Game takes: Hawks 5 Flames 1

January 26th, 2023 | Posted in Game Takes | By: D'Arcy McGrath

They just weren’t ready.

That’s pretty easy to see given the terrible start, and then myriad of break downs against a bottom feeder as they choked away a 5-1 loss at the Saddledome.

A terrible first period, some light in the second before a complete collapse. The third had Calgary pushing, but it was too little too late in a hugely disappointing hockey game on Thursday night.

If you want a cheer up, it would have to be Jakob Pelletier moving up the lineup, finding his way to the third line, then second, logging over 15 minutes when the night was done.

So there’s that.

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Game Takes: Flames 4 Jackets 3 (OT)

January 23rd, 2023 | Posted in Game Takes | By: D'Arcy McGrath

The Flames won. That’s the bottom line. They dominated the game pretty much whistle to whistle but fell into that same trap that has hurt them a few times this season.

When they are dominating an opponent they starting cheating offensively in what looks like a push to get things done.

They have to let the game come to them when they’re out classing the opponent and stop forcing the issue and with it mistakes and break downs.

But for tonight all ends well with a Dillon Dube overtime goal to give the Flames a 4-3 win over the Johnny Gaudreau led Columbus Blue Jackets.

Given their success in overtime and the shoot out this year … you take it.

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Game Takes: Flames 6 Bolts 3

January 21st, 2023 | Posted in Game Takes | By: D'Arcy McGrath

As a fanbase we usually fret when we see an afternoon game on the schedule. The stress level is heightened when the game is at home, and at a fever pitch when it’s against a seasoned upper echelon club like the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Add in the Flames coming out with terrible starts in their last two games, and it looked like a recipe for an absolute face plant at the Saddledome this afternoon.

Yeah maybe not …

The Flames jumped all over the Lightning in the first period, scored the go ahead goal, and then fought back from some second period adversity (fell down 2-1 on two quick goals, one an own goal) to past the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 on Saturday afternoon.

The game was closer than the final score looked due to the visitors getting six powerplay opportunities, and the Flames finding the net with two empty net goals to make the finish a laugher.

The Flames snap a two game losing streak, and host Johnny Gaudreau and the Jackets on Monday night.

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Game Takes: Avalanche 3 Flames 1

January 18th, 2023 | Posted in Game Takes | By: D'Arcy McGrath

You just can’t come out that flat.

You just can’t spot the Stanley Cup champions a three goal lead regardless of who they are missing.

That was the case tonight in Calgary, as the Flames came out as flat as flat can be, and with poor play and some unfortunate bounces found themselves down 3-0 early, a lead that was too big to recover from.

The loss moves the Flames out of a playoff spot by points percentage with tonight’s victors passing them by, and with Tampa on the schedule a two game skid could become a “thing”.

Guess we will see.

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Game Takes: Predators 2 Flames 1

January 16th, 2023 | Posted in Game Takes | By: D'Arcy McGrath

The Flames have found a way to find points in most games in the last six weeks, and certainly on the road.

Not so much tonight.

With the Flames looked very much distracted and thinking of home, they spotted the Predators a 2-0 first period lead and weren’t able to come all the way back despite a frenetic third period and a few close calls.

The loss moves the Flames and Oilers into a tie for both wild card spots, and concludes the road trip with a 2-1-2 record for six points in five games.

Next up the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.

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