Last season the Flames were out shot most games, blocked a tonne of shots, countered well and won their fair share of games.
So it’s somewhat fitting that of late the Flames are out shooting and out chancing opponents, while getting a lot of shots blocked and finding a way to lose their fair share of games. Tonight the Avs block 26 shots and the Flames find a way to lose a 6-3 game in Denver, ending their one game win streak despite playing very well in the Mile High City.
The Flow
The Flames had, well a good first shift before David Jones came over the boards at the 37 second mark, hauled down an ex-teammate and gave the home side a quick powerplay. The Avs set things up and cause terror in the Flames zone creating 5 shots on goal but Ramo holds strong and the game remains scoreless. Out of the box it’s all Calgary five on five for the next 10 or so minutes. The Avs take a page from the Flames book and block everything while Calgary controls the cycle and takes it to their hosts. The Avs right the ship for the final four or five minutes and then go ahead with 20 seconds to go when Wideman loses the puck in his skates and Matt Duchene jumps on the turn over and puts the home team up one.
Flames sharp again to start the second and they are rewarded when TJ Brodie turns an Avalanche press into an outlet chip and a Johnny Gaudreau tying goal on a two on one with David Jones. Game tied 1-1 minutes into the second. Calgary gets a powerplay on a delay of game penalty leading to a Brodie to Bennett chance that goes in but at the same moment that the puck comes off the moorings as Bennett drove the net. After a lengthy review the goal was disallowed. In? Honestly can’t say I saw review that says it was. The Avs after spending a good deal of time in their own zone have back to back shifts of pressure and are rewarded when a Barrie shot is deflected by Iginla to put Denver up again. Calgary gets a great chance back right after where Gaudreau puts the puck to the net, Bennett jams it in and again … review and again no goal Sam Bennett. Tough period for Calgary and Bennett on reviews. Calgary gets a late powerplay which should be good news but the top line turns the puck over twice and boom shorthanded goal and the Flames are down 3-1. Ironically the Flames get a late chance and Sam Bennett, he of two disallowed goals scores late to make the third period way more interesting.
Not a great start in the third period as the Flames inexplicably take a too many men penalty with the puck deep in their own zone. One player heads off and two jump on and they don’t notice each other? Come on. The Flames do go on to dominate five on five again, with both Gaudreau and Bennett taking chances standing out. Bennett manages to knock the puck on to the top of the net with his forearm, a play that would have been his third review had it gone in the net. Says a lot about his willingness to got to the net. Soon after the Flames tie the game up when Monahan takes the line, feeds the puck back to Giordano who had his shot tipped in by Hudler and it’s a whole new game. However, just when that mountain felt climbed a late Nathan McKinnon goal on a great feed from Iginla puts the Flames back down again. Raymond takes a penalty and Duchene scores his second of the night and that’s that.
Three Stars
1.Jarome Iginla : Finally scores against his former teammates, scoring the third goal and then the 6th into an empty net plus adding an assist to pace the way for the Denver squad.
2.Matt Duchene : Has had trouble finding his range this season, but scored twice on this night to slump bust his early season.
3.Sam Bennett : A goal, an assist, two disallowed goals and yet another game where the rookie shows he’s ready to take the reigns in making a difference. Such a good sign.
Big Save
Kari Ramo had to be sharp when he slid across and snared a Jarome Iginla one timer early in the first period on an Av’s powerplay. Given the goals against and focus on Flame goaltending it was a big save to get his legs underneath him.
The Goat
Dennis Wideman. A painful -4 when his defense partner was only -1 including a brutal puck lost in his skates cough up in the first that led to the Avalanche’s first goal from Duchene. The Flames defense as a whole has to be better, and Wideman and Russell lead that “must”.
Mr. Clutch
I mentioned the Flames lost 6-3 right? Well TJ Brodie was still +3 in this game. Plus 3! How do you go +3 in a game when you lose by 3 and score only 3? And he added an assist. Calgary’s best player just keeps on getting better.
Odds and Ends
Johnny Gaudreau is an amazing hockey player but he has to mix it up a bit and shoot the puck. Ironically an ex-Flame on the other side Alex Tanguay had the same issue. That attempt with 5 minutes to go in the first had shot written all over it, but he faked took it behind the net and then nothing came of it. He’s skilled but sometimes you have to take the easy play. … The key to this team is sorting out Backlund and Monahan, as neither have had a good start to the season. Stajan is Stajan and Bennett is coming on, but the other two have yet to find their stride. … Patrick Roy is packing quite a salt and pepper do, and take it from a guy that is follicley challenged that says something. The one thing I can’t get my head around though is why he blinks 300 times a minute. Dry eyes? Needs glasses? … Sam Bennett came in with four points in his last three games and then added a goal and an assist tonight to make it 6 in 4. To think the kid could have had a 2nd period hat trick with disallowed goals and you have to think this 19 year old has come alive. Thank God too, as Bennett’s play has had a lot to do with giving Calgary a more balanced top six, especially given the struggles of the other centers. When Monahan gets untracked things could really turn quickly. So if you want a silver lining in what has been a very bizarre start to a season its the emergence of the kid. Fun to watch … Have a feeling if I rewind back this game I wouldn’t be able to find 30 Avalanche shots through two periods, just a guess. … Another goaltending head scratcher for the Flames tonight. The shot clock says Ramo played well, and he certainly made some good saves, but 5 goals against, another 4+ game and an individual game save percentage of .878. Not good enough.
Next Up
This two game mini trip is over, the Flames return to Calgary to take on the Flyers on Thursday night, game time 7pm, Sportsnet.
Lines:
Joe Colborne – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Johnny Gaudreau – Sam Bennett – David Jones
Josh Jooris – Matt Stajan – Michael Frolik
Brandon Bollig – Mikael Backlund – Mason Raynmond
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Derryk Engellend – Dougie Hamilton
Kari Ramo
