Salvaging a terrible start, a 60 day terrible start to a season is tough sledding.
You have to win and win often. You have to win many in a row. You have to avoid losing two in a row, and well dominance on home ice certainly wouldn’t hurt.
The Flames completed the home ice sweep on a difficult 5 game homestand, picking up wins over the Stars, Bruins, Sharks, Sabres and tonight a 5-4 nail biter overtime game over the New York Rangers.
The stand was lead by the offence of the club and tonight they were once again carried by their top line with Gaudreau scoring twice and almost finding the third in overtime. Now a tough four game road trip where they hope to keep their momentum and continue to climb back into things.
Fun to have things interesting again.
The Flow
The Flames jumped on the Rangers early, in fact Matt Stajan was sent in alone on a breakaway just 30 seconds in, but is turned away from Ranger backup Antti Ranta. More shots by the Flames, not of the blue chip caliber, but the home side was pushing the play and dictating the pace. The Rangers score the first one though on a rush with Miller deflecting the puck past Hiller, the goaltender had no chance. The Flames get the only powerplay of the first period but don’t get a thing done, 1-0 Rangers after the first period.
The second was more a Ranger period though the shots on goal (10-5) and scoring (2-0) would say otherwise. The Rangers continued their kitty by the door plan to the game, muzzling the Flames and not giving them a lot by way of scoring chances. They had chances of their own, but Hiller stood tall, most of which came in back to back shifts that resulted in domination in the Calgary zone and an eventual Ranger powerplay. During that stretch, which featured an icing call, Kris Russell in his first game back was on the ice for almost three straight minutes. It looked to be heading to the third at 1-0 New York when Gaudreau jumped on a Yandle clearing attempt and wired a shot past Ranta to tie the game at one. Just 17 seconds later the Flames were up when Frolik found Mason Raymond on a two on one and just like that the Flames had a lead through 40.
Crazy third period, though I guess one would suspect such a thing given the nature of this home stand. The Flames build on their lead when Jones finds Gaudreau behind the Ranger defense, and he doesn’t disappoint scoring his second of the night through Ranta’s pads, his patented move. They build on it minutes later when Joe Colborne plays whack a mole near the Ranger cage, the second whack passing past Ranta and into the goal. Game over right? Think again. The Rangers score right away on a terrible play by Hiller making it 4-2, soon after it’s 4-3, then with back to back powerplays the Rangers tie the game and send it to overtime.
In overtime the Flames get Gaudreau on the ice and he dices the Ranger defense and gets in alone, but can’t get the puck over Ranta’s pad. Thirty seconds later Kris Russell finds Brodie streaking up the right side and Brodie baits the Ranger defense by looking the pass to Mikael Backlund, before scoring himself blocker side.
Three Stars
1.Johnny Gaudreau : Getting somewhat expected, but the little guy just continues to do it night in and night out. Scored a huge goal to bring the Flames back to tied, then the third goal in the third period.
2.TJ Brodie : Always a solid contributor, tonight he take a pass and scores the game winner in overtime.
3.Dan Boyle: Vet with the salt and pepper beard was noticeable in Calgary scoring the third Ranger goal and adding an assist for the struggling New York club.
Big Save
Hiller had to be sharp when the Rangers found Kevin Hayes pounding through the slot in the second period, deflecting the puck on Hiller who was ready with his five hole closed and made a pad save to keep the score 1-0 New York.
The Goat
The McDonagh/Girardi pairing. For elite defensemen the duo made a tonne of mistakes, including letting Gaudreau drift between them in the third for the cushion goal that turned out not to be a cushion. Wanted to go Hiller but the guy got the win and that would be mean.
Mr. Clutch
Kris Russell. First game back after missing a few with a hand injury and he goes +3 and sets up the Brodie overtime goal. Add in that crazy three minute shift in the second and it was a pretty epic return for the diminutive defenseman.
Odds and Ends
Nervous moments when Sam Bennett went down with what looked to be a knee injury. Really looked like he blew his knee up and would be gone for a long time. Have to admit the scoreless drought for Bennett has me somewhat surprised. Before the recent resurgence he was one of Calgary’s best players and was scoring at a .7 ppg for a stretch. Now his pointless streak is pushing 8 games and his chances are even starting to list. Still think the kid is going to be an important player before this season is over, but now wondering about my 50 point season prediction. … Hiller had 21 saves on 23 shots and was heading for his best save percentage game of the season, but then the dyke broke and he let in two more before the final buzzer. In the end 25 saves on 29 shots for a .862 which is pretty much on par for his season. I get he is sick, but he’s not a good goaltender. You can’t be on your knees all night at this level, the shooters are too good. .. The win gives the Flames nine wins in a row on home ice, just one back of the franchise record of ten. More importantly the Flames leaped the Ducks and now sit only 2 points back of both Arizona and Vancouver for a playoff spot. They also sit only a point back of the Sharks, and two back of Winnipeg. At one game under .500 they just might be salvaging a season, but the four game trip coming up simply has to be make or break. They can’t give points back by going something like 0-3-1 for only a point. Have to set the bar at .500.
Next Up
The Flames hit the road for four straight, all tough contests to follow up a solid homestand. First game is Tuesday night in Nashville, game time 6pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – David Jones
Sam Bennett – Markus Granlund- Jiri Hudler
Mason Raymond – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Joe Colborne – Matt Stajan – Micheal Ferland
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Laddy Smid – Dennis Wideman
Jonas Hiller
