Now that’s a tough loss.
The Flames looked to be on their way to a nail biter, then overtime, then a safe victory with a two goal lead, then overtime, and with that a devastating 4-3 overtime loss to the Ducks.
And a huge crimp in what was already a pretty slight opportunity at the playoffs.
Out of town the Wild fought off the Sharks and won a crazy 8-7 game in overtime.
The Flames got a great game from the Backlund line as they dominated, and started on time, which was refreshing to see. But a third period collapse did them in.
They put their tiny playoff hopes completely on the line on Friday night when the Wild come to the Saddledome.
The Lineup
A lot of attention to the lineup these days, now with two top prospects in town taking spins in morning skates and practices. Neither are looking to be in tonight though.
It looked like Martin Pospisil was out for the season when he left the ice in San Jose, but he’s playing, but much further down the roster.
Nazem Kadri between Jonathan Huberdeau and Adam Klapka, Matt Coronato returning to a line with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman, and then the Philly guys; Forgan Frost and Joel Farabee with Yegor Sharangovich. And finally a fourth line of Kevin Rooney with Adam Klapka and Pospisil.
On the blueline no change; Joel Hanley with Mackenzie Weegar, Kevin Bahl with Rasmus Andersson, and Jake Bean with Brayden Pachal.
Wolf starts again for the desperation Flames.
Parekh’s OHL Career
Closing the book on Zayne Parekh’s OHL career; assumptive I know, but likely regardless.
Clearly he has some numbers.
We’ve all heard the Bobby Orr thing, the points in a season, the back to back seasons of huge numbers.
He sits 5th all time in points per game for OHL defensemen in their career, but what’s interesting is that one of those years was his 17 year old year and he’s unlikely to play his 19th.
Bruce Cassidy came back for his 19th year. Scott MacLellan had a 4 year OHL career. Ryan Ellis 4 years in the OHL. Brian Fogarty 4 years, and his big year at 19.
What would Zayne Parekh do with a third year at age 19? Another 100 points putting him at 340? And with a duplication of this past year (not assuming an improvement) he would move to 1.405 points per game and potentially 2nd place all time in a very different era.
Pretty special career.
| Player | P/GP |
| Bruce Cassidy | 1.491 |
| Scott MacLellan | 1.407 |
| Ryan Ellis | 1.389 |
| Bryan Fogarty | 1.389 |
| Zayne Parekh | 1.356 |
| Shawn Evans | 1.34 |
| John Slaney | 1.323 |
| Rick Corriveau | 1.265 |
| Brad Shaw | 1.166 |
| Jamie Rivers | 1.127 |
| Ryan Merkley | 1.085 |
Wolf’s Start
No damage done in the first period.
And no leaky defence. The Ducks had a handful of chances, but the Flames kept things to the perimeter and Wolf was only beaten on a cross bar shot that didn’t find the net.
Flames even better in the second period and Wolf equal to the task for what he did face. Nice change from the game in San Jose with the Ducks only generating 4 high danger chances in all situations through 40 minutes.
Then the third period happened.
The Ducks had 11 shots on no high danger chances in the final 21:11 of play but scored four goals against just 0.67 in expected goals.
I wouldn’t say any of the goals were ugly, but the quantity was very un-Dustin Wolf like.
By totals the Ducks with 1.92 in expected goals (1.25 in the first two periods) and four goals.
Pretty sure Dustin Wolf won’t be happy.
Odds and Sods
Not sure what to make of Martin Pospisil playing but demoted. My assumption is he’s hurt, but can play. but not at a top line level. So he’s going to straight line it and be physical but not handle the puck as much? Either way it’s a huge opportunity for Adam Klapka; like potentially the difference between penciled in next year and having to battle it out. Will be interesting to watch. …The Flames with the anticipated much better start to this hockey game. They had the first few shifts. Didn’t convert but they were the better team early. No scoring in the first period but Calgary with the territorial edge. … More of the same in the first half of the second period as the Flames own the puck, but fail to generate a lot of blue chip chances. … Shoulder injury for Morgan Frost? Ran into the back of Mackenzie Weegar on a powerplay rush in the second period and left the game. He returns, but then gets hit from behind in the third period and left again. This time a neck injury I’d guess. With Zary out and Pospisil at what looks like 60% the Flames really can’t afford another injury to the top nine. … Huska had Pospisil back on the top line in Klapka’s place a third of the way through the second period, but only for a shift and then back to Klapka. … Have to give the Sharks some credit for the effort. Huge three goal comeback to force overtime against the Wild only to lose in overtime. For the Flames it’s just two point for Minnesota with no silver lining. … The Flames finally break the goose egg when Mikael Backlund tips home a Mackenzie Weegar point shot with about five minutes left in the period. Flames up 1-0 through 40 minutes. … When Matt Coronato was drafted the book was a never quit engine and a great shot. He’s be a middle six winger that would score 25 goals a season as an apex projection. He’s going to be more than that. He’s improved his skating. He’s improved his defensive side of the puck, and his hockey IQ is paying dividends for being in the right spot with better boots to execute. Clear cut top line winger at the NHL level now and for his career. … But what a great touch pass by Blake Coleman on what looked like a Matt Coronato insurance goal. Smart. Equally smart was Backlund’s pad shot that created the rebound. … Does a 0/6 night on the powerplay intensify the internal discussion on Zayne Parekh for Friday night? … Then the roof fell in with the Ducks scoring two quick goals to tie, and then a quick one in overtime to win the game and put the Flames playoff chances on life support. Didn’t see that coming.
Fancy Stats
The Flames were playing a pretty solid road game through 55 minutes. They limited the Ducks chances, had the play in the Duck’s zone, but lacked the finish to put them away five on five and on the powerplay. And paid for it. The Flames, five on five, had 53% (61%/59%/41%) of the shot attempts, 88% of the high danger chances, and 71% of the expected goals. In all situations they had 55% of the shot attempts, 79% of the high danger chances and 68% of the expected goals.
Individually, the Flames were led by Blake Coleman with 84% in xGF% on the night. He was joined in the 80s by Joel Farabee, Yegor Sharangovich, Martin Pospisil, Rasmus Andersson and Mikael Backlund. Only three players were under water on the night; Jonathan Huberdeau, Kevin Rooney and Nazem Kadri.
