I’ll admit it … with each weak effort this season I’ve had a resounding feeling of the left shoe dropping, the Flames hot start coming to an end, and reality setting in. That feeling that the jig is up.
And like every other time, tonight after a stinker in Carolina the Flames served notice that they refuse to be that top five pick team this year, out playing the Arizona Coyotes from coast to coast in a 5-3 home ice victory.
That pinch me minute will have to wait!
The Flow
The Flames did everything you could ask for a first period back after a long road trip; they skated. Often returning teams can’t find their mojo on home ice but the Flames took the play to the Coyotes and were unfortunate to come out of the first tied at one.
The second was all Calgary, and well Hiller. The Flames pushed ahead by two on goals by Byron and Monahan, and were cruising to a relatively easy win when a powerplay play strike and a softie on Hiller had the game tied up at three with 6 minutes to play. The Flames struck right back however, on a pretty four on four goal by Mark Giordano to retake the lead to the third.
The Flames ground out the third, and found some breathing room when David Jones scored a fluke goal midway through the period, allowing the team and the fans to breath easy. Paul Byron almost found the net for a hat trick empty netter but hit the goal post.
Three Stars
1.Paul Byron: So fitting after so many break away chances this season that he scores twice in the game’s first 25 minutes to move his goal total to three on the season. Had a breakaway in the third but came up empty, and missed an empty netter.
2.Sven Baertschi: Didn’t think I’d type that this season honestly, but he was full marks for setting up Byron twice, the first with a fortuitous bounce, but the second was money. Solid offensive game for the project.
3.Mark Giordano:Game winning goal, six shots on goal, and with that goal he extended his point streak to eight games.
Big Save
None bigger than the breakaway stop by Mike Smith in the third against Paul Byron. Not only did it give his team a chance to come back, but it robbed the tiny forward of his first NHL hat trick.
The Goat
The Arizona blue line. Either this group is molasses slow, or the Flames have really become a rocket burner squad, because the Flames were beating the Coyotes wide on rushes all night. Matadors do a better job tying up bulls.
Mr. Clutch
Sean Monahan. So impresses with this guy this season. I was leery of the sophomore jinx, but instead he’s taken his game to another level, improved his shot, is better on face offs and more physical down low. Becoming a complete player.
Odds and Ends
The sitting of Brandon Bollig and the attempted scratch of Devin Setoguchi is a good step towards continued merit in the Flames organization. Setoguchi has been largely ineffective, though its more difficult to judge given his lesser responsibility role. Has he been bad? Or has he just been a typical 4th line guy that doesn’t get a whole lot done? Interesting debate. Good to see McGrattan inserted but I think their role in general is on the decline more than their individual play. Loubardias put it well on Sportsnet radio today, in pointing out how fast the game is this year. If you can’t get there you can’t get there. Good point. … My fingers are crossed that the Flames will be a playoff team come American Thanksgiving. Is it a guarantee for a playoff spot? Far from it, as I looked it up and an average of 3 of 16 teams manage to find their way out after Thanksgiving each year, but it’s an interesting conversation in a season that was supposed to be lost. Will be tough though with the conference coming hard after them. … Never thought I’d be score board watching the Kings this season, but with the Flames win and the Kings currently losing against Dallas the Flames have bounced back into third place in the division pushing the Kings back to the wild card spot. Tough sledding to hold off L.A., San José and Chicago, all of which are pushing up the standings. … Will be interesting to see if Baertschi can build on his best game on this recall. He is getting more comfortable and showing more poise and thought with the puck. That line with Byron and Jooris had good chemistry. … Speaking of Jooris, this guy has to stick doesn’t he? He and Granlund are simply too established to go back now. We may see a deal like the Habs deal to move Moen out this week.
Next Up
The Flames 5 game home stand continues on Saturday night when the Senators come a calling. Game time 8pm on HNIC.
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Lines:
Curtis Glencross – Sean Monahan – David Jones
Johnny Gaudreau – Markus Granlund – Jiri Hudler
Sven Baertschi – Josh Jooris – Paul Byron
Brandon Bollig – Lance Bouma – Brian McGrattan
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Ladislav Smid – Deryk Engellend
Jonas Hiller
