When you’ve lost 9 of your first 13 games the math just doesn’t look great when you project out over a full season and what you need to accomplish. But that’s the macro look to a season, and micro results can go a long way to at least inject some hope into things, and that’s exactly what the Flames managed at the Saddledome this week against Pennsylvania opponents.
An overtime win over the Flyers had the result though it lacked in flash and dazzle, however the Flames made up for it on Saturday night when their top two lines came alive, pacing them to a complete game 5-2 victory over the Penguins.
The win gives the team a 5-9-1 record and at least a little belief as they head out on a 4 game road trip.
The Flow
There are good starts, and then there are good starts. The Flames posted likely their best period of the season in consistently taking it to Pittsburgh for the full 20 minutes. The Flames opened the scoring when Sam Bennett manauvered around in the slot before finding a streaking Joe Colborne off a line change who made no mistake putting the puck past Fleury. The Flames converted on their third powerplay chance of the period when Backlund’s pass to Monahan beside the net was quickly dashed across the crease to Gaudreau who had a tap in to make it 2-1. Minutes later Sam Bennett brought the crowd out of their seats when he carved the Pen’s defense a la Johnny Gaudreau to make it 3-1 after 20 minutes.
The game had that spooky feeling heading to two, that two goal lead, a great first and that expected slow down from the leaders as they sit on the lead. Instead the Flames forced the play from the drop of the puck in the second and really didn’t give the Penguins much. Calgary goes ahead by three when they find their way into another highlight reel goal. A Dougie Hamilton point shot is corralled by Gaudreau but the puck bounces up in the air. Gaudreau bats it forward to Monahan who bats it out of the air himself and into the cage, 4-1 Flames.
With a 4-2 lead and the Penguins pushing in the third, Kari Ramo kept his second straight sound start in order by holding off the Penguins on a mid period powerplay, and from there it seemed somewhat academic as the Flames cruise to a 5-2, Gaudreau adding an empty net goal with two minutes to play.
Three Stars
1.Sam Bennett : Both Gaudreau and Backlund had more points, but the flare and the timing of Bennett’s goal and assist in the first period were so crucial to the win.
2.Mikael Backlund : Picks up another three assists giving him 5 points in the two game homestand to really, really bash his way out of the dog house.
3.Johnny Gaudreau : Two goals and an assist (both goals empty netters if we’re being honest) as the Flames point producer just keeps on producing.
Big Save
With the game at 4-2 Calgary in the third a Matt Cullen pass attempt cross crease hits off a skate and head directly to the short side corner only to have Ramo slid across in the splits and push the puck away. That goes in and its likely a fire drill in the Flames zone for the final 7 minutes.
The Goat
Both Sydney Crosby and Kris Letang were an ugly -4 on Hockey Night in Canada with the whole nation watching. Crosby was particularly suspect on Colborne’s goal as he let Bennett shake him and set the first goal of the game up.
Mr. Clutch
Kris Russell appears to be back. Some time with TJ Brodie seemed to right the ship and since that pairing in Edmonton Russell has been back to his warrior ways blocking shots and logging tough minutes for the Flames. Tonight he was +3 for the Flames in 25 minutes of Pens star covering action.
Odds and Ends
Have the Flames finally found that top six mix that creates two scoring lines? Looks like it, for a night at least. The old top line seemed to find their mojo on the night after getting reunited in the third period against the Flyers, and may have awakened Sean Monahan who had a goal and an assist on the night. The second unit with Backlund, Bennett and Michael Frolik were very dangerous, especially in the first period. On Thursday Hartley broke up the young elite forward line by sending Bennett all the way to the fourth line, but he was back in a prominent role by game time Saturday. … Bennett’s two points now give him 8 in the last 6 games as he continues to serve notice that he should be in the Calder race with or without Connor McDavid in action. Bennett now has 9 points, and is tied with Ehlers, three points back of the lead for rookie scorers, but is any other rookie as hot right now? Don’t think so. … Bennett’s linemate Mikael Backlund had a run of being in on all 5 Flame’s goals on this homestand until Monahan scored in the second period. Just like that Backlund now sits 6th in team scoring with 6 points on the season, really giving Calgary a second line that can contribute. … The hottest of Flames Johnny Gaudreau now has 17 points in 15 games on the season good for 4th in the league, behind his wizardry doppelganger in Patrick Kane. Gaudreau is 6 full points ahead of any other player in Flame’s silks. … Huge brawl in the crowd during the Penguins powerplay during the third period last night. Didn’t see a Pens jersey in the mix anywhere so anyone’s guess as to what went down but three or four people were dragged out including an irate woman that was only too happy to punch men in the face. Crazy scene. Distracting!
Next Up
The Flames sweep a two game homestand, and now have momentum for the first time on the season as they head out for a four game road trip with stops in Florida (2), Washington and Chicago. Game one goes against the Panthers, Tuesday night 5.30pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund- Michael Frolik
Joe Colborne – Matt Stajan – David Jones
Mason Raymond – Derek Grant – Josh Jooris
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Derryk Engellend – Dennis Wideman
Kari Ramo
