If you’re lucky … really really lucky a tough rebuild will be broken up by nights like this. Nights where a struggling team, losers of six straight, including a heart ripper on Saturday night to Edmonton can find magic and an unexpected loss in Winnipeg in an extended shoot out.
Sure you’re going to get pounded by Dallas, out played by San Jose, you’ll endure road trips with two out of a possible six points, but mixed in there you get a 5-4 shoot out win with a first round pick scoring the game winner in a shoot out.
Embrace it!
On The Line
Lets face it the Flames essentially already missed the playoffs. However I’m not going to talk about draft position during the month of November, so instead I’m aiming for a health of the franchise angle. The Flames simply can’t become a mail it in team, it isn’t the way you develop young talent. Therefore the effort needs to stay high, and the results have to come time to time. Snapping a six game skid would be nice.
The Flow
A great start for Calgary as they nearly score on their first couple of shifts, the biggest chance coming to TJ Brodie who was stoned by Al Montoya. From there the Jets took over however, pushing the Flames hard with speed and a solid forecheck to force Calgary started Reto Berra to be brilliant in escaping the period scoreless.
The second more of the same with the Jets continuing to pepper Berra. The Flames were much better though at countering in this stanza and creating great chances themselves. The Flames get the first goal much to the dismay of the Winnipeg crowd when Mike Cammalleri converted a powerplay rebound. The Jets tied it when Berra kicked a rebound out through traffic and Frolik was Johnny on the Spot to pound it in. Late in the period the Flames go up again when a crazy bouncing TJ Brodie shot flips into the cage unseen by everyone.
The third was simply crazy. Would a thunk a 2-1 lead for Calgary would result in a 4-4 draw into overtime and then a deep shoot out but that’s just what we got. Calgary blows the lead, takes it again, blows it again, takes it again, and so on all the way to an exciting finish.
Three Stars
1.TJ Brodie : Mr. Everything for the Flames with a goal, an assist and leading the Flames with almost 29 minutes of ice time. Failed in a shoot out attempt though.
2.Dustin Byfuglien: The big mule was well a big mule in scoring once and adding an assist at his snarling best.
3.Mike Cammalleri: The UFA prize ticket continues to improve his contract size next season and the Flames return at the trade deadline with another two point effort including a goal.
Big Save
A lot of monster saves in this game for both goaltenders, making this a pretty challenging pick actually. But the eye popping save of the night occurred in the first period when Olli Jokinen passed the puck across to Setoguchi who had nothing but cage until Berra slid across and stoned him.
Big Hit
Matt Stajan stepped into and nearly destroyed young Jet Mark Scheifle who was avenged by a late hit by Clitsome.
The Goat
This won’t be popular but I’ll lean on Mikael Backlund for his double turnover in the second period that eventually lead to Winnipeg’s first goal. He has to get that puck out. I’m pulling for the guy, but if he wants to keep in the top nine he has to avoid unforced turnovers.
Mr. Clutch
Was that Sven Baertschi’s best game of the season? He only managed an assist in the contest, but he as just a horse down low on the forecheck, using surprising strength to hold off defenders and keep the play alive. Notice he took a good jar in the neutral zone to get the puck deep as well, something I’m sure Hartley has noticed. Great game and potentially a season turner?
Odds and Ends
The Flames mixed up their lines and defense duos again tonight, as they swapped their top four around giving Brodie scads of ice time. Strong game from Brodie, but I did notice he had a heck of a time on the wall in his own zone against bigger forwards (Winnipeg is huge). … Reto Berra faced almost 50 shots tonight, not often do you see a guy beaten 4 times but still coming away with a .915 save percentage. I thought he got better and better and better in the shoot out when he settled down. Flames number one? … Another example of Flames games being much more entertaining this season, thoroughly enjoyed this one from start to finish. …. Had to love the Colborne call to start the shoot out, the big beast has some serious reach, and pretty soft hands. Hopefully he develops into a shoot out specialist. … I’m not a fan of the shoot out but had to admit it’s exciting in a situation like that. My daughter, not the biggest hockey watcher (age 9) was on the edge of her seat hoping to see Monahan, needless to say she liked the finish. Maybe I’m wrong about them, but I like the ten minute three on three idea instead of a shoot out. … Thought Lance Bouma had a good game. He’s what Calgary needs on the fourth line; a guy that can play rough and tumble but actually has some hands.
Next Up
Flames return to Calgary to take the Jackets on; Wednesday night at 8pm on Sportsnet
Lines:
Cammalleri – Stajan – Stempniak
Galiardi – Backlund – Jones
Baertschi – Monahan – Hudler
Bouma – Colborne – McGrattan
Brodie – Wideman
Russell – Brodie
Smid – O’Brien
Berra
