Ducks blank Flames, 1-0, to end Calgary’s home win streak

Shawn Horcoff scored in the second period and John Gibson made 14 saves for his third shutout this season as the Ducks beat Calgary, 1-0, on Tuesday night, ending the Flames’ home winning streak at a franchise-record 11 games.

Tested only seven times over the first 40 minutes, Gibson was busiest in the third as the Flames finally were able to generate some pressure. However, Calgary could not solve the 22-year-old goalie and Sam Bennett, the Flames’ best player on the night, put a shot off the crossbar.

“Whenever you give up 14 shots, you take it,” Gibson said. “The team did well in front of me, and I made the saves when they needed me.”

The loss was the first on home ice since Oct. 30 for Calgary (17-17-2).

“It’s tough, but we’ve got to get ready for the next game,” Calgary Flames forward Michael Ferland said on Twitter about the home winning streak being snapped.

Anaheim (14-15-6) was opening up a three-game Western Canada road swing that continues Thursday in Edmonton. The Ducks scored at 12:36 of the second on an excellent shift by winger Rickard Rakell.

First, Rakell was stopped from in close on a sharp pad save by Karri Ramo after he was set up by Ryan Getzlaf.

After the rest of his line changed, Rakell remained on the ice and, with the puck behind the net, he set up Horcoff at the faceoff dot and he one-timed a high shot past Ramo.

It was the only goal allowed by Ramo, who finished with 20 saves and fell to 13-11-1. Ramo was starting his seventh game in a row and 22nd in the last 25.

Gibson improved to 6-4-2.

For 40 minutes, the Ducks carried the play. During one stretch between the last shot in the second period and the first shot of the third, Calgary went more than 13 minutes without forcing Gibson to make a save.

Only three Flames forwards ended up with shots on goal: Johnny Gaudreau (four), Micheal Ferland (one) and Bennett (one).

“Our neutral zone was really good tonight,” Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm said. “Just like the playoffs [last year], we wanted to neutralize their speed.”

It was the second meeting of the season between teams that squared off in the second round of the 2015 playoffs. They played a tight-checking and physical first period with both squads finishing their checks.

NOTES: Calgary made one lineup change, inserting Brandon Bollig for Mason Raymond. Bollig had been scratched the last seven games. … With Cam Fowler (sprained knee) placed on injured reserve, defenseman Shea Theodore was recalled from San Diego and made his NHL debut for Anaheim. He partnered with Clayton Stoner. … The Ducks improved to 10-0-1 when leading after two periods.