Mustard versus Ketchup. The great debate has raged on for epochs. Well Tuesday night the battle was played out, at the Bridgestone arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
And before you condemn(ment) me on my poor taste, please understand I relish any opportunity to make groan-worthy jokes, the corn(dog)ier the better.
The bigger joke of the night certainly was the Calgary Flames in their opening period of a terrifying four game road trip against some formidable foes. The Flames have been unbeatable at home as of late, but unbearable to watch on the road. And following one profoundly pathetic period, and an equally disgusting five on three, it seemed like watching actual ketchup might be preferable.
But the Flames have seemed to re-found the resiliency that defined them last season. And once they managed the equalizer they became a completely different team than the first-period one that stained the ice. A solid third frame would set the game up for another three-on-three contest.
If you’re unsure what happened after that, you haven’t been watching Johnny Gaudreau and the Calgary Flames this season. Just treat yourself to a hotdog loaded in ketchup, sit back and enjoy the show.
On The Line
The Flames had won nine in a row at home, but have lost their last four games away from the Saddledome. If they could find away to sneak that home game play into their carry-on luggage, they could soon find themselves in a playoff position. Unthinkable, just two weeks ago.
The Flow
The bottle of ketchup metaphor actually serves well when comparing it to the Flames start on Tuesday. You know? The old glass bottles that you tip over fries… and wait… and wait… and start to shake… and wait… and smack the side… and nothing. About an ugly a start as you could envision. A bevy of Brodie giveaways finally caught up to him as Cody Hodgson was sprung on a breakaway turned penalty shot when Brodie chased him down with a slash. He would make no mistake, snapping the puck below the glove of Karri Ramo. Gaudreau was the only Flame skater to show up in the frame, as an epic shift of puck possession would create some energy and draw a powerplay that carried into the second period.
If you were upset over the sluggishness of the first, you were downright apoplectic by midway through the second. After another embarrassing powerplay effort the Flames were gifted a full two-minute two-man advantage. But in predictable fashion it was puttered away, with slow perimeter passing and a lack of movement that would impress a tortoise. The only real chance came (unsurprisingly) from a play by Gaudreau who feathered a sauce cross-crease to Bennett. His shot would be denied by the pad of Rinne by mere millimeters, prompting a review reminiscent of last season’s game 3 versus the Ducks. The final ruling was also familiar, deemed inconclusive and thus no goal. The delay was enough to at least wake up the Flames, who returned to the ice with some jump. And it was Brodie who would make up for his former foibles by jumping in from his point, to accept a nice centering pass and rip the puck over Rinne to square the game at ones.
The third was a much stronger period for the Flames. The teams would seesaw chances in the early going, before the Flames took over puck possession and play, narrowing the shot total dramatically. A late crosscheck by Shea Weber on Sam Bennett with only 2:20 remaining was exciting, not for the prospect the Flames might score on the late powerplay, but the hope it would safely kill the rest of regulation and get the game to overtime where the Flames are simply dominant. But the relief was premature as a late turnover delivered the most dangerous chance of the powerplay to the Predators. An excellent pokecheck by Ramo would send the game to overtime.
The Predators broadcast would feature a video warning of Gaudreau’s extra time abilities, simple foreshadowing of what everybody knew was to come. The league leader in overtime points didn’t disappoint. Gaudreau would rush up on a two-on-one, drawing Weber over before saucering the puck perfectly to Kris Russell, who made no mistake chipping the puck over a lunging Rinne.
Take that Mustard!
Three Stars
- Johnny Gaudreau: Just too good. Once again it’s impossible not to anoint him first star.
- Kris Russell: Points on both goals, including the overtime winner. He’s gotten some flack this season, rightfully so, but has looked steady since returning to the lineup.
- Seth Jones: Impressed from what I saw from the young defenseman.
Big Save
Early in the third Seth Jones would dangerously cut through the low slot with the puck, drawing a slash from Backlund that left him unfazed and poised to dangle the puck around Ramo and in. But a quick toe from Ramo would steal the puck off his stick and keep the game deadlocked.
Big Hit
Mostly for it’s timing, Shea Weber’s cross check on Bennett would ease the nerves of Flames fans, giving Calgary an easier chance to run out the clock and get the game to overtime.
The Goat
Brodie deserved goat status for his first period. A terrible beginning which handed the Predators their lead. What was he doing out there?
He atoned in a big way with the tying goal and looking like his usual dominant self. The first period was the only reason he didn’t end up a star of the game.
So goatness negated. Greatness confirmed.
Mr. Clutch
Karri Ramo. Another guy who maybe deserved Star status. His performance was extra clutch considering he was returning from a bad bout of the flu. An active stick late was huge in eliminating several dangerous plays.
Odds and Ends
- Sam Bennett was a concern for Flames fans headed in, having left last game momentarily in what appeared immense pain, and then missing yesterday’s practice. He responded with attempted easement, stating he was 100%, but does anybody believe him considering how he handled his shoulder injury that eventually required surgery? He looked good on the night though, tallying an assist and registering three shots in over 14 minutes of ice time. Phew!
- Shots were 8-0 midway through the first as it looked like it would be a long night for Flames fans. Shot attempts were 30 to 8 at the end of the first, in favour of Nashville, 12-5 on the shotclock. Flames would outshoot the Preds the rest of the way as they began to turn the tide. 22-21 Nashville in the end.
- Flames won all three contests against the Predators last season. It’s been a nice turn around from years gone by when the Predators always used to dominate the Flames. Calgary will play them twice more this season, both times as host.
- Six wins in a row now for the red hot Flames. Was also nice to see Edmonton’s six game win streak snapped at the hands of the Rangers. Throw in the Canucks blowout loss to the Wild, and now the Flames are tied for third place in the Pacific! Go Flames Go!
Next Up
Calgary continues the road trip with a stop in Dallas to take on the league leading Stars. Puckdrop 6:30 MST on Sportsnet.
Lines (To Start):
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – David Jones
Sam Bennett – Marcus Granlund – Jiri Hudler
Mason Raymond – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Michael Ferland – Matt Stajan – Joe Colborne
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Deryk Engelland – Dennis Wideman
Karri Ramo
