A few weeks ago the Edmonton Oilers felt they turned their season around with a third-period comeback victory in Calgary. Tonight they almost pulled the trick again with a late late goal forcing overtime, but it was the Calgary flames who found the game-winner in overtime to gain some revenge and halt a losing streak of their own.
On The Line
A chance to get back into the win column for the flames after dropping a game last night to the avalanche at home. The flames had won two games in a row and look to get back on a Nother win streak.
The Flow
And very tentative first for the flames as their hosts took the play to them throughout the period. The Oilers out shoot out chance and out goal post the flames but exit the 20 minutes down a goal when Lee Stempniak scores on an odd man rush.
Calgary place much better in the second. As they carry the play with more frequency, generate more shots, and scoring chances. They do, however, get into penalty trouble as the Oilers continue to go to the PowerPlay. Some good goaltending by Berra helps them escape the second still up one to nothing.
The flames had good jump early in the third. Forcing the play and outshooting the Oilers while protecting their one goal lead. However they collapsed in their own zone and used shotblocking and Berra’s goaltending to attempt to cling to the lead. As expected the Oilers managed to tie the game and force overtime where Hudler scored to give the flames victory.
Three Stars
- Reto Berra: Great bounce back performance for the Swiss goaltender, comes within 11 seconds of his first national hockey league shut out.
- Taylor Hall : strong on the wall all night, scores the Oilers goal with the goalie pulled.
- jiri Hudler : overtime heroics for the Calgary Flames points leader..
Big Save
Berra proves again that he never gives up on a play. This time lifting his skate and bending his knee to get his pad in the way of an oiler rebound by Arcabella.
Big Hit
The most damaging hit of the night was a David Jones crunch on Jeff Petrie that had the Edmonton defenseman smash his head into the glass and leave the game. However for impact I like Smid knocking over Arcabella as the Edmonton Winger took the park to the net late in the period.
The Goat
Edmonton’s PowerPlay. The home team could have won this game going away if they could have managed anything with the man advantage.
Mr. Clutch
Lee Stempniak. Flames veteran’s scores in the first. And has two or three other great chances as well. Finding his form finally after recovering from a broken foot.
Odds and Ends
Is this the trip up from the farm where Paul Byron finally makes his mark and stays in the NHL? The diminutive winger didn’t look out of place again in Edmonton tonight nor does he look small in stature as he battles for pucks in the corner…. Loved the edge to Smid’s game against his former teammates tonight. He played with an edge all night and almost look giddy in playing a physical role and mixing it up after every whistle. He’s been a great addition to the flames, a player they direly needed…. Cassie Campbell was pushing for Mark Giordano to be included on the shortlist for the Canadian Olympic team after 40 minutes. I just can’t see him being in that group given his six week injury…. After almost a decade of backup goaltenders that could never win a game in Calgary it is sure interesting to me now have a tandem of European goaltenders that can both play well. It will be interesting to see which goaltender secures the number one rule by the end of the season. John Gillies may be the future goaltender in Calgary, but one of these two will carry the torch in the meantime….
Lines (To Start):
Cammalleri – Stajan – Stempniak
Bouma – Backlund – D. Jones
Baertschi – copborne – B. Jones
Byron – jones – mcgrattan
Russell – Brodie
Smid – Giordano
Butler – O’Brien
Berra
