ANAHEIM DUCKS beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 Wednesday night to sweep the first round playoff series.

If only the Anaheim Ducks could play the Calgary Flames all the time.

The Orange County team completed its four-game sweep in the first round Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday with an 3-1 win over the Flames and will advance to the second round against the winner of the Edmonton-San Jose series, which is tied at 2-2.

“It’s big. I think any time you can put a team behind you, you definitely want to take advantage of it,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. “You never want to give life. They’re a resilient bunch. They battled right to the end tonight and made us earn it, that’s for sure.”

Patrick Eaves and Nate Thompson have the Ducks a 2-0 first period lead, and Getzlaf put the cherry on top in the third period. John Gibson was strong in goal, getting 36 saves.

ANGELS CONTINUE THEIR TAILSPIN

Continuing to struggle at the plate, the Los Angeles Angels suffered their seventh loss in eight games Wednesday, losing 5-1 to the Houston Astros. The defeat dropped the Halos (7-9) into a tie for third place in the AL West Division.

Dallas Keuchel (3-0) dominated for the home team at Minute Maid Park, giving up eight hits and one run over seven innings. He was backed by Josh Reddick, who had three hits – a double, a triple and a home run – to pace the Astros (10-5).

J.C. Ramirez (2-2) did well in his second major league start, working 5.1 innings and striking out nine batters while yielding six hits and three earned runs. He walked one batter.

Three Angels – Mike Trout, Yunel Escobar and Danny Espinosa – had two hits, but the Halos continued to struggle with situational hitting. The Astros were 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position, but the Angels were 1-for-6. Albert Pujols and Martin Maldonado were a combined 0-for-7 with six men left on base.

On Thursday the Halos will send Matt Shoemaker (0-0) to the mound for another game in Houston.