Gibson backstops Ducks to sweep of Flames

 Goaltender John Gibson bounced back from a subpar performance as the Anaheim Ducks became the first team to reach the second round of the NHL playoffs with a four-game sweep of the Calgary Flames.

Gibson made 36 saves as the Ducks scored two goals early then held on for a 3-1 win at the Saddledome arena to eliminate the Flames from the Western Conference playoffs.

Gibson redeemed himself after being pulled during the second period of Anaheim's come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Flames in overtime two nights earlier. Patrick Eaves, Nate Thompson and Ryan Getzlaf scored for the Ducks on Wednesday.

The Ducks next play the winner of the series between the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, who are deadlocked at 2-2.

Sean Monahan scored for Calgary.

The Flames have lost seven straight games to Anaheim and 15 of 16 dating back to the second round of the 2015 playoffs, when the Ducks knocked off the Flames in five games.

Brian Elliott started in net for the Flames, but was yanked after giving up a soft goal to Eaves at 5:38 of the first period. Chad Johnson replaced him and stopped 20 of the 21 shots.

Getzlaf scored his third goal of the series into an empty net with six seconds remaining in regulation.

source: AFP