Well not the season many of us had in mind when Brad Treliving shocked the hockey world by reeling in Dougie Hamilton on draft day from Tampa in June of last summer.
The Flames coming off a great playoff run that had them knock off the Canucks, then fall to the Ducks in the second round were expected to be a force in the weak Pacific Division and to battle with the Kings for home ice in the first round of an expected playoff series. Instead it was an October face plant, terrible special teams, and some historically bad goaltending as the Flames were pretty much on ice by Halloween, their season over.
So with the season lost they took to the ice for the final time this season in Minnesota, and with a 38 year old goaltender playing out the string they came from behind with a spirited third period to beat the Wild 2-1 and at least end their campaign with a good taste in their collective mouths.
The Flow
A loosey goosey period commencing with a great touch by Bob Hartley as he started all three first game players for the opening puck drop. The Flames turn the puck over a few times resulting in some Wild chances that didn’t really materialize. The period’s best chance comes when the Wild turn the puck over to Mark Giordano who walks in on a one on one from center ice and forces Dubnyk to make a solid pad save. No score through 20 with the Wild outshooting the Flames 13-5, solid period for former Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom.
If the first period was one sided in Minnesota’s direction, well the second was an avalanche in the same direction. The Wild had three second period powerplays which helped the stats line, but too many Flame’s players were watching, forcing veteran Backstrom to do a lot more work than was wise. Backstrom holds the fort however, keeping his game simple and making good save after good save through most of the period. It was disappointing that the one that did beat him he’d like to have back, Dalphe spinning a backhander through his legs, the veteran stopper looking unprepared. The Flames find life on a shift in the second half and test Kuemper, who came in at the ten minute mark, a shared game with Dubnyk, but the score stays 1-0 through 40. Shots at 18-6 Minnesota in the period, 31-11 through two periods. Ouch!
The Flames seemed to suddenly realize they only had 20 minutes left in their season when the puck dropped in the third, as they completely took over the game. The Flames out shoot their hosts 14-5 in the third period, but it isn’t sustained pressure and a bunch of pretty goals that turned this around, it was all bounces, luck and fate as it turned out. First Drew Shore centered the puck off a leg to Brandon Bollig who fired the puck through a Wild players legs and past Kuemper to tie the score. Thirty seconds later Patrick Sieloff just whacks a backhander towards the Wild net that hits Suter’s stick and past Kuemper for his first NHL goal (I’m sure he’ll describe that differently to his kids). Flames come from behind and win it in Minnesota, 2-1.
1. Niklas Backstrom: What a great story. Veteran stops 35 of 36 shots sent his way by his former teammates and comes away with the win in what is likely his last NHL game.
2. Patrick Sieloff: Scored the game winner, what more do you want for a first NHL game?
3. Jared Spurgeon: Best Wild player, had 6 shots on goal and was noticeable on every shift.
Big Save
The Wild pick up a turnover and march in on a two on one in the second period with Granlund feeding the puck across the ice to Spurgeon who tries to get the puck up over Backstrom but the veteran gets his glove up and stones his former teammate.
The Goat
Has to be Darcy Kuemper, and I don’t pass out insults to guys named Darcy all that easily. Comes in half way through a mop up game and gives up two goals to hand his team it’s 5th straight loss heading into the playoffs. Some tough bounces sure, but you have to square up on the Sieloff chance, do that and it hits you.
Mr. Clutch
I like Shinkaruk tonight. Had the teams best three scoring chances and seems to be getting used to NHL speed. Great trade for Calgary.
Odds and Ends
With three more debuts tonight the Flames have now dressed; four different goaltenders, 12 defensemen, and 23 forwards for a total of 37 different players. Nice of the Flames to give first NHL games to two players (Turner Elson and Patrick Sieloff) that could very well never get a chance again in their careers, and another kid in Oliver Kylington at a point much earlier than most would have expected. … Not a great game to assess talent but really liking how Hunter Shinkaruk is starting to settle down and find his scoring chances at the NHL level. No goals or points in this one but he had three clear cut scoring chances, probably the Flames best three of the night. Two featured taking the puck to the slot and letting it rip, another a wraparound attempt. He looks like a player. … Kylington wasn’t the least bit shy in this one, as he really tried to play his game at the NHL level. Made a few solid moves with the puck, but showed his immaturity in forcing two offsides and creating a turnover that lead to a two on one. Certainly a good looking young player with lots to work with. … Good price third period for the Flames and a great way to finish a season. Sure they could have had the fourth best draft odds, and they may end up with the sixth best draft odds, but who’s to say the six hole isn’t the one that wins the lottery and Sieloff will go down as immortal for scoring the goal that yields the Flames Austin Mathews? That’s the way I’m going to look at it. … Anyone else notice Sean Monahan only played 4 minutes tonight, not showing for the second or the third period? No point in pushing something if he’s banged up what a terrible way to end a season. … The Flames didn’t look to have the best schedule in their final four games with games in Edmonton and Minnesota and pair of games at the dome against the Canucks and Kings. But in those four games the team went 3-0-1 for 7 of a possible 8 points once again proving to all that tanking is/was the last thing on their minds. I like it. … The Leafs lost in Jersey so at least the Oilers don’t have the best lottery odds heading into the bouncing ball ceremony on April 30th. The Flames will have the 6th best odds unless the Jets win in regulation or overtime tonight in L.A., in which case they will have the 5th best odds.
Next Up
Garbage bag day for the Flames on Monday, as the team will get together clean out their lockers, say goodbye to the media and depart on destinations unknown.
Lines:
Hunter Shinkaruk – Sean Monahan -Johnny Gaudreau
Matt Stajan – Mikael Backlund – Joe Colborne
Josh Jooris – Sam Bennett – Micheal Ferland
Brandon Bollig – Drew Shore – Turner Elson
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Jyrki Jokipakka -Dougie Hamilton
Oliver Kylington – Jacub Nakladal
Niklas Backstrom
