So many stories to lead for this one, a 3-1 Calgary win in New Jersey on Wednesday night.
You have Curtis Glencross scoring a goal and adding a fight in what could be his last game in Calgary (if cranked up rumours are true), you have the Flames winning a big game to secure two points and climb back into a playoff spot, and of course a late injury to the guy that stirs the drink in Calgary, Mark Giordano, a ding that could single handedly sink the Flames late season chances.
Take your pick.
The Flow
The Flames had a good start for once, jumping on the Devils early using the stretch pass and their team speed. Schneider was equal to the early task though, and the Devils grabbed some momentum when they walked out a very effective powerplay, pinning the Flames in their own zone and getting four shots and numerous scoring chances. Calgary survives and goes back to work, with the Monahan line leading the way with all kinds of jump, but they fail to score. A failed Brodie pass into the neutral zone hits a skate and sends Tootoo and Cammalleri in on a two on one, the former Flame hitting the twine, his 5th goal in 4 games. Calgary pushes again with a late powerplay and more work from Gaudreau but can’t tie it up.
Second period stats will show the Devils out played the Flames, as the shot clock registered 7-3 Jersey at one point, and finished 9-9 despite Calgary having territorial advantage. With the 1-0 loss in New York City fresh on everyone’s minds it was disconcerting to see the game go to the midpoint still 1-0 Jersey. Some close calls around Ramo keep the game at a goal differential before Joe Colborne finds soon to be ex-Flame Curtis Glencross wide open with just 13 second left in the period to tie the game at one. Goal drought over!
The Flames stretched out a two goals in a minute streak by scoring just 35 seconds into the final period, when Giordano fired a slap pass to Monahan who tipped home his 21st of the season to put the Flames up 2-1, the eventual game winner. From there the Flames continue to get chances, including another Gaudreau chance where he tips the puck in to Schneider’s pads where it bounces around but stays out of the net. The Devils push a few more times, and are even rewarded a late powerplay chance but TJ Brodie ices it with the empty netter, his 10th of the season.
Three Stars
1.Kari Ramo: First star in back to back nights as Ramo gives up only one goal again tonight. Sure clouds the goaltending situation in Calgary again.
2.Mike Cammalleri: Happy to see Mike Cammalleri having a good season, he was a likable Flame. Glad, however, that his good night tonight stopped at one goal and a few other chances and didn’t sink his former team.
3.Johnny Gaudreau: No points to show for it, and he further nuked his Lady Bing chances with a minor penalty, but the best player on the ice setting up chances and finding some himself.
Big Save
Tempting to pick any of the four saves Ramo made on the Devil’s first period powerplay, he was sensational. But I’m going with his stop on Henrique midway through the second when the Devils took a broken play to break in on a four on two. Great pad save through traffic at a point in the game that could easily have buried Calgary.
The Goat
Almost Mikael Backlund. The Flames need the two points too badly to have a miscue of flipping the puck over the glass to put his team down two men for the final 45 seconds. The Flames survive it, but a player has to bear down on those plays in a tight playoff race.
Mr. Clutch
Going with Curtis Glencross. His goal was huge late in the second period, as it was looking like Calgary was never going to score a goal again. His first period scrap showed to the East how versatile of a player he can be. Was never a fan of the Glencross game on the ice, but really liked the guy himself. If that was it I wish him the best of luck and I’m glad he got a memorable close out game.
Odds and Ends
I have to wonder if Nick Kypreos is close but not quite getting the story right with the Flames goings on behind the scenes. I can see the Flames wanting to move veterans like Stajan and Raymond in a thinly supplied market, but I don’t see them needing to move money to do anything else given how low they are in the payroll standings. With Arizona following the around and Maloney suggesting they’d take salary with the team having difficulty attracting free agents there could be a match. … Monahan’s goal was his 21st of the season, one back of his career best of last season. Such an amazing start to his career. It was also his 10th goal in the third period. With the game winner and an assist on a key late faceoff creating the empty net goal, Monahan could have been a game star, but had to go with Gaudreau. …. TJ Brodie’s goal gives the Flames 10 ten goal scorers this season, tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ironically, Curtis Glencross who could have very well played his last game and scored his last goal in Flame’s colours is next in line with 9. … Sam Bennett with a goal, two assists and a +3 night in his OHL debut, good start! The Frontenacs have 12 more games on the schedule, any bets on Bennett putting up 20 points this season? Certainly off to a good start, needing 17 more in 12 games. His 1.61 points per game record last season suggests he should aim higher. … If Mark Giordano is really hurt you have to think the Flames are in some pretty serious doo doo. On the road with 5 tough game to go on this trip, and without your captain and best player? Other teams have had serious injuries, but Calgary’s ability to keep the big two defenseman healthy have made their season. Fingers crossed. … the win vaults Calgary over the Wild, ahead of the Sharks by two points, and into a tie with LA though they have games in hand. Most importantly I think is their move to within three points of Winnipeg and having a game in hand, a team they likely will have to beat out to get in.
Next Up
The seven game road trip continues in the region as the Flames head North and East to the play the Islanders, their last visit to Nassau County before the team moves to Brooklyn next year. Game time 5pm, Sportsnet.
Lines:
Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – David Jones
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Curtis Glencross – Joe Colborne – Josh Jooris
Michael Ferland – Markus Granlund – Emile Poirier
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engelland – Rapha Diaz
Kari Ramo
