.
Kuzmenko completed his second career hat trick with two goals in the last 5:38, answering Anaheim’s attempt to close the gap after Calgary’s 4-0 lead. Andrew Mangiapane and Connor Zary also found the net for the Flames, who clinched only their third win in 12 games. Dustin Wolf made 19 saves in goal.
“The first 40 minutes, we played well,” said Wolf, a California native who spent part of his childhood in nearby Tustin. “Then they scored a couple of nice goals, and I was just battling. Made a couple of saves when I needed to.”
Sam Colangelo marked his NHL debut with a goal for the Ducks early in the third period, followed by goals from Frank Vatrano and Olen Zellweger. However, Kuzmenko redirected Jonathan Huberdeau’s shot to maintain Calgary’s lead with 5:38 left in the game, securing a crucial power-play goal. He then added another goal less than three minutes later.
Reflecting on his second goal, Kuzmenko admitted uncertainty about the deflection but expressed joy at completing the hat trick. “A hat trick is a hat trick,” he said with a smile. “Winning is what matters most.”
The game marked the final appearance at Honda Center for longtime Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg, who announced his retirement earlier in the week after a 12-year NHL career. Silfverberg revealed post-game that he plans to continue playing for “a few more years” in his native Sweden.
John Gibson made 21 saves in goal for Anaheim in the team’s last home game of the sixth consecutive non-playoff season. The Ducks, who have struggled with consistency, managed only 12 home victories this season, second lowest in the league behind the San Jose Sharks with 11.
Mangiapane finished a great short-handed play to score his 14th goal in the first period. Kadri then made it 2-0 six minutes later with his 27th goal, while Kuzmenko added another in the second period, his 19th of the season.
The Ducks were down 4-0 when Colangelo easily tapped in his goal in the third period, taking advantage of a puck that slipped under Wolf. Colangelo, drafted by the Ducks in the second round in 2020, turned pro this month after his senior season at Western Michigan.
“It felt amazing,” said Colangelo, who had his parents and two close friends watching. “I kind of lost it for a moment there. Just tried to celebrate a bit with my teammates. They’ve been supportive. It was a fantastic feeling.”
Vatrano scored on a splendid pass from Zegras behind the Flames’ net, and Zellweger made it 4-3 shortly after with shot through traffic for his second career goal.
Silfverberg, 33, spent most of his 12-year NHL career with the Ducks, contributing as a two-way forward during their run of five consecutive Pacific Division titles from 2013-17. He overcame a serious leg injury two seasons ago to finish out his contract this year.
Silfverberg received a warm round of applause and a tribute video played during the first media timeout. Before the game, he was gifted a Rolex watch, a personalized table tennis table, and a gaming chair from various parts of the organization.
“It’s been quite a day with many emotions,” Silfverberg expressed. “We couldn’t quite come back in the game, but I’m grateful for what the team did for me and my family today. It’s been a wonderful day that my kids, my wife, and I will always remember.”
