Expectations can be an anvil that weighs down the ability to perform under bright lights and pounding scrutiny.
The Calgary Flames, however, delivered exactly what the paying customers expected last night, as they unveiled the 2014-15 season at the Saddledome.
A plucky effort.
A team struggling to score.
A one goal game (empty netter).
And the ability to find a way to lose.
Just like following a recipe on the back of a cereal box. The season has begun.
The Flow
Did the Flames lose this game in the first period? Sure looked that way. Off to a great start with spark and chances, then handed back to back powerplays for a minute long 5 on 3? Should be enough to get you on the board, but instead it was Miller coming up big, and holding the fort until the Canucks could find their game and go to work. A fortunate powerplay deflection gives the Nucks a first period lead.
The second period was a lot like the tail end of the first with Calgary on their heels. Hiller was solid to keep the game close and push the game into the third period within reach. The Flames tie the game up on a Paul Byron shot (Canuck turn over) only to have two quick ones go in for the visitors and a two goal lead. A late Hudler goal makes it close and sets up an interesting third period.
Calgary’s best period of the night, the Flames pushed and the Canucks sat on a lead, giving Calgary domination for the final 12 minutes of play and numerous chances. Some bad puck luck, and some timely saves by Miller left the game down to an empty netter to salt things away.
Three Stars
1.Henrik Sedin: Goal and an assist for the Canucks captain, appears to be adjusting well to his new linemate.
2.Radim Vrbata: Said linemate seems to be adjusting to the twins as well, scored the game winner out of mid air in the second.
3.Mark Giordano: Always the safe pick for a rebuilding club, solid game as per usual. Picked up an assist in 25+ minutes of ice time.
Big Save
Daniel Sedin was sprung in the second with the Flames listing defensively, the slick Swede picked a spot over Hiller’s right pad but the Swiss topper got enough of it, sending the puck skidding off the goal post and back into his clutches.
Big Hit
Pesky Alex Burrows caught Dennis Wideman playing preseason hockey in the Flames corner, staggering the Flames defender with a shoulder to the sternum. Big hit, big result.
The Goat
Mikael Backlund had a tough night trying to reign in the Canucks’ number one unit. Didn’t get anything done offensively, and ended -3 on the night, the team’s worst.
Mr. Clutch
I like Kris Russell’s game, and good on the Flames for sticking an “A” on his jersey. The honour comes after a solid preseason where Russell was the team’s best player, and a sign that the organization sees great things for the scrappy little defender.
Odds and Ends
16 minutes of work for Gaudreau in his home debut and he didn’t look out of place. Highlights included the long drop pass to the rookie to charge into the Canucks zone on a first period powerplay, and his toe drag to the middle attempt to tie the game late. Left me wondering how things would have gone down if Gaudreau wasn’t leaving the ice spent when the second minor was called in the first. Gaudreau on a two man advantage might have been the difference in getting that quick powerplay goal. … The Flames owned the face off circle (not something you see every day!), with Colborne winning 69% of his draws, and Backlund 65%. Monahan was 58% himself. Mattias and Vey were both in the 25% range for the visitors. … Thought Sven Baertschi’s candid interview in the Sun was refreshing, whether he put the issue of his Dad saying he wanted out to bed is up to each reader, but he didn’t run from it, agreeing that it looked bad. His attitude does seem to be righted, I’ll give him that much. I’m guessing he has 40 games in Calgary at least this winter. … Does the Backlund line struggles against the Sedin’s mean an end to the Lance Bouma up the roster experiment? It’s a different looking team if Bouma’s on the fourth line, Stajan is centering line #3 and Colborne is back on the wing. … Calgary fans love their youth, biggest intro cheers went to Gaudreau, Monahan and Bennett on the bench in a suite. Only vet that came close was Mark Giordano. You always feel bad for the non-descript player like Engellend entering to polite applause.
Next Up
Right back at it, the Flames are in Edmonton tonight to help the Oilers welcome back their past in a splashy Gretzky led opening ceremony. Carpets come off the ice by 7.30 for puck drop.
Lines:
Curtis Glencross – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – Mason Raymond
Johnny Gaudreau – Joe Colborne – Paul Byron
Brandon Bollig – Matt Stajan – Brian McGrattan
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Deryk Engellend
Ladislav Smid – Dennis Wideman
Jonas Hiller
