After four consecutive overtime games, Corey Perry took matters into his own hands to end the game in regulation on Sunday for the Anaheim Ducks, who beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 in the second game of an eight-game road trip for the Ducks. The reigning NHL Most Valuable Player Perry had three goals on Sunday, his second hat trick of the season and fifth of his career.
Perry opened the scoring 46 seconds into the game, then added another goal to put the Ducks up 2-0 at 16:15 of the first period. Anaheim (22-24-9) was up 2-1 after one period and outshot the Blue Jackets 14-9, then opened the second period with three straight goals, by Jason Blake, Bobby Ryan, and Perry.
Perry now has 26 goals on the season, two shy of his total after 55 games last season. Perry scored 22 goals over his last 25 games last year to win league MVP.
Ryan had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, and Ryan Getzlaf had two assists in the win. Jonas Hiller saved 24 of 27 shots for Anaheim, who finished their season 2-1-1 against Columbus (16-34-6).
The Ducks are 12-2-3 in their last 17 games. They continue their road trip on Tuesday night in Minnesota.
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