Game Takes: Ducks 3 Flames 2

November 25th, 2014 | Posted in Game Takes | By: D'Arcy McGrath

Back in the day it was Buffalo where the Flames never won, making we wonder if they should just skip trips into upper New York, I mean who wants to go to Buffalo?

Today’s Flames will make the trip, as the players circle trips to California but tonight was the 19th straight time the Flames found a way to come up empty, this time a come from behind (almost) 3-2 loss in Anaheim to the Ducks.

The game left one feeling pretty positive given the push through out the game, putting aside my fears that the team was slipping with some spotty play in the last three home games.

The Flow

You knew the Ducks would come out strong, what with what the Flames managed to do to them last week on Saddledome ice and the fact that they seem to enjoy pasting the Flames ritually at the Honda Center. Shots, chances, too much time in their zone all culminating with a bank shot of Kris Russell’s skate and into the net to make it 1-0 for the hosts. To their credit though the Flames crawled back into the play largely on a good shift from the fourth line to settle things down.

The Flames continue their good play into the second, going on a 15-5 run in shots, but failing to convert on any of their chances. As expected the Ducks would be the next to score, taking advantage of a fortunate bounce to make it 2-0 on their first real possession of the second period. Once again the Flames stabilize but then get victimized by a brutal Palmeri goal with 16 seconds to play, a goal Hiller should have had.

All Calgary in the third, as the team pushes hard, gets shots, and then are rewarded with two late goals to make things very interesting. First TJ Brodie steps into a Sean Monahan pass to make it 3-1. Then Johnny Gaudreau appears to have make it 3-2 but upon review the goal is waved as the little guy clearly kicked the puck into the cage. Hudler makes it 3-2 with a tip on a Mark Giordano point shot to keep the Flames cardiac kids image alive.

Three Stars

1.Frederick Andersen: Ducks goalie outlays the Duck’s former goalie, stopping 32 of 34 shots in a tough night’s work at the Honda Center
2.Cory Perry: Other Ducks had more points, but only their goaltender had a greater impact. Great down low, scored a goal, had 5 shots on goal.
3.TJ Brodie: Goal and assist to pace the Flames, and did his usual up and down the ice forecheck backcheck game.

Big Save

With the score still 1-0 Ducks and the Flames pressing, Andersen makes back to back saves on Curtis Glencross after turning away a point shot on a Calgary powerplay.

The Goat

Jonas Hiller. Not all the guys fault as he had a Kris Russell off a skate goal, and an unlucky skate deflection end up with Perry’s goal, but he simply has to be more sharp on Palmeiri’s notch late in the second. Backbreaker as it turned out.

Mr. Clutch

Mark Giordano. Again the captain is all impact, with an assist, a +1 night, 1000 pinch ins, and 1300 clear outs. The guy does it all and just never stops. Amazing hockey player.

Odds and Ends

Have to admit I didn’t see the game on Saturday night, but thought Kris Russell was really fighting the puck tonight, since returning from an upper body injury. Some bad passes and reads on the Flames powerplay rushes in the second period looked especially out of character. … Have to give Sven Baertschi credit for the development of his overall game. Didn’t get a lot done on the score sheet tonight but he was noticeable for venturing into traffic areas and playing a more physical brand of hockey. Was even rewarded with some powerplay time in the third period … Another game with a Hiller softie tonight, a trend that we’ve seen since the last road trip and into this home stand. Ramo is slated to get the start tomorrow night in San José, you’d have to think it’s a heck of an opportunity for the Fin to take control of the cage. … Hasn’t taken me long to get comfortable with the new Ball/Hrudey Sportsnet team. Great play by play and commentary and a really good mix in how they work together. Only suggestion? Kelly enough with the “two minutes or less” (I kid). … Have to give those that suggested the masses should relax when the Flames broke camp with a largely veteran forward group. Tonight the Flames had only Glencross and Hudler up front with any real tooth length, the rest of the group were young vets or rookies up and down. … Some interesting comments from Bruce Boudreau before the game tonight. One, he compares the Flames to the Hawks for generating offence from the back end. Two, points out the difference in facing a ripped up Sean Monahan compared to his 19 year old version. Always interesting to hear comments from astute hockey men. … .

Next Up

The Flames short but tough road trip continues tomorrow night when the Flames visit the Sharks in San José. Game time 8.30pm on Sportsnet.

Lines:

Curtis Glencross – Sean Monahan – Paul Byron
Johnny Gaudreau – Markus Granlund – Jiri Hudler
Michael Ferland – Josh Jooris – Lance Bouma
Brandon Bollig – Corbin Knight – Sven Baertschi

Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Ladislav Smid – Deryk Engellend

Jonas Hiller



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