The name changes for the Edmonton Coliseum over the years has been helpful in that it helps define eras in Edmonton.
When the building was called Northlands it was a terrifying spot to play hockey, with future hall of famers lighting the lamp with ease and blowing out many a visitor that would visit Alberta’s capital city.
However the two more recent incantations, Skyreach and Rexall were exactly the opposite. Teams came in and had their way with the Oilers, nobody more than the Flames who ran their record to 15-3-1 in their last 19 visits to the pill box, ending their history in the building with a convincing if somewhat embarrassing 5-0 blow out win over the Oilers.
The Flames were paced by Johnny Gaudreau and Mikael Backlund, two players that will be key in building new memories at the new Roger’s Place next year when it opens.
The Flow
A slow start for the Flames with the Oilers carrying the play and generating shots and chances around Joni Ortio. Some prolonged play in their own zone lead to a penalty, but it was Calgary who hits the scoresheet when Josh Jooris pokes the puck through to Mikael Backlund who scores his 2nd shorthanded goal of the season and his 16th overall. The Oilers jump on the Flames again after the goal, running up a 9-2 lead in shots before the Flames are given a powerplay of their own, resulting in many blue chip chances and a disallowed goal. Flames lead 1-0 after one with a 10-9 edge in shots.
A solid road period for the Flames, limiting chances against and using two powerplays to run up some shots and sustain some pressure. The Flames double their lead when Jyrki Jokipakka and Mikael Backlund combine to set up Joe Colborne for a tap in, his 18th of the season. The Oilers have their best chance of the period when a four on two leads to a great Patrick Maroon chance, but the big winger failed to get the puck over the glove of Ortio. Shots 20-19 Calgary through two periods, Flames up 2-0.
Wow the Oilers just mailed it in for the third period, or rolled over as a better term. The Flames had the puck the entire period scoring three more times to embarrass the Oilers in their final Battle of Alberta game in Rexall. Gaudreau scored back to back midway through the period, and then Backlund scored his second of the night just as Bennett stepped back on, narrowly missing a two shorthanded goal night. Flames out shoot the Oilers 15-9 and run away with it, 5-0 final.
1. Mikael Backlund: Great game again for the quiet center who’s had an amazing season. Two goals and an assist to further pad his stats.
2. Joni Ortio: Solid night from Ortio. The Oilers didn’t push all that often but when they did Ortio was equal to the task.
3. Johnny Gaudreau: Two third period goals to reach the 30 goal mark!
Big Save
Joni Ortio is a quick goaltender, moves side to side in an almost Kiprusoff way. So it didn’t come as a surprise to see him slide across and rob Patrick Maroon on that 2nd period four on two, making a glove save to hold his doughnut through 40.
The Goat
Nobody had a good game for Edmonton, as many of their better players were all -2 but I’m going with Eberle for that terrible failed backcheck on the first Backlund goal.
Mr. Clutch
Joe Colborne. Continues to add to his career best proving patience pays off for young players. Scores once and adds an assist.
Odds and Ends
A great example of why the Oilers can’t seem to find their way out of the wilderness? Jordan Eberle on Mikael Backlund’s shot handed goal. He’s tracking back on the powerplay but doesn’t pick Backlund up. Even when the puck gets to Backlund he still doesn’t engage to try and thwart the chance, he just looks away. Terrible hockey. I wrote the Eberle note after the first period, so it was interesting to see Kelly Hrudey go for the jugular on Eberle in the second intermission. Really called him out for a being a selfish player. … My memories of Rexall/Skyreach/Northlands really seem to be in two eras. The Gretzky era was terrifying, the Flames had decent success their but you always had that feeling of dread that the Oiler would get rolling then blow you out. But from the early 90s until tonight it was the complete opposite, where I almost expected the Flames to win, as they just owned the Oilers in both Calgary and Edmonton for the past 15 or so years. Other memory? That whiny PA address guy that they had for 30 some years. Annoying voice. … Great to see Gaudreau hit the 30 goal mark, really it’s the modern day’s 40 goal plateau given scoring levels in the NHL these days. He had a rough night with a wrist issue and then a crosscheck to the ribs. … Connor McDavid didn’t get a lot done tonight with a few of his chances foiled by TJ Brodie. Have to wonder if Brodie, who has speed and quick hands may be the perfect defender to at least lessen the McDavid impact going forward. … Didn’t see a lot of it, but after Hartley switched up the lines it looked like Sam Bennett and Hunter Shinkaruk might have some chemistry together, they seem to play a similar cycle style. … That 15-3-1 record in Edmonton in their last 19 is just amazing. That’s a good record against a team on home ice, let along in enemy territory. Not a huge shock to Calgary hockey fans though, as a trip to Edmonton has just felt like two points for years. … Anyone else getting worried about the expansion draft and Jokipakka? Really seems like he’s built for the aggressive jump into the play style that Calgary demands from their defense core. His play is really coming on. … Backlund now has 17 on the season and will be in tough to hit that magic 20 mark but points wise he equalled his career best tonight and sits only one point back of the magic 40 number with three games to go. … Also interesting to see Joe Colborne even with Backlund in goals and only 2 points back for the season.
Next Up
The Flames return home to take on the L.A. Kings on Tuesday night, game time 7pm on Sportsnet.
3>Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan- Hunter Shinkaruk
Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – Joe Colborne
Josh Jooris – Sam Bennett – Micheal Ferland
Brandon Bollig- Matt Stajan – Derek Grant
TJ Brodie – Dougie Hamilton
Mark Giordano – Derryk Engelland
Jyrki Jokipakka – Jacub Nakladal
Jonas Hiller
