If a game is played in Raleigh, North Carolina, and no one is around to watch it, does it even count?
Spectators were sparse at the PNC arena Sunday as the Calgary Flames rolled into town to take on the hometown Hurricanes. A winter storm had blasted the Eastern coast this week. Combine that with a couple of highly anticipated NFL games overlapping the contest, including round 17 of Brady vs Manning, and the home-state Carolina Panthers hosting a chance to return to the Superbowl, it was no surprise the empty seats outnumbered the patrons for the franchise that sits last in the NHL for attendance this year.
For the Flames fans that decided to tune in and cheer on their team they most assuredly did make a sound, and it likely sounded something like blugghh. Whether it came in the form of a disgruntled curse, a heavy sigh, or muffled wretch, it wasn’t going to be mistaken for a happy utterance. Another disappointing loss in an increasingly disappointing season. At least there weren’t too many on hand to witness.
On The Line
The Pacific division has started to accelerate its points percentage. If the Flames don’t want to be left in the dust they’ll need to find a way to string together some wins.
The Flow
A recording error undiscovered until the conclusion of the AFC championship game meant this writer missed the first half of the opening period. By all accounts that may have been a blessing in disguise. From what I did observe, I was left wishing the Patriots had been able to convert the two pointer and force overtime. Uninspired might best sum it up. The opening goal was a weak effort by the Granlund line, allowing Rask to pick up the puck and walk through the middle uncontested before wristing the puck between the open wickets of Karri Ramo. The second goal was an unnecessary penalty shot that began with a bewildering giveaway from Dennis Wideman who jumped deep into the zone before attempting to pass back to his open spot. The puck deflected and bounced over Russell who did his best to chase down Elias Lindholm in the clear. After being hauled down and awarded his first career penalty shot there was little doubt about the outcome, Lindholm snapping the puck low blocker to give the homeside a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The second wasn’t much better than the first. The Flames had a couple decent chances in the early going, only to see the Hurricanes turn the puck back up the ice and score on their first opportunity. Eric Staal demonstrating great awareness to slide the puck past a sliding Brodie and find Kris Versteeg for an empty net deposit. That would be enough to chase Ramo from the net who received little in support from a disinterested Flames squad. The goalie swap would provide a little spark as the Flames would get on the board before the end of the frame. Some nice puck protection by Joe Colborne would lead to Giordano sneaking down the side boards and centering a backhand to Hudler who seperated enough from his man to swipe the puck over Lack. 3-1 into the third.
The Flames found some motivation in the lockerroom and came out on fire looking to cut into the lead. After a flurry of quality chances they finally broke through off a nice shot by Colborne over the glove and under the bar. They kept the heat on but were unable to crack Lack. The Hurricanes would add two more to salt the game away. Versteeg stuffed home his second of the game, which left Jonas Hiller and Bob Hartley visibly fuming and before the steam could dissipate the ‘Canes would add another; Joakim Nordstrom snapping one in just 32 seconds later.
The Hurricanes got a standing ovation from the sea of red seats as the final buzzer sounded. Might be the closest the Flames get to the C of Red this season, as they slunk off the ice with a 5-2 defeat that drops them back below .500.
Three Stars
- Eddie Lack: As poor as the Flames played at times, they did manage some decent looks. Most were snuffed out efficiently by Lack. 33 saves on 35 shots.
- Joe Colborne: I have been unimpressed with the large Calgary native this season. But he was the best Flame tonight by far. Great showing and well deserved goal and assist. And he did this with barely seven minutes of icetime.
- Kris Versteeg: Two goals, each one delivered with his trademark sneer.
Big Save
After Colborne narrowed the lead to one, the Flames returned with a beautiful passing play that found Monahan alone infront. Lack’s calm save off the deflection won’t make any highlight reels, but the timing of the save was enormous in ensuring the victory for his team.
The Goat
Wideman was bad. I found fault in Dougie Hamilton tonight. But I need to call out the duo of Monahan and Gaudreau. Sure it must be tough playing with a constant rotation of wingers on the right side, but the effort was not there and that’s hard to see. One shot each, missed coverage, and zeros on a powerplay that continues to sputter. Hartley even tried to send a message in the second period, starting the number two unit fresh off a commercial break.
Mr. Clutch
Lance Bouma. Nothing flashy but steps in and delivers 15 minutes of solid hockey. Four shots, a blocked shot and a number of rub outs. Hopefully he’ll stay healthy the rest of the way.
Odds and Ends
- Not too sure what to make of the icetime tonight. Colborne and Granlund held to just over seven minutes each. Granted they’ve looked less than capable the last number of games, and were largely at fault for a distasteful opening goal, but Colborne started to show life and confidence as the game progressed, and was rewarded with diminishing shift time. Meanwhile Gaudreau and Monahan finished around 15 minutes a piece while Backlund and Frolik hovered around 20? Perhaps just a case of Hartley resting his big runs for tomorrow’s game, or maybe its a sign the coach is recognizing who is giving him better effort.
- What more can be said about the powerplay? Another zero on the board tonight, including three of the five where they didn’t even register a shot. Not. Good. Enough.
- Hurricanes had just one even strength goal in their previous three games coming in. Potted four tonight.
- Hurricanes added 19 takeaways to their league leading total. Some they didn’t even have to work for as Calgary was sloppy with the puck all night. No worse than Dennis Wideman passing backwards into two Carolina players after jumping forward. Or how many times did we see a Flames player shoot wide to help Carolina clear the zone without touching the puck? Make better decisions.
Next Up
There ain’t no rest for the wicked. The Flames board a plane tonight on route to Dallas, Texas where they’ll take on the Stars tomorrow night. 6:30 puckdrop on Sportsnet West.
Lines (To Start):
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – David Jones
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Joe Colborne – Marcus Granlund – Jiri Hudler
Lance Bouma – Matt Stajan – Josh Jooris
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Ladislav Smid – Dennis Wideman
Karri Ramo
