Well that’s more like it.
No the Flames didn’t find the split, they didn’t tie the series up setting up a chance to do to Anaheim what they did to Vancouver in the first round, by returning 1-1 and wining both on hone ice. They did brush the sand out of their eyes and push back against the bullies from the beach, making a game of it and at least giving themselves the notion that they can compete with the Ducks in Calgary when the series resumes on Tuesday.
The final score was 3-0 with an empty netter, but the game was razor’s edge tight with five minutes to go and the Flames finally carrying the play.
OK C of Red it’s up to you.
The Flow
Hard to come up with a feel good story for the Flames after the first period. Despite getting blown out in the first game, they started the period on their heels and spent most of the 20 minutes firmly on their heels, a period where they looked more like an AHL game than a team that won their first round series against Vancouver. The Ducks get numerous scoring chances off the hop, with Ramo making Hartley looking like a genius. They finally get to Ramo when Beleskey scores to open the scoring for the second in two games. Later in the period the Flames kill off a late penalty, and that with some more inspired play from the Flames in the last five minutes gave the Flames something to build on through 20. I’m reaching here.
Hey the Flames arrived! It took them 4 periods but the Flames we’ve seen most of the season finally made an appearance in the second period, as they got back to their patience in their own zone, a better forecheck and less chaos in their own zone. The Flames actually out shot the Ducks in the period 12-9 and had at least a square off in scoring chances. Dominant? Not at all, but a good step forward if they’re going to push this series into 6 or 7 games. The Flames left the period on a powerplay setting up a minute twenty of powerplay time in the third period to push for the equalizer. Score remains 1-0 Anaheim.
The Ducks seemed pretty content to sit on the 1-0 lead in the third, chipping pucks out, chipping pucks in but not driving the play a whole lot. The Flames were only too happy to use that and push the play for most of the period, out shooting the Ducks 9-5 in the final frame. The Final shots were 34-30 Anaheim which says something given the shots were 20-9 for the Ducks after one. Wideman on a wrap around almost tied things up midway through the period, then later Russell was denied when Andersen just got part of his mitt on a riser to the top of the net. In the end a great goal by Lindholm puts things away, and the Ducks ice it with a late Nate Thompson empty netter. 3-0 final.
Three Stars
1.Fredrik Andersen: Turned aside 30 shots for his first career shut out, was solid coast to coast in the Ducks’ cage.
2.Ryan Getzlaf: Like his linemate Corey Perry, now has 6 points in this series, deadly again tonight with two assists.
3.Kari Ramoa: Gets Flame’s goaltending on the board in this series, turning in a solid performance in the Calgary cage. If not for his first period efforts this one would have been over.
Big Save
With the game scoreless and the Flames getting worked a two on one chance saw the puck on the blade of Ryan Getzlaf of all players, but his top corner shot was knocked down by Ramo’s glove hand, keeping the Flames tied at zilch.
The Goat
Calgary’s top four defensemen. They started the game too aggressive and got the team off on the wrong foot. Too many bad reads resulting in odd man rushes including the two on one that saw Belesky open the scoring. They have to lead things, not blow things up.
Mr. Clutch
Not sure I’ve ever had a guy named as both a goat and the clutch player, but I’ll make an exception. TJ Brodie finished the night with no points and a -2, but he was Calgary’s best player outside of Ramo. Was rushing the puck up the ice with a purpose and logged almost 28 minutes to lead the Flames.
Odds and Ends
Both Darren Haynes and Mark Spector had articles today pointing out the number of times the Flames have looked “cooked” this season only to come back and string together a bunch of games saving their season. As they both point out that streak is bound to end somewhere but given the beating the Flames took in game one, it was certainly interesting to see if they could turn the trick again tonight. The other saying I like is the one that suggests you’re never in trouble in a series until you lose a game on home ice. That will be sorted out Tuesday night. In the meantime I continue to remind myself that this is gravy, but I was really hoping the players weren’t thinking the same way. … After playing coy for the better part of two days Hartley finally unveiled the inevitable with Ferland scratched and Wolf getting his first NHL start. The other change other than Ramo in goal, was Raymond in for Shore. Thought Shore looked pretty decent in an indecent game one. … Hartley took a blender to his lines moving Bennett up with Monahan and Hudler, Gaudreau with Backlund and Jones. Stajan centered Colborne and Bennett for much of the game, and David Wolf could be seen on all of the lines at one point or another. In the end he had to reunite the top line when all three players seemed lost when not together. Last change in Calgary will really help, as the trio were amped up in Calgary with better match ups. … Hard to tell the difference between people wearing orange t-shirts and empty seats, but there sure seems to be a lot of no shows in the crowd in both games. Not selling out round two in Anaheim? That can’t be a good sign. .. Can Calgary hold serve and win two in a row in Calgary? Can they win one and avoid the sweep? My money is on the split sending the series to Anaheim 3-1 for the Ducks. What a great way to end a losing streak in Anaheim then to win give five and keep the series going. Why not, the season has been interesting from the start, may as well continue. … The Flames had the Stajan line rise up in the first round and save their bacon against Vancouver, they’ll need the same in this series. Backlund has been good from the get go but he hasn’t produced. He needs to find that gear in this series and help the team out. Tonight he looked confident with the puck but turned the puck over in his own zone too many times. … See you on Tuesday Calgary, this team believes in you, rev it up!
Next Up
The Flames return home to Calgary for home game #4 of the playoffs, how great is that? Game time 7.30pm Tuesday night on Sportsnet. Must win game, their first in these playoffs.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Joe Colborne
David Wolf – Matt Stajan – David Jones
Brandon Bollig – Josh Jooris – Mason Raymond
TJ Brodie – Deryk Engelland
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
David Schlemko – Kyle Wotherspoon
Kari Ramo
