Let’s get ready to rummmmble!
Two years and three days ago, the Flames delivered a most memorable moment in a forgettable season. That night Calgary entered the contest against the Vancouver Canucks — and then head coach John Tortorella — 10 games below .500, but something felt different about that game. Perhaps it was the burlier than normal starting lineup, featuring more beef than a Hardee’s giant thickburger. The infamous opening faceoff line brawl would spark that Flames edition, who followed that mark with a .600 winning clip, and began the unraveling of a Canucks squad who sent Tortorella to the unemployment line just one season into a five-year contract.
The Flames could use a similar spark again as they entered Thursday’s contest against the reincarnated Tortorella and his Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets are floundering at the bottom of the league, and unless the Flames secure themselves two points again the league’s worst team could find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference before they lace up for their next game.
They might not be able to count on another lockerroom visit from John Tortorella to unite and ignite the roster this time around but Calgary better hope a strong effort against Columbus is the tonic that spurs them back to .500 and into a winning streak. Time is running out.
On The Line
Winless so far on their season-long five game road swing, the Flames can ill afford to drop this one against the abysmal Jackets.
The Flow
Have you ever had a bowl of instant pudding? Not overly exciting, but somewhat enjoyable. Smooth and bland without much diversity. And before you know it you’ve plowed through the entire package. That’s what the first period felt like. But just as it seemed the entire frame would pass without even a single lump, a juicy rebound of the pads of Sergei Bobrovsky would be buried by Michael Frolik with just seconds remaining.
The second period featured a few more discernible events. It started when Scott Hartnell, returning from a healthy scratch, buried a rebound off the end boards past an outstretched Ramo. But just 38 seconds later Sam Bennett was partially sprung off a nice feed from Mark Giordano and snapped the puck short side on Bobrovsky. The talented Russian netminder was playing just his second game since returning from a groin injury. But Bobrovsky would yank himself midway through the game, likely a return of the injury that sidelined him for a month. Rookie netminder Joonas Korpisalo would enter the game but would go largely untested the rest of the frame. Instead it was Columbus who would even the score, off a brutal rebound from the midsection of Ramo that was quickly deposited fivehole by the stick of Brandon Dubinsky. All square at two entering a very important period in the Flames’ season.
Have you noticed the post-lean revolution in goaltending? It’s a blocking position adopted by almost every goaltender now on sharp angle opportunities. It consists of laying the post-leg skate just inside the post, the pad sitting flush to take away the ice, and the rest of the body leaning overtop, sealing the post. Highly effective as it seals up any possible holes, however it does leave a tiny window just above the goalies shoulder in the top corner that is difficult for the goalie to reach. Gaudreau has figured this out, and we’ve seen him go for that spot on many occasions. He was successful early in the third, sniping the puck over Korpisalo’s shoulder just under the bar. A huge goal, changing the complexion of the game. Colombus wasn’t able to generate much, but then a crazy bounce off Wideman’s shin would float perilously off the crossbar and land an inch from the goalline. Another post soon after would ring tidings of good fortune for the Flames on this night. Calgary would score their own carom off the end boards goal soon after, Bennett wrapping in his second of the night, to salt the game away.
Two goals in the third, and a huge two points in the standings to climb back to .500 on the roadtrip and the season.
Three Stars
- Sam Bennett: Two goals on the night now gives him eight in his past five games. If he stays hot the 19 year old could soon find himself in the Calder conversation.
- Karri Ramo: 27 saves on 29 shots in his first start in four games. Nice to have the #1 back in the net, even if the second goal was a bit of a stinker.
- Mark Giordano: Two assists and five blocked shots in nearly 24 minutes of ice time. A solid game from the captain.
Big Save
2:20 remaining in the game and Karri Ramo would flash the leather to deny the heavy slapshot of the Bluejackets’ newest member Seth Jones.
The Goat
Rene Bourque. So nice to see him not in a red jersey. He resumes his position of Goat master as he did in oh so many games during his Flames tenure.
Mr. Clutch
Johnny Gaudreau. An off night in many regards for the young superstar. He looked sluggish and disinterested for most of the game. But as he’s shown before he only needs one opportunity with the puck to be a game changer. A perfect shot to open the third would prove to be the game winner on this night.
Odds and Ends
- Gaudreau’s goal was his 20th of the season, but only his third away from the Saddledome. Obviously Gaudreau likes playing in Calgary, let’s hope that comes into play during his contract negotiation this summer.
- The blender continues on the top line. Both Monahan and Gaudreau struggled tonight, save Gaudreau’s beautiful snipe. Monahan losing the draw clean led directly to the tying goal late in the second, although the original shot right in the breadbasket is one Ramo has to absorb.
- Mikael Backlund bounced back after a tough night in New Jersey. Two assists and a plus three tonight. That leaves him with six points in his last five games. Part of that streak must be attributed to Sam Bennett, who continues to scorch opponents.
- Fast paced game without many whistles. This one took barely two hours to complete. Decent pace but not much emotion, just like polishing off a big ol’ bowl of instant pudding.
Next Up
The road trip ends with a rare back-to-back, first up is a Sunday visit to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. Puckdrop 4 pm on Sportsnet.
Lines (To Start):
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Micheal Ferland
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Joe Colborne – Marcus Granlund – Jiri Hudler
Brandon Bollig – Matt Stajan – David Jones
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Deryk Engelland – Dennis Wideman
Karri Ramo
