The Flames had a little engine that could season last season. They chugged into opponent after opponent over matched, under hyped, under sold, and over looked and came up with win after win after win.
At the deadline the Coyotes sold out, they added prospects and picks, they got younger, they got faster, they were expected to lose. But much like the Flames last year the Coyotes just won’t go away.
Tonight at the Saddledome the two teams clashed, 2016 style. Just two points between them and a lot on the line as the Flames hoped to catch up to the 2nd place team in the weak Pacific Division. However a 23 year old goaltender and a sputtering Flames offence were the difference as Arizona padded their lead over Calgary with a 2-1 win on Thursday night.
Now on to the next must win game …
The Flow
The Coyotes were ready to roll off the hop, the Flames were not. Ironically the Flames opened the scoring when Sean Monahan found his battery mate Johnny Gaudreau off to the right on a Calgary powerplay, with Gaudreau corralling the puck and then zipping it to the upper half of the cage. Late in the period the Coyotes tied it up when a harmless shot from the point was tipped in by a Calgary stick, just inside the post. One one after one.
The Flames got off the matt in the second and played a much more sound period. Lots of chances on the young Arizona goaltender, but a post here, a missed rebound there kept the game tied at one. When the Flames broke down Kari Ramo was equal to the task including a great glove save on a broken stick two on one chance by Duclair. Game tied at one after two.
In the third the Yotes score early and then sit back and prevent as the Flames pushed the play to tie the game. Their best chance came on a two on one set up by Micheal Ferland when he lit up Ekman-Larson creating a solid chance by Michael Backlund who was foiled when his shot failed to find its way through Dominque’s pads. Calgary pulls the goalie and holds possession but never finds that blue chip chance to tie things up. Flames lose a tough one on home ice.
Three Stars
1.Louis Domingue: 23 year old goaltender may not have had a pile of tough shots to face but he was good when he was tested, only bested on a Calgary first period powerplay goal by Gaudreau.
2.Kari Ramo : Continues his strong play with another gem. The busier of the two goaltenders, beaten on two goals that he had no chance on. Great night again for Ramo.
3.Oliver Ekman-Larson: One of the league’s best at his position, scored a goal, had six shots on goal and was a difference maker for the Coyotes.
Big Save
Many to choose from in this game; both ways. But I’m going with the Ramo save on Duclair in the second. Ferland breaks his stick creating a two on one. The play gets stretched out meaning Ramo has to slide across his entire net low, but still manages to get his glove up and deny the Yote rookie.
The Goat
No real goat in this one unless you want to hammer skill players on the Flames for only scoring one goal in a very important game. TJ Brodie took two minors but that’s not really “horn” worthy.
Mr. Clutch
I liked Ferland again tonight. He didn’t do enough to garner a star selection but he had some great hits, moved the puck well, and was a big body presence in front of the net. His game is coming.
Odds and Ends
I was surprised to see Mark Giordano named to the all star team this year, as I’m sure many were. He had a rough start, so that matched with the team’s brutal record out of the gate had me thinking Gaudreau alone would represent the team. Internally, he and Brodie are close in points with Giordano playing 9 more games, and Brodie is a +7 to Giordano’s -7 so even in Flameland it’s puzzling. Certainly don’t want to take anything away from the captain as he’s a solid player, and coming on strong (he was -15) but still surprised to see him selected. … Lots of talk about Sam Bennett and how well he’s playing, I know I’ve beaten that drum in three of the last four game stories, but saw a great graphic on the net today that showed he has actually out scoring chances both Gaudreau and Monahan in the 17 games that has had him find only one point. Like Eric Francis and such have said lately, the kid is going to break out … and soon. … Dougie Hamilton didn’t come out to join his buddies to start the third period, sending fear through the building. He returned a few minutes later to a collective sigh. Hamilton had a tough start to the season, but now that he’s settled down I put him on a pretty small list of players the Flames would rather not experiment doing without. Hamilton, Brodie, Giordano, Gaudreau, Monahan is my short list but I guess support guys like Backlund, Frolik (out) and both Russell and Wideman are important as well. … Speaking of injuries, with both Czech players due to come back in roughly a week the Flames will have to make a decision. Inserting both is a no brainer so Raymond and quite possibly Jooris out is the natural call, but they have to send someone to Stockton or make a move. My money is on Raymond but it will be interesting to see. We may not see it at all though, as the situation was setting up for the game in Dallas a few weeks ago but Frolik couldn’t go delaying the decision. … With the Flames having trouble offensively, Hartley blendered the lines in the last half of the third period and as a result Ferland had a look or two on the top line with Gaudreau and Monahan. Not sure if he’s comfortable on the right side, but I’d love to see that line walked out for a half dozen games to see what they can do. I think the size and net presence of Ferland would really add to the puck to the net style of Gaudreau and Monahan. … Tough loss for the standings. The Canucks won last night bumping the Flames out and tonight was a chance to bump their way back in. They fail to do so, but also let the 2nd place club put them back by four points. Makes the rest of the homestand ultra important as the rest of the month features a tonne of road games.
Next Up
An odd break to a four game homestand with the Flames playing tonight but then being off until Monday when they host the Sharks. Game time 7pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Joe Colborne
Micheal Ferland – Mikael Backlund – David Jones
Sam Bennett – Marcus Granlund- Mason Raymond
Lance Bouma – Matt Stajan – Josh Jooris
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Derryk Engellend – Dennis Wideman
Karri Ramo
