Years ago Mikael Backlund was the only guy with a Flame draft tag on him playing a regular role with the club. The rest of the club was signed or traded for, with other picks either moved on, busted out, or toiling in the minors.
He was the top six draft pick in the mix with veterans like Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay, a player on the rise.
Injuries and inconsistent play had slowed his progression to molasses in the past few years, leaving this season largely in Bob Hartley’s dog house on the outside looking in. Tonight however the Hartley Blender put Backlund in a feature role on the second line with an all European trio of Backlund, Jiri Hudler and Mikael Frolik and Backlund didn’t disappoint with a goal and an assist in a well played 2-1 overtime victory over the Flyers.
The Flow
A careful first period by both clubs. Both teams had chances, the Flyers two early powerplays but the flow was tight and neither team really had a blue chip chance to score. Backlund tipped a puck that hit the cross bar in the first shift but that was as close as either team got until Josh Jooris was sprung from the penalty box on a breakaway. He shoots, great save Neuvirth, but then a mad scramble and the puck slides in; 1-0 Calgary after one.
The Flames were solid for the first 15 minutes of the period, carrying the play, keeping pucks deep and forcing the Flyers to defend. They couldn’t find that second goal however, leaving themselves vulnerable to a late Flyer push. And they do just that … three straight shifts with the Flames fighting the puck in their own zone before Claude Giroux finally finds Raffl in front of the net with a quick shot that wiggled through Ramo.
Two struggling teams take a tie game into the third, and you could almost see both clubs playing for the guaranteed point. The Flames out shoot the Flyers 10-8 in the final period but checking was tight and chances limited. Some tense moments in the final two minutes with the Flyers pushing the play, but the buzzer sounds and the game goes to overtime.
Hartley starts with his defensive group, Monahan taking the draw and two defenders on the ice against Giroux’s line for the Flyers. The Flyers win the draw and generate one shot on goal that is stymied by Ramo. Next up Backlund taking the face off in the Calgary zone with Gaudreau and Brodie. Face off is won, but then lost before the puck springs loose to Gaudreau who hauls it up the ice with Backlund streaking to the net. Gaudreau fires, the puck is stopped by Neuvirth but the rebound hits Backlund and caroms in for the win.
Three Stars
1.Mikael Backlund : Sure the game winner was off his front, but Backlund had a huge game hunting down Claude Giroux and adding an assist, plus numerous other plays working with Frolik, great game.
2.Claude Giroux : Flyer captain has struggled this season, but had a sharp game tonight, gaining an assist on the only Flyer goal.
3.Josh Jooris : Ball of hate for the Flames tonight. Full of energy, shooting the puck, throwing hits, and scored the team’s first goal.
Big Save
With the game tied in the third the Flyers turned a turn over into a Scott Laughton shot that was swiped away by the catcher mitt of Kari Ramo. Big save at a big time in the game (honorable mention to his
The Goat
Michael Del Zotto he of odd porn actress girlfriend past had a rough one being tagged with a -2 in a 2-1 loss for the Flyers. Yeah it’s a stretch, was hoping the porn comment would mask things, bottom line there really wasn’t a player that had goat horns in this one for either club.
Mr. Clutch
Kari Ramo. Not sure the only goal that beat him was a gooder, but the man gave up only the one goal and posted a .963 save percentage tonight a huge step forward for the goaltending fraternity in Calgary this season.
Odds and Ends
Clearly the Flames haven’t had a shut out this season, but tonight was the first game where they gave up less than two. Two other games with two against, meaning 11 games so far have featured goals against of at least 3. Not going to win many games that way. … Speaking of goaltenders, as we are often forced to do, what do they do when Hiller is back likely early next week? Word on the street has Joni Ortio fighting the puck in practice necessitating the Ramo back to back to back starts over the past 6 days regardless of play. So do they keep Hiller on the roster and risk sending Ortio down? Or do they keep with the off season view and protect the asset regardless of small sample size results? My guess is they could get him down now, but is that best for Gillies development? Such an odd year in Calgary for goaltenders. … Hartley broke up the future line after two tonight, putting Hudler back with Gaudreau and Monahan for the third. The line didn’t click, I agree, but not sure I saw Bennett as the culprit, but there he was on the fourth line for the third. Monahan was the hope for rejuvenation but he was held pointless in 18 minutes while getting milked in the face off circle. I give up, I had him as an easy bet for the sophomore jinx last season but he dominated, this year I was looking for the next gear and he’s mailed it in. …. Dougie Hamilton was elevated to the second line tonight and skated 16.5 minutes without taking a minus (collective Calgary exhale). still think he’d be better with Brodie but at least he’s shaken Engellend. … How crazy is it that TJ Brodie is a +5 on the season in 5 games when only four players are even or better and two of the three are only +1 (Gaudreau / Stajan)? The man has played possessed since his return, in my books Calgary’s best player. Last place in the stat? Kris Russell at -15 with Dennis Wideman chasing at -12.
Next Up
Sydney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins come to town for a Hockey Night in Canada matchup, game time 8pm.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Sam Bennett
Jiri Hudler – Mikael Backlund- Michael Frolik
Joe Colborne – Matt Stajan – David Jones
Brandon Bollig – Derek Grant – Josh Jooris
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Derryk Engellend – Dennis Wideman
Kari Ramo
