Boston and Calgary delivered some infamous Flames games during the 2014/15 season.
Their first meeting in February was an instant classic, with the Flames erasing a three goal deficit before Brodie sealed the comeback, defying physics to bank the puck off Tuuka Rask, off the top of the net, and off Rask again with just seconds remaining in overtime.
A couple weeks later it was extra time theatrics again. This time, newly acquired David Schlemko engraving his name permanently in Flames vernacular with a filthy little shootout move in the 8th round that will forever be known as the Schlemko.
So with the Flames coming off an incredible comeback victory against the Conference leading Dallas Stars, fans are hopeful that the team has been reminded and rejuvenated with the magic of season’s past. Seems like the opportune time to welcome Chara and the Bruins back into the Saddle.
Of course that’s not the only storyline of interest headed into tonight. The news of the summer was the Flames acquisition of Dougie Hamilton from the Boston Bruins for a smattering of draft picks. Commentators were unanimous in anointing the Flames the victor of the trade, but a shaky start had people wondering if maybe the Bruins knew something about the young defenseman overlooked by those salivating over his skillset.
A plus six rating in his last 11 games have helped to stem many early season worries as the lanky Flame has begun to settle in nicely and refind his game with his new team. Another big test Friday night as all eyes would be glued to 27, seeing how he handled facing his old squad.
Hopefully those eyes deviated off Hamilton occasionally to catch the rest of the game, because they were treated to one of the most offensive games in recent memory. Goals, saves, and chances galore, as both teams accepted the track meet invitation. Hamilton would stand out for the wrong reasons with a last minute gaffe that looked like it would sink the Flames, but all it did was set up a fantastic finish and a chance for redemption.
Another classic that will enter the laurels of Calgary Flames history.
What a game.
On The Line
The Bruins have gotten off to a better than expected start, but still find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, in a congested Eastern Conference. The Flames experienced a nightmare beginning, but have shown glimpses of righting the ship, and would love to build off a miraculous victory that started their five game homestand. Game on!
The Flow
You can’t start much better. Just 3o seconds into the game a listless turnover by aging giant Zdeno Chara was picked up by David Jones, who diced into the middle drawing both defenders before finding Johnny Gaudreau all alone at net’s edge for the opener. The Bruins elected to start Jonas Gustavsson, who is having an excellent start to the season, but the Monster was the one feeling fear as the Flames run rampant over a hapless Bruins team. After some near close calls, including Hudler ringing the post, the Flames would strike again. As their second powerplay expired, a nifty zone entry by Bennett would start a sequence of crisp passes, eventually finding the stick of Giordano who sniped a shot under the arm of Gustavsson. The goal delighted Flames fans while seemingly giving Bruins head coach Claude Julien a nasty case of indigestion he broadcast with a gaping sneer. His belly fire seemed to ignite the Bruins though who would answer back with a goal soon after, Matt Beleskey tipping in a Chara wrister. Another dangerous rush immediately followed but Ramo managed to preserve the 2-1 lead which the Flames carried into the intermission.
There’s been a lot of discussion recently on how to help increase goal scoring in the NHL. Well the answer may very well have been present in Friday night’s game. The second began with an early flurry of goals less than a minute apart that deadlocked the score at threes. First it was Marchard sniping a wrister over the glove of Ramo. Then Gaudreau would score his second, patiently outwaiting a sliding Gustavsson before tucking the puck inside the post and chasing the Monster out of the game. Finally Chara would sneak a seeing eye wrister through a screen and inside the post. The goal scoring pace would have continued if not for some near misses and spectacular goaltending that followed. 21 scoring chances registered before the game’s midway point. The chances would continue but the pucks stayed out, as a thrilling second period ended with the score still knotted and both coaches now dealing with bouts of serious indigestion.
The third picked up right where the second left off, with great chances at both ends of the rink. The Flames looked to catch a huge break when Chara was sin binned for a questionable puck over glass penalty with just over 2 minutes remaining. But then Dougie Hamilton, who had been steadily quiet all game, was thrust back into the spotlight with a horrifying misplay that sprung Marchand on a clearcut breakaway… which Hamilton converted into a penalty shot with a hefty slash that dislodged his stick. Marchand would make no mistake sliding the puck cheekily through Ramo’s legs and stabbing a stake through the heart of the Flames and their fans. The team looked disjointed for the final 60 seconds despite carrying a 6 on 4 advantage. But a nice play by Gaudreau keeping the puck in with just seconds remaining saw the puck pinball toward the net before it found the stick of Hudler, who deposited the goal and ignited the Saddledome into a fury of pandemonium. A game this good just demanded overtime it seemed.
Overtime didn’t disapoint. Early on it was T.J. Brodie sprung for a spacious breakaway, but Rask was equal to the task with a patient stretch save. The teams would continue to trade chances until the Hockey Gods decided to intervene and deliver a storybook ending that would get any fiction writer fired for implausibility.
Dougie Hamilton sprung on a 2-on-1 and a chance for redemption. He waits for the trailer, who just so happens to be Johnny Gaudreau, accepting the pass and calmly depositing the puck between the legs of Rask, sealing the victory with his first career hattrick at home (2nd all time) amidst a cascasde of cheers and raining hats. What a finish, what a game. And you just get the feeling that the Flames are back. I’d drop my laptop like a red-hot comedian drops his microphone right here, but I should probably submit this piece first.
Three Stars
- Johnny Gaudreau: Wow, what a player. A performance for the ages. 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points, 5 shots, +2.
- Brad Marchand: Wow, what a night for the pesky Bruin. Unlucky to finish with just two goals.
- T. J. Brodie: Wow, what a defenceman. Finishes with a couple of assists, and unlucky not to deliver the GWG.
Big Save
The duo of Brad Marchand and Brett Connolly were dangerous all night. It looked like the save of the game would be in the first, when Ramo attempted a pokecheck on a streaking Connolly before robbing him with the toe and getting an arm on the rebound attempt off Marchard.
But the pair would reconnect in the second, Marchand slipping past Giordano and sliding the puck to Connolly for an empty net, but the outstretched Glove of Ramo said NO! Amazing save.
Big Hit
Ferland would connect with Colin Miller in the first through the neutral zone, and Giordano would follow that up with a heavy thump on Brad Marchand along the side boards. Those two combine for the hit of the game.
The Goat
Was very disappointed in Joe Colborne today. There were some obvious misplays, like the fall in the second that led to Marchand’s goal, but a mix of lazy, soft, disinterested, and unlucky plagued him all game. Very poor performance.
Mr. Clutch
Jiri Hudler. Can’t get more clutch than scoring the game tying goal with just a second remaining.
Odds and Ends
- That game had it all. End to end rushes. Physicality. Great goaltending. 74 shots… at least half being quality scoring chances. After a lacklustre start Calgarians have been treated to some quality hockey, even if the defense is still not performing to pre-season expectations. Just keep the wins coming.
- A steady performance for Dougie Hamilton tonight, until that unfortunate play at the point that almost led to ultimate Goat status. Kudos for him on rebounding to set up the overtime winner on a heads-up pass. I noticed a really smart play in the first, as he faced a Bruin’s 2-on-1 and played it perfectly, timing a slide toward the puck carrier that forced him into the corner and negated their opportunity.
- The Flames won both matchups last season against the B’s, but had lost the five previous, most in ugly fashion. That streak included the 9-0 drubbing in Boston from 2012, my most popular of game takes, as my professionalism degenerated along with every goal the Bruins scored.
- Something to keep in mind: No team has lost more games in the NHL this season than the Vancouver Canucks. Their 18 losses ties them with the Leafs, it’s just that 8 of those losses have come after regulation. The Coyotes got spanked again tonight for the third time in four days, losing all three by a combined 10 goals. And the Ducks continue to sputter, struggling to score goals and string wins together. The point? The Flames are far from out of it in this weak Pacific division. Continue to play well, and they’ll be back in the playoff picture sooner or later.
- Unfortunate to see David Jones leave injured after that early blocked shot. He’s become one of the best Flames out there this season. Couldn’t imagine saying that a couple of years ago. Hopefully the injury isn’t serious and we’ll see him back soon.
- Flames have now won six in a row at home. Bruins have points in eight straight versus the Flames.
Next Up
The Flames attempt to keep the home fires burning with a huge divisional matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Tuesday night at 7 pm MST on SNW.
Lines (To Start):
Gaudreau – Monahan – Jones
Bennett – Grandlund – Hudler
Raymond – Backlund – Frolik
Ferland – Stajan – Colborne
Wideman – Hamilton
Giordano – Brodie
Smid – Engelland
Ramo
