Game Skinny
Tonight the Stars from Broadway, or the Rangers I guess, came to town but it was the Flames goaltender who put on a show.
Karri Ramo stopped 18 shots in the first period, a couple of them jaw dropping, and the Flames would jump out to a 2-0 lead after the first period. A 3 minute span in the second period would undue all of their hard work as the Rangers would score 3 goals. The Flames were having issues dealing with a bigger Rangers team and the none of the bounces were going their way and just when all seemed lost it was the Flames goalie who sparked some life back into the team with a huge cross crease save on Anton Stralman. A couple minutes later the Flames would get the tying goal from Kevin Westgarth and just before the period wound down Mike Cammalleri would get a squeeker past Lundqvist and that would be all the Flames would need as Karri Ramo would shut the door in the third for a 4-3 win over the Rangers
Difference Makers
Karri Ramo had perhaps his best game in a Flames uniform. The Flames goalkeeper made several unbelievable saves to keep his team in the game despite being heavily out shot. Ramo finished the night with 38 saves on 41 shots.
Once again the Flames top defensive pairing of Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie were outstanding. Giordano had a laser beam of a shot get past Lundquvist and have a number of other opportunities. Brodie finished the night with 2 assists and lead all players for ice time with 27 minutes!
Mike Cammalleri just keeps racking up the points since the trade deadline. The diminutive Flames forward had another 2 point night including the game winning goal.
Development Diary
Tyler Wortherspoon had a tough night. He flubbed a clearing attempt which allowed the Rangers to keep the pressure on in the Flames zone, which ended when a Raphael Diaz shot bounced off a few bodies, then off Wortherspoon himself, and into the Flames net. Wortherspoon seemed to have some troubles handling the bigger Ranger forwards, which is to be expected from someone who is only 20 and in their first pro season and quite frankly he was not the only one who had this issue.
Joe Colborne had himself another very solid game. Colbourne scored a goal by planting his massive frame in front of the Rangers crease which is nice to see from the big man.
Lance Bouma once again did all the little things that win you hockey games. He had a couple opportunities that he couldn’t capitalize on but skated hard, finished his checks, and played great defense. Bob Hartley thought enough of his game tonight to put him out there with a minute left in a 1 goal game.
Draft Implications / Scoreboard
The Oilers got a OT win against the Ducks 4-3 and the Senator’s got a 5-3 win as they try to pull themselves out of a tailspin.
With the Flames win they sit in 26th spot 3 points up on the Islanders and 4 points back of the Hurricanes.
Ramblings
This team is an absolute treat to watch. A year ago a game like tonight’s would have ended differently without a doubt. The Flames weren’t getting any bounces for the longest time, then the Rangers scored 3 quick goals in the second. Everything was seemingly going against the Flames and past versions of this team probably would have chalked this one up to “This is just not our night.” and play the game out. This years Flames team, once they let in those 3 goals, you just knew they were going to fight a claw their way back into it. They seem to subscribe to the “you make you own luck” mantra and it is a lot of fun to watch… Brian Burke is right when he says the Flames need to get bigger. It’s great that the Flames were able to beat the Rangers but the bigger Rangers team were giving a bunch of Flames players fits all night. The Rangers were able to impose their will for most of the game simply because they are a bigger team. Obviously part of the problem is the Flames are so young. For instance poor Kenny Agostino was getting man handled by the bigger Ranger players and it showed in his 6 minutes of ice time… Anyone else enjoy watching Martin St. Louis take a dumb penalty late in the 3rd to ice it for the Flames? The guy has been absolutely brutal since being traded and for some reason I’m enjoying that… Chris Butler had a really good game tonight. His kick pass on Cammalleri’s game winner was fantastic. He also used some fancy footwork (no not the Chromeo song) and some nice hands to hold the blueline a number of times tonight while playing over 20 minutes…
Roster Moves
The only roster move tonight for the Flames was Kenny Agostino taking T.J. Galiardi’s spot in the line-up.
Where Do They Go From Here?
The Flames start a 5 game eastern swing Sunday against the Ottawa Senators. 3PM start time. The game can be seen on Sportsnet.
