Game Takes: Rangers 1 Flames 0

February 24th, 2015 | Posted in Game Takes | By: D'Arcy McGrath

Yogi Berra had a myriad of classic saying including; “when you come to a fork in the road take it”, or “it aint over till its over”. While the ex-Yankee was likely not much of a hockey fan, I’d suggest if he was he’s remark “you don’t win many games without scoring a goal”.

That was the case for the Flames in Manhattan on Tuesday night, as they played a solid road game but failed to beat backup goaltender Cam Talbot in bowing to the New York Rangers 1-0.

The Flow

Calgary started on their collective heel and if not for the work of Kari Ramo, they’d likely have been done early in this one. The Flames found their legs and pushed the play somewhat in the last few minutes of the period, but this was very much the Ranger show in the first.

Pretty much the same in the second. The shots may not show the full story as the Flames blocked a tonne of shots, but the Rangers drove the play substantially in the second and the Flames were lucky to escape with a scoreless tie. Some chances for Calgary included a three on one that had Monahan lose the handle and end up without shot.

A Denis Wideman bobble resulted in the game’s only goal in the third, off the stick of Kevin Hayes no less, and that was the difference in the game. Calgary pressed in the last four minutes and certainly had a chance or two, but the Rangers were full marks for the 1-0 win.

Three Stars

1.Kari Ramo: Felt he kept Calgary in it early, and couldn’t be faulted for the only one that beat him.
2.Cam Talbot: Only had 21 shots but was tested on a good 6 occasions to garner the shut out for the Rangers
3.Kevin Hayes: The woulda been coulda been Flame’s summer signing scored the game’s only goal on a Denis Wideman giveaway.

Big Save

Pretty easy. As much as I loved the Denis Wideman goal line stand, you have to give this one to Kari Ramo for his larcenous glove save on T.J. Miller in the first period. Off the post straight to his stick but a glove save takes away the easy goal.

The Goat

Still have to hang Wideman out for the giveaway in the third. Truthfully many similar turnovers led to other chances that could have easily been goals, but this one was the one goal in a one goal game, so yep, goat horns Mr. Wideman.

Mr. Clutch

Johnny Gaudreau. He was -1 for no fault of his own, but thought he was the biggest chance generator for the Flames in a game that resulted in few chances and zero goals for the local hero. Good sign that Gaudreau may have a solid road trip through his homeland.

Odds and Ends

Thought Kari Ramo re-entered the picture with his performance tonight. Really when you think of it he was solid against the Canucks and could only be faulted for one against the Bruins before being pulled last week. Tonight he was large. Gives Hartley a decision both tomorrow night and onwards on the trip…. Love the Michael Ferland fight. I get it that fighting is slipping in the NHL world, but to have a guy that can play and fight will be a huge factor as long as fighting isn’t out right banned. Did well to manage T.J. Miller in the scrap, wishing he would have had that dangling right hand circling behind his head as we’ve seen in his junior days. … Not a bad debut for Emile Poirier, didn’t get a whole lot done but stood out on is partial break in the second period, a play that wasn’t called, but could have resulted in a minor penalty. Was holding my breath for a penalty shot until I saw the replay. … Almost went with T.J. Brodie in the clutch role tonight. He had 26 minutes to the other three top four guy’s 23 minutes and really stood out. I love Mark Giordano, great player, but I don’t think its a stretch to say that this could be T.J. Brodie’s team in a year or two. He’s becoming a dominant player. … Have to assume that neither Raymond nor Stjan will be back for tomorrow night’s game so at least one of the young guys will play back to back. They could put in a call to Adirondack and bring Sven Baertschi up as well however. … Out of town the Flames got bad news in wins by Vancouver and Winnipeg, good news in the Wild falling to the Oilers, the Avalanche losing and the Coyotes dropping one. The Stars lost that Winnipeg game. Bottom line though, the Flames need to come home with seven or more points. … So trade deadline and Glencross will be traded. Do you do this deal now and avoid that Monday pinch? Do it now to avoid the possible injury to an injury historic player? Or wait until Monday and hope the scarcity of assets available get Calgary more than they deserve in a Glencross deal? … Another deadline question? Kari Ramo put on a show in New York, and could possible catch the attention of Eastern teams. Do you take a solid offer for Ramo and move him despite Ortio’s injury? And if so what would that return be? 2nd rounder? 3rd rounder? .. Fun times!

Next Up

The Flames are right back at it tomorrow night with a game across the river in Jersey against the Devils. Game time 5pm Sportsnet.

Lines:

Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – David Jones
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Curtis Glencross – Joe Colborne –
Michael Ferland – Markus Granlund – Emile Poirier

Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engelland – Rapha Diaz

Kari Ramo



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