This season has featured a lot of downs, too many downs. Tonight may have taken the cake on this young season however.
The Flames up in shots, up in scoring chances 2 to 1 through 40 minutes but down two on the scoreboard but heading to a third period powerplay, an opportunity to get back into things. When Paul Byron, the ex-Flames gets a short handed breakaway and scores. Scores on a break away. The guy that was oh for 70 on breakaways last season in Calgary shoves the dagger into the team and the Flames fall 6-2 to the Habs on Saddledome ice.
That’s a lot to swallow in 60 minutes of hockey.
The Flow
You may not want to read the flow, it’s too frustrating, full of pre-Halloween gore, at least if you’re a Flames fan. Montreal is the better team off the hop, pushing the play for the first five minutes before the Flames settle in and take the game over. Montreal goes ahead on one that Ortio would love to have back as a seeing eye shot flutters over his pad and the Habs have an undeserved 1-0 lead. The Flames continue to push putting up 16 first period shots but trail after 20.
The second is pretty much all Calgary, at least for the first 15 minutes but they get out scored 3-2 despite the share of play. Calgary ties it up early when Hudler buries a Monahan pass 30 seconds in, game knotted 1-1. Soon after a turnover gives the Habs their first shot of the period and just like that its 2-1. Calgary ties it up again when Jooris taps home a Gaudreau rebound after a great set up by Sam Bennett. But you know the story, Frolik turns a puck over in the slot and 3-2 Montreal, two goals on two shots. Calgary pushes again but its another turn over and another Habs goal to close out the period.
The Flames get an early powerplay chance in the third, but a shorthanded goal pretty much ends their night, Paul Byron doing the number. Calgary pretty much quits from there as the Saddledome patrons had to endure an all Montreal finish, and a myriad of Ollay Ollay Ollay chants. Tough night as I said.
Three Stars
1.Dale Weisse : I don’t know what’s more shocking to me, three goals for Dale Weisse or 6 on the season. Wow.
2.Mike Condon : I get it, put on a Montreal jersey and some pads and welcome to a .940 save percentage! Condon was the difference in the first 2/3 of this game.
3.Paul Byron : Good guy scores a great goal at a big time in finishing off his former mates. Both happy for him and annoyed!
Big Save
The puck may not have gone in anyway, but Condon was swift to get across the crease and at least rush Gaudreau into not finishing a wrap around goal in the first period that looked all but in. A game changer.
The Goat
Tonight we have two winners of the Hamilton award as both Russell and Wideman managed the -3 feat for the Flames tonight, both by their won mistakes and by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Russell now has a commanding lead of -16 for the Flames =/- woes.
Mr. Clutch
I liked Gaudreau again tonight. He makes things happen. Finds a way in on most Flames goals, and is the only even player on the squad through 11 games, that says something, doesn’t it?
Odds and Ends
The Globe and Mail today aptly pointed out that the one division where a slow start won’t necessarily matter is the Pacific and that can certainly be seen in the numbers. The Flames need to be downright lights out to get back to say 98 points, or a record like last season. But the current 3rd place team in the Pacific is on pace for only 90 points changing things considerably. Still not the best spin on a tough start for the Flames, but it’s about the best I can do! … With Hiller out a week it will be interesting to see how Hartley manages his goaltenders. Does he go with the hot hand? Does he give Ortio the rope to establish himself or does Ramo slide right in front of him as the veteran starter. Ortio got the net tonight but I’m actually surprised he wasn’t pulled in the second period, and certainly can’t see him starting tomorrow night in Edmonton. With that opportunity goes to Ramo to carry the ball, so what happens if he wins? Does Hiller get sent down when he’s healthy? Do they attempt to send Ortio down? Bottom line Flame goaltending just isn’t getting it done. The team in front of them are far from perfect but you can’t post save percentages of .865 night in and night out and have any chance of winning. … My gut tells me tomorrow night is going extreme one way or another. The Oiler tear them a new one or the Flames, angered by tonight lay a beating on the Oilers, I don’t see a close game.
Next Up
No break for the club, as the Flames will hit the road tonight in order to take on the rested Oilers tomorrow night, 8pm HNIC.
Lines:
Joe Colborne – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Johnny Gaudreau – Sam Bennett – Michael Frolik
Mason Raymond – Mikael Backlund – David Jones
Derek Grant – Matt Stajan – Josh Jooris
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Derryk Engellend – Dougie Hamilton
Joni Ortio
