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Cammalleri, Giordano ignite Flames in win over Ducks

Dec 24, 2008 - 6:42 AM CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- A third-period surge enabled the Calgary Flames to end a drought at home.

Michael Cammalleri and Mark Giordano each recorded a goal and an assist to help the Flames avoid their first four-game losing streak at home in over six years with a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

David Moss also tallied and rookie Brett Sutter netted his first career goal in his NHL debut for the Flames, who had been 0-1-2 in their last three contests at the Pengrowth Saddledome - on the verge of their worst stretch there since November 14-21, 2002.

"You know I can't (describe a better debut)," said Sutter, a native of Viking, Alberta. "We got the win, I got a goal and in the hometown. Words can't really describe it, it just feels good right now."

Captain Jarome Iginla and Craig Conroy each had two assists in support of Miikka Kiprusoff, who turned aside 30 shots.

"I don't think we have an issue being physical with any team, we can engage in any style pretty much," Flames coach Mike Keenan said. "We have the personnel that can play that style of game. It's a tough situation for them, coming in (off back-to-back games)."

Brendan Morrison scored twice and Ryan Getzlaf added another, but the Ducks fell for the third time in four contests.

Trailing, 2-1, early the final period, Calgary scored three unanswered goals en route to its third win in four contests.

"It's disappointing when we have the lead to let them come back like that and take over the game," Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer said. "We have two days to regroup.

"We're used to back-to-back games. You do quite a bit of it during the season, so it's not an excuse. It was just mental breakdowns more than physical tiredness. It's just disappointing."

Recalled on Monday from Quad City of the American Hockey League, Sutter - the son of Flames general manager Darryl Sutter - was a sixth-round pick in 2005, and recorded one goal and six assists in 28 games in the minors this season.

He surely made his presence felt in the NHL right away, tying the game at 2-2 just 14 seconds after Getzlaf gave the Ducks a one-goal lead 3:45 into the third.

"It was a timely goal for us because they had a little momentum going at that point in the game and we were able to grab it back," Keenan said. "It was a huge goal in the momentum swing and to get the crowd support back into it. A very timely goal for us."

Conroy set up the tally and was especially happy for his young teammate's accomplishment.

"You're never going to forget your first goal, and I'm glad to be a part of his first," Conroy said. "It's always fun to have your hand in there. It wasn't a great pass, but as the years go on I'll just say I slid it over to him and he just tapped it in.

"He was making plays, he was keeping it simple, throwing it at the net. You don't want to do too much but he's going to get more and more confidence as he goes. But I thought he played a great game."

Giordano converted passes from Iginla and Cammalleri to hand the Flames a lead they would not relinquish with 8:11 remaining.

Cammalleri then increased the advantage to 4-2 just 2 1/2 minutes later with his 12th goal of the season while sitting on the doorstep.

Morrison's shot from the right faceoff circle cut Anaheim's deficit, but Kiprusoff stymied the Ducks the rest of the way to secure the triumph.

"Tonight we didn't (play defense), we got two but gave up three so ultimately you can point at our line and say we weren't responsible defensively," Morrison said.

Moss opened the scoring midway through the second, but Morrison struck for the first time to forge a tie with 2:32 left in the session.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 28 saves for the Ducks, who dropped to 1-1-0 on their current five-game road trip.

"Penalties have been a concern for us throughout the year, but as of late we've been better," Giguere said. "That makes it easier to win. But we have to be good on the penalty kill and the power play, it always comes down to that. They got a big goal at the end on the power play, that's how you're going to win in this league."