The math is simple.
Two out of every three and the Flames are in right? It’s as easy as that.
The club comes back from the all star break and lights up the Carolina Hurricanes, then it’s on to the 30th place team in the league and just like that you’re two for two and heading to Vancouver for a little Sedin gravy (scratch that, sounds awful).
Not so fast though, the Flames despite carrying the play couldn’t find the net often enough to turn back the Jackets on Friday night, dropping a 2-1 decision at the Saddledome.
Now it’s come up large in Vancouver tomorrow night. Do they have it in them?
The Flow
Great road start for the Jackets as they bottle things up keep the Flames chasing through the first five minutes of the contest. When Calgary finally did get their first shot on goal they began to take over the play however, out shooting their visitors 11 to 7 in the first. The Flames are rewarded for their work when a breakaway chance by Boon Jenner turns into a great Ramo save, a regroup and then a quick counter strike by the Flames. Giordano settles things down, back passes to Brodie who goes cross rink to Monahan up the ice. Monahan finds Hudler who has his shot go off a Jacket defender. 1-0 Calgary after the first period.
The second was pretty much the same with the Flames out shooting and out chancing the Jackets but just not finding the back of the net. Their best chance was an exchange when Bennett too the puck to the net but was thwarted by a pad save by Korpisalo, the rebound also corralled on a shot by Frolik. The Jackets tie things up when Seth Jones lugs the puck up the ice and finds Karlsson in the slot who eludes Bennett and ties the score. 1-1 after two with the Flames holding a 21-14 edge in shots.
The Flames seemed poised for that goal ahead goal. They had many more chances, but just couldn’t cash in on blue chip chances. The game changed when Dougie Hamilton got stripped when he attempted to carry the puck into the Jacket’s zone, creating a 3 on 1 and another goal by Karlsson. From there it was the Jackets icing the puck and the Flames doing their best to beat the 21 year old Korpisalo, but no avail. 2-1 final Jackets.
Three Stars
1.Joonas Korpisalo: Got victimized in Columbus by the Flames including a short side goal by Gaudreau, but tonight he was more than ready to take on all challengers, his only a blemish a deflected puck off his own defenseman’s stick.
2.William Karlsson: Long haired dude kept his stick on the ice and was able to convert two gimmies on great passes by his teammates.
3.Matt Calvert: Picked up two assist and absorbed a huge hit from Flames rookie Sam Bennett.
Big Save
Two Jacket breakaways would be a start, but I thought the Korpisalo glove save on Gaudreau early in the second period was not only a nice stop but a nicely times top as a goal there makes it a very different hockey game.
The Goat
Has to be Dougie Hamilton for his turnover in the third period. The Flames were the better team and they were heading for a win unless a mistake or a breakdown gifted the tired and rope a dope Jackets. His turnover at the blueline was exactly what they were looking for.
Mr. Clutch
I thought it was a typically good night by Johnny Gaudreau. It doesn’t always turn into scoring points, but he was at his creating self all night and should have had two or three points.
Odds and Ends
Good to see Jiri Hudler finding the way to the scoresheet again tonight, picking up a goal, just his 7th of the season. The goal does give him five points in five games and seven points in the last eight which can’t hurt his trade value. Lots of speculation around media circles about the Flames shopping Hudler and looking for a 2nd in return. Hopefully that’s the starting point and things go upward from there towards the deadline. … The loss moves the Flames into a seven way tie at the bottom of the standings with 47 points. Sure they have games in hand on most of the teams but directionally, especially with the Ducks winning the writing has to be on the wall. Ten points down with a handful of teams to pass? Come on … she be done. … Another good game from Sam Bennett as his continues to combine speed, grit, determination, hands and hostility into an interesting package. Had a great hit on Calvert, completely clean with his elbow down, text book. Took the puck to the net well and should have been rewarded. Sadly his line was victimized for both Jacket goals and he finished the night -2. … Wonder if the Flames will come back with Ramo again tomorrow night, or if Hiller will get a turn. My gut says Hiller given the loss tonight, but that could turn out disastrous against a Canucks team that needs the points as badly as Calgary.
Next Up
No rest for the weary as the Flames travel to Vancouver to play the Canucks tomorrow night, game time 8pm on HNIC, Hockey Day in Canada!
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Lance Bouma – Marcus Granlund- Joe Colborne
Micheal Ferland – Matt Stajan – David Jones
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Derryk Engellend – Ladislav Smid
Kari Ramo
