The motto in Flames land this fall has been hard work, and ability to get back up when you knock them down. Effort with a capital “E” every night, a scrappy team that just won’t quit.
We saw a lot of that honestly, in the club’s season starting 5-4 shoot out loss in Washington, but we also saw why this may be a very long season in the Stampede City, as the club blew 3-0 and 4-1 leads in what would have to be a disappointing way to earn a surprising point.
On The Line
What can you say in this space this season? Many of us have had the Flames out of the playoffs in each of the last couple of seasons but we haven’t faced a season like this in quite some time. They have little chance of making the playoffs, and it’s way too early to start talking draft position. So on the line? Entertainment. Show up, and bring energy every night.
The Flow
About as good a start as anyone could have hoped for with the Flames coming out showing speed, exuberance, and excellent team play in forging a 3-0 first period lead on goals by David Jones, Lee Stempniak and Jiri Hudler. They finished checks, backchecked like demons, and blocked all the passing lanes. Great first period of the season.
The second period featured the expected push back by the home side with the skilled Caps coming in waves and new stopper Kari Ramo getting his first real NHL test in 5 years. The Caps scored to make it 3-1 when rookie Carrick scored coming out of the penalty box. At this point one could see what was likely to happen. But wait, not so fast … a bounce back goal from Lance Bouma extends the Flames dominance into the middle part of the period. Or did it? Two second half goals by Alex Ovechkin made it a much closer game going to the third.
The Flames settled down a bit in the third period, having more of the play and a little less cling to the lead, at least through the first half of the stanza. But the inevitable finally happened with the Caps forcing overtime.
Overtime is surprisingly all Calgary. Seriously! The late tying goal doesn’t seem to phase them as they go to work on the Caps using quick passing and transition to dominate. Nothing gets settled however so the Caps using their much more talented line find the winner in the skills competition.
Three Stars
1. Alex Ovechkin: The Cap’s gregarious leader continued to torrid start to his season with two goals and an assist to pace the way. A two goal night is a feat on any night, but the timing of these markers really made the difference.
2. Mark Giordano: In his first game as the new Flame’s captain, Giordano had two assists and four shots on goal. Did end up -2 but we’ll over look his blemishes on night one.
3. Marcus Johansson: Played to foil to captain Alex, picking up three assists for the home side.
Big Save
Not a great night for goaltenders, but Kari Ramo was big squeezing the pads on a Alex Ovechkin chance early in the second period that kept the game 3-0. The puck went through his pads but skidded just wide of the post staying out of the net.
Big Hit
Just after the Caps got on the board, and it appeared the home side had restored momentum when a John Erskine thunderous hit on Ben Street actually went the other way with McGrattan setting up Lance Bouma in the slot for Bouma’s first of the season.
The Goat
The Caps for taking a young and weaker roster for granted to start the game. The plucky Flames were full marks for coming out hard and getting things done, but the hosts fell victim to home opener jitters and almost paid for it.
Mr. Clutch
David Jones. I like the guy. He takes the puck wide and hard on almost every chance, and isn’t a fun player to play against. Great snipe in the first period to put his team up a goal early.
Odds and Ends
It may not be the prettiest first NHL point of all time, but Sean Monahan wastes little time in getting on the score board, picking up a first period forearm assist on David Jones first goal with the Flames. Hopefully the first of many for both players. … Have to give Bob Hartley credit for the team’s systems to start the season. The gave the Caps fits in the first period in all three zones. Granted the Caps clearly took the Flames lightly, but the Flames took full advantage. … Speaking of advantages, the Flames really don’t have one with the man advantage this season if one game is any indication. Sure they scored in the first, but their puck movement in the second and third was atrocious up a man. … Interesting to see Lance Bouma pick up a goal, get in a fight and end up +2 in a game where he only found himself on the ice a total of 6 minutes. … The Flames do have that wolfpack feel to them, at least in this game. They didn’t quit even after blowing a lead and were full marks for the point they earned. The most important thing to me is that they were entertaining. … Sean Monahan watch; one assist, even, two shots, a hit, and 44% in the face off circle. Verdict? Solid but he’ll need to do more to stay. … Sven Baertschi’s response to the Burke blasting? No points, two shots and even, but had some pretty good dishes. … Loved Russell’s game tonight, that kid has game. … Can’t blame Ramo for three of the four goals in regulation in my mind.
Next Up
The Flames get right back at it tomorrow night when they fly to Columbus to play the Blue Jackets, game time 5.30 pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Glencross – Stajan – Stempniak
Baertchi – Monahan – Jones
Bouma – Street – McGrattan
Galliardi – Backlund – Hudler
Giordano – B
rodie
Russell – Wideman
Butler – O’Brien
Ramo
