Calgary Puck

And there you have Jacob Markstrom’s first stolen points … not grand larceny but his second period, a hectic chaotic period by the Flames certainly felt like the difference in a 2-0 shut out win.

Calgary started strong with a solid first period, going ahead on a Johnny Gaudreau powerplay goal.

The second was an absolute mess however, with Markstrom getting left all alone way too many times … honestly amazing that Calgary kept the lead into the third period.

The third was much better for Calgary, but certainly not perfect. The Flames had a good deal of their own chances, firing wide often, and having a close call on a Joakim Nordstrom wrap around.

In the end the Flames hold on, Mikael Backlund hits the empty net and the Flames hand the Canadiens their first regulation loss of the season.

Next up Winnipeg, then Winnipeg, and then well, Winnepeg.

– Full Article –

Through five games and a .500 record there was lots to like in the Calgary Flames overall game. A suggestion for better times ahead, and perhaps an argument that maybe just maybe they deserved a better fate.

Tonight’s 4-2 loss in Montreal? Not the case at all as the final score flattered the Flames with two late goals in the third to make it look like a better hockey game than it was.

Out special teamed in the firsd, a collapse in the second, and some serious score effects in the third marched this snoozer into the loss column from the early going.

A lot of the positives that I took out of both Toronto losses early this week were completely absent in this one.

Is Montreal that good? Or was Calgary, in this one, just really really bad?

– Full Article –

The game starts at seven.

Seven.

On the nose.

The Flames may want to remember that as the team laid an egg for the second time in three games, before rebounding and making it a game.

Tonight a 0-2 deficit and a 1-10 shot differential in the fist before finding their game and making it interesting, even tying it 3-3 in the third before the Leafs found the go ahead goal and won the game by a 4-3 score.

Lots to like again in this one, but some issue as well, as the Flames continue to build off an uneven schedule start to the season.

– Full Article –

Honestly that was a good hockey game.

With one team travelling across the country and the other on a five day hiatus, the afternoon start had the makings of an ugly game for at least one if not both teams at Saddledome today.

Instead it was a spirited affair with the Toronto Maple Leafs scoring three goals off unintentional deflections to pare back the Flames by a 3-2 score.

Toronto went up 3-1 early in the third, with the Flames scoring a powerplay goal before pushing hard to the buzzer for the equalizer. A bounce here or there going the other way could have been a very different outcome.

– Full Article –

Jacob Markstrom’s shut out string against his former teammates may have ended around the 70 minute mark, but you could make the argument it actually hasn’t ended as of yet.

The Flames turned a terrible first period around and pretty much ran the Canucks out of the Saddledome with a decisive 5-2 victory, with both Vancouver goals coming off the stick or leg of Calgary defensemen.

The Flames now 2-0-1 are off to a great start, and now embark on a five day break before hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday afternoon at the Saddledome.

With Vancouver now 1-3, and Edmonton 1-3 the division is starting to separate a little earlier than most would have expected.

– Full Article –