You know when you have that miserable round of golf? Double after double, missed putts, two shanks out of bounds; a terrible experience you’ve shot 10 strokes over your average game and you think you’ll never play again.
And then you drop a 23 foot putt for a birdie on the 18th hole and you are tempted to just head back to the first tee and do it all again!
Well hockey seasons can be like that too. With the Flames annihilation of the Oilers in Edmonton on Saturday, and a spirited overtime loss to the Kings on Tuesday the team was certainly in a late season, lottery pick position killing groove. Tonight was even more of the same as they were fast fast fast on the puck all night, a track meet running the Canucks out of town to the tune of 7-3. This one wasn’t close, and without a strong start from Ryan Miller the Flames would have put up double digits.
The Flow
A wild, wild first period between two teams not going this season. The Flames get an early four minute powerplay and use the advantage to hurl 8 pucks towards Ryan Miller and scoring once when Mikael Backlund puts home a wide open chance after a great pass by Nackladal on the first powerplay. The Canucks tie it up when giant Russian rookie Tryamkin scores from the point on a weak wrister that bounces off of Shinkaruk’s stick and through Ortio’s legs. The Canucks go up when Bo Horvat beats Ortio low to the glove side, one he may want to have back. But don’t count the Flames out as they bounce right back when Michael Ferland found Dougie Hamilton on the right point who rifled it over Miller to tie up with a couple minutes to play in the period. Crazy Period ends with a 2-2 tie, Flames outshooting the Canucks 18-11.
The second? Well it was pretty much the same. The Flames go ahead for the 2nd time of the game when Mikael Backlund flukes one (or did he?) off the back of Ryan Miller and in, his 2nd of the night and a big career mark as it was the 20th of his season. The Canucks tie it again on a broken play, but the Flames are given back to back powerplays and strike on the first one when Joe Colorne tipped a Hamilton shot in for his 19th of the season. The Flames round things out for the period with yet another shorthanded goal, Stajan finding Backlund for the 2nd time of the night and the Flames lead 5-3 after two.
The third period almost did a dead fake on what was a thoroughly entertaining night as the teams had a quiet start to the final frame. But fear not … a late pair by the Flames and a strong push to add even more made it an 80s game from start to finish. Engelland scored his first of the night from Stajan, his third assist as he continued to channel his inner Adam Oates, and then Sam Bennett on a wraparound scored his 18th of the season to round out the scoring in a blow out.
1. Mikael Backlund: Such a great story. His first 20 goal season and his first career hat trick. He now has 21 goals and 46 points on the season laying waste to his old career marks.
2. Matt Stajan: Three assists for the old warrior that pretty much carried Backlund on his back to goals 20 and 21, great plays all three.
3. Joe Colborne: His net filling ways continue, as Colborne scores a goal and adds two assists running his totals even higher.
Big Save
Derryk Engelland made an odd pinching decision creating a very odd spectacle, a two on zero for the Canucks from center. They play it well with a pass across the ice to Hanson who one times it but it robbed by an athletic slide over, getting a blocker on the puck to keep it out.
The Goat
Was there a goat? I’d say Hansen for his 4 minute penalty early but it was a phantom call. I’d say Miller for 7 against, but he faced 43 shots. I’d say Dorsett for his jumping of Bollig after a Flame goal but I’m not sure it changed anything. The Canucks weren’t in it as a man so I guess I’d say Willie Desjardins is the goat for coming short on whatever tonic Bob Hartley is using with the Flames.
Mr. Clutch
Dougie Hamilton. Edged off the three star board, but had a goal and an assist of his own as well as career marks. Lead the Flames with 5 shots on goal.
Odds and Ends
With Lance Bouma’s third major injury of the season, well maybe that’s a stretch as this one sounds worse than it is with “rest of the season” meaning only two games, the Flames called up Drew Shore on emergency to fill in. To make that work, Hartley moved Stajan up to the wing with Backlund, and Shore took a wing spot on the fourth line with Grant centering. … Hilarious that Johnny Gaudreau picked up a goalie interference penalty for the second straight game as he’s not that kind of player. His bump in the Kings game was a good penalty, but I’m not sure the one tonight was warranted. Miller was out of the crease and really sold it when he took a glancing rub from Gaudreau on the way by. … Once again impossible to suggest the Flames are tanking in any way when you see Ortio start the game, and the Flames go blitzkrieg on the Canucks in the first period. Teams that throw everything but the kitchen sink at the opposition are not looking for creative ways to lose. … Hands up, how many had Colborne with a chance to score 20 goals this year with one more in his last 4 periods of the season? Or beyond that, hands up those that thought he’d have such a chance for 20 in any season in his career? But you have to hand it to him, he’s been really effective down the stretch. The problem now for the Flames is contract terms and the Shean Donovan effect of whether the player can repeat it or not. … Dougie Hamilton has set career marks in goals and points now with 12 and 43 on the season. From such a brutal start he’s sure found his game in the last half. Really makes next year intriguing. Couldn’t help but notice him giving Backlund an extra tug on the bench after Backlund’s hat trick goal, uppity kid. … I think Kelly Hrudey was feeling bad for hammering Jordan Eberle on the weekend, at least that’s my reasoning for all the compliments he was throwing the Canucks way. Hid doozey was suggesting the Canucks and Flames are very similar when it comes to being blessed with young talent on their roster. Rick Ball quickly brought up the stat of the Flames leading the league in goals from players 22 and under.
Next Up
One more to go! The Flames travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Saturday night and that will be that for the 2015-16 season. Game time 5pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan- Hunter Shinkaruk
Matt Stajan – Mikael Backlund – Joe Colborne
Josh Jooris – Sam Bennett – Micheal Ferland
Brandon Bollig- – Derek Grant – Drew Shore
TJ Brodie – Dougie Hamilton
Mark Giordano – Derryk Engelland
Jyrki Jokipakka – Jacub Nakladal
Joni Ortio
