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Flames snap 25-game losing streak in Anaheim

Anaheim Ducks v Calgary Flames - Game Four

CALGARY, AB - APRIL 19: Sean Monahan #23 (L) of the Calgary Flames celebrates with his teammates after socring against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on April 19, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

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It took over 13 years, but the Calgary Flames have finally won a regular season game in Anaheim.

Thanks to a 43-save shutout from Flames goalie Mike Smith, they were able to pick up a 2-0 win. They also collected two points at the Honda Center for the first time since Jan. 19, 2004.

If you include their playoff matchups, it was actually a 29-game losing streak (the Flames’ last win game in Apr. of 2006).

Finally, Calgary can move forward knowing the “curse” is behind them.

“We probably could have done this in the spring in Game 2 (of the first round, a 3-2 loss),” Mikael Backlund said, per NHL.com. “I thought we were the way better team then, but they got the lucky bounce. We were like ‘Oh, it’s the curse,’ but now it’s nice to finally break it.”

Smith was a big reason why Calgary was able to snap their skid. The Flames have had some inconsistent play between the pipes over the last few years, which is why they went out and got the veteran from Arizona during the off-season.

It’s still early, but Smith is already starting to pay off for Calgary.

“When you play a team that long and you’re not on the winning part of it, it gets old pretty fast,” Smith said, per the OC Register. “I know I’ve been on teams where it’s happened to me so I wanted to help this team get over that hump.”