Logan Shaw sparks Canadiens against former team

Getting a goal against his former team was sweet for Montreal Canadiens forward Logan Shaw.

The right winger from Glace Bay, N.S. started a three-goal first period that led the Canadiens to a 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday afternoon. Montreal claimed Shaw on waivers from Anaheim on Jan. 15.

“That one felt pretty good,” said Shaw. “I have a lot of good friends over there.

“It was a big win for the team. It felt pretty good to come out on top. It was obviously a bonus to get a goal. I don’t get a lot of them so when I do they feel pretty good and that felt extra special.”

It was Shaw’s third of the season but his first as a Canadien. He has only 11 goals in 156 NHL games.

He was the only forward to score for Montreal. Jeff Petry had two and David Schlemko and Joe Morrow added the others.

The Canadiens (21-25-6) ended a three-game losing streak. They remain home to face Ottawa on Sunday.

It was also a special game for Antti Niemi, who got the start in goal ahead of Carey Price with Montreal playing afternoon games on consecutive days. The Ducks had a 45-29 edge in shots, but Niemi was solid in picking up a second win in a row after his last outing Jan. 19 in Washington.

“Easily one of the best for a long time,” Niemi said of his performance. “Playing with the lead, it was a lot of fun to play.”

The Canadiens had scored only one goal in their previous two games, but their power play came to life against the Ducks, producing three goals on seven chances. It was the reverse of Oct. 20, when the Canadiens had 51 shots in Anaheim but lost 6-2.

Ducks centre Ryan Getzlaf wasn’t happy with the penalty calling from Dave Jackson and Steve Kozeri.

“They started calling penalties, that’s the momentum change of the game,” said Getzlaf.