A demonstrative come from behind win in L.A. snaps an eight game losing streak, but sends the Flames to the Christmas break, making this writer wonder if the timing couldn’t be worse. For Johnny Gaudreau its the same story with three goals and then a break? No fair!
Neither are a concern in the end as the Flames eight game losing streak suddenly turns to 5 points in three games and Gaudreau takes a hat trick and adds two more tonight as the Flames shovel aside their provincial rivals by a 4-1 score.
The Flow
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The Oilers had some jump early to be honest, and harnessed the game’s first chance when Taylor Hall took a pass on a 2 on 1, but was foiled by Jonas Hiller. Then the game looked like the third period in L.A. all over again, with Calgary scoring three quick goals, two by Johnny Gaudreau and boom its 3-0 Calgary with the game only 11 minutes old.
The Oilers regain their composure and play the Flames even for the second twenty, run up some shots on two more powerplay opportunities, but fail to gain any traction as the period is scoreless. Both teams have chances, both goaltenders solid. The shots read 13-3 Edmonton though it’s hard to think of a single blue chip chance generated.
Much like the Canada game tonight, the home team re-enters the game in the third period and pushes the play back to their visitors. The Oilers climb to within two early, but the Flames dominate the period, out shooting the Oilers 13-5 through 15 minutes and snaring a Glencross goal to put the game back out of reach.
Three Stars
1.Johnny Gaudreau:Two more goals, giving him 5 in his last two games, and six in his last three. Amazing.
2.Curtis Glencross: Goal and an assist for the Flames veteran, giving him 7 tallies on the season.
3.Jonas Hiller: Stops 26 of 27 including a key save early against Hall to keep the game scoreless.
Big Save
Once again I’m going to stress time over a save’s chances of being end of the season highlight fodder, as Hiller stones Hall on an early two on one with the game still tied at zero. Fail to get across and stop that shot and who knows where this game goes with both teams being fragile.
The Goat
Victor Fasth. A fragile team, he was pulled in his last game and looking to make amends, yet he loses sight of the puck and gives Joe Colborne a freeby, and from there it’s pretty much academic given the current plight of the Oilers.
Mr. Clutch
Kris Russell. Great game again for Calgary’s quietest player. 25 minutes of ice time, some great transition hockey, and some slick moves on the offensive blueline to set up offensive chances. Great #3 dman in Calgary.
Odds and Ends
Mentioned to some friends and co workers before the season that I thought Gaudreau would lead the Flames in scoring in Mike Cammalleri’s absence this season, a prognosis that looked rough after 6 regular season games. Now the gap between Gaudreau and Giordano is down to six points however, as the rookie has moved his way up to third on the team in scoring. Wonder how that hat trick before Xmas will effect the rest of his season. … Gaudreau’s 2 goals tonight were the third fastest pair by a Calgary Flame in team history, trailing only Lanny McDonald and Joe Nieuwendyk. … One more Gaudreau note, his two points tonight move him to within three of Forsberg for the rookie scoring lead. … Tank or Rank? Not sure what stat I find more puzzling; the Oilers having one win in their last 20 games coming in, or Yakupov having only one point in those 20 games. Amazing. … Speaking of tanking, how do you only win one game in 20? Seems almost impossible to me, certainly in any season where the Flames have been bad in Calgary. When I was a kid the Jets, Rockies and Capitals were terrible, and the Oilers current run is reminiscent of that. … Good to see Joe Colborne back in the middle, albeit it takes the loss of Josh Jooris to do it. Colborne was 60% in the face off circle with a goal to boot tonight. … Would love to have seen that Sean Monahan’s cross bar clanging hit the cage and get the sophomore going. With Gaureau and Hudler in the groove on the first line, a suddenly hot Monahan would do a lot to make this six game homestand successful and put the Flames back in a playoff spot. He has now gone seven games without a goal. … Great Saturday night for Calgary hockey fans in watching Canada beat Germany and then the Flames beat the Oiler sin back to back games. Way too much fun. Hopefully we see the same thing on Monday night.
Next Up
The Flames continue this all important 6 home stand on Monday night when the L.A. Kings with thoughts of revenge hit Calgary. Game time 7pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Curtis Glencross – Sean Monahan – David Jones
Johnny Gaudreau – Markus Granlund – Jiri Hudler
Mason Raymond – Joe Colborne – Paul Byron
Brandon Bollig – Matt Stajan – Lance Bouma
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engellend – Raphi Diaz
Jonas Hiller
