Since the new year, the Red Wings had played 17 of 23 games on the road before coming home to face the Rangers on Tuesday. That first game back can be tough but since then, they have been sitting at home waiting for the tired and road-weary Flames. Joe Louis arena is a tough building to play in at the best of times, but the deck was really stacked against the Flames in this one.
So what do the Flames do? Tired, road-weary, emotional shoot-out game last night, and get into town very late – they could have rolled over in this one. But not a chance. They survived the Wings’ push. They blocked shots and frustrated Detroit at every turn. And they hung around until they get their game going. And then, despite spotting Detroit a 2-0 lead, they pot 5 unanswered goals and win their third consecutive game without their captain. Will this team ever stop amazing us? Is there no end to their resilience? Forget Corsi and advanced stats. Forget that they seem to get outplayed most nights. This team just keeps winning. Tonight, they did it again, with another hard fought, gutsy, come-from-behind, 5-2 win. Amazing!
The Flow
The Flames tried to get off to a good start and looked to be skating well, but only 3 minutes in, Abdelkader got behind the defense, went in alone on Hiller, and beat him clean to give Detroit the early lead. Five minutes later, Abdelkader connected again, this time on the power play, tipping in a nice cross-crease pass from Zetterberg, and things weren’t looking good. But shortly afterwards, the Flames got a PP of their own, and for the third consecutive game, Monahan potted a first period goal. Wideman made a nice play to keep it in on the blue-line, got it over to Russell, and he sent a shot in on Howard. Monahan picked up the rebound in front with Howard prone, and he patiently stepped around him and the defenders, to easily slide it into the open net, cutting the lead in half. Despite some good pressure from the Wings, the first ended with the score 2-1. Shots in the opening frame were 14-7 for the Wings.
The second started the same way, with the Wings controlling the play and keeping the pressure on the Flames. In one telling shift, however, the Flames must have blocked 6 or 7 shots at least – led by Russell and Wideman of course. Even Gaudreau blocked one. The Wings kept the pressure on, and looked at times like they were on the power play – which shouldn’t have been a surprise since they actually had 6 skaters on the ice for an extended shift. The refs finally noticed and the Flames went to the PP. Nothing doing on this one though. After more Wings’ pressure the Flames were called for icing. Hartley used his time-out even though it was only 5 minutes into the second. And what a call it was. Off the draw, the Flames got it out of the zone, Bollig skated it through centre and fired a wrist shot purposely off the lively Detroit boards. It bounced out to the face-off circle where a hustling Matt Stajan met it with a one-time slap shot that went post and in on Howard. Tie game. A few minutes later, Wideman passed it up nicely out of the zone to Monahan, who took it over the blue-line and fed it to Hudler. He circled into a good shooting lane and beat Howard to the far side with a nice wrist shot. Suddenly it was 3-2 Flames and the Wing faithful were stunned. Hartley’s timeout stopped the bleeding and Stajan’s goal changed the momentum. After Hudler’s goal, the Wings had lost their mojo. Shots in the second were 15-8 for the Wings. Hits and face-offs were pretty even in the first two periods but blocked shots were 13-3 for the Flames.
In the 3rd, the Flames played a very smart road game. The Wings looked like they were dumbfounded by the Flames. How could they have so much possession time and so many shot attempts, and yet be trailing? Well Detroit, get in line, you’re not the first team to feel this way! About 7 minutes in, with the Flames fore-checking, Drew Shore got the puck in the corner and passed it to Raymond who snapped it passed Howard to make it 4-2. It was Shore’s first point as a Flame. The Wings got a late penalty, but Backlund took the puck up ice short-handed and fired a shot that trickled through Howard but stopped on the goal-line. No goal. Detroit pulled their goalie with well over 3 minutes left. Russell and Monahan had chances but couldn’t find the empty cage. After winning a face-off, the Flames got it out of the zone and up the ice. Gaudreau got it to Backlund, who could have scored, but he passed it to Hudler who made no mistake and ended Detroit’s hopes. It was Hudler’s 2nd of the night. Despite being dominated for the first half of the game, the Flames turned it around and played a really strong 3rd. Shots were 9-6 for the Flames in the final frame, but 35-24 Wings, overall.
Three Stars
1.Sean Monahan: A goal and an assist, over 19 minutes of ice-time, and 60% in the face-off circle
2.Jiri Hudler: Two goals, including the game winner
3.Dennis Wideman: Two assists, 6 blocked shots, 26 1/2 minutes of ice-time. He and Russell were really good again.
Note: Justin Abdelkader had 2 goals and was also deserving, but there were too many Flames that needed to be mentioned.
Big Save
There were several late in the first and early in the second. With the score 2-1 Detroit, and the Wings applying constant pressure, Hiller made several big saves to keep the Flames in it. With about 6 minutes left in the first, Cole got a rebound right in front and had Hiller at his mercy. But Hiller denied him. Shots were 29-15 after 2 periods. Every one of the numerous shots with the score 2-1 are my big save for the night.
The Goat
The Detroit bench. The Wings were dominating but early in the 2nd, with Detroit owning the play, they somehow sent 6 players out on the ice – and not just for a moment, but for an entire sequence of action. The penalty killed their momentum and that, along with Hartley’s time-out, led to Stajan’s goal, which completely changed the game.
Mr. Clutch
Matt Stajan. First game back after a very significant personal leave. With the Flames down 2-1 and Detroit really controlling the play, the Flames came up the ice and Bollig fired it off the end boards. Stajan raced into the zone and perfectly timed a one-timer. It was exactly on the mark, off the far post and in to tie the game. The Wings were never the same after that.
Odds and Ends
Detroit is on their way to making the playoffs for the 24th consecutive season. You simply have to tip your hat. Yes, there was a period where they had the money to buy a powerhouse team. And then they were fortunate to be able to ride the coat-tails of Nick Lidstrom and Pavel Datsuyk. But even though Datsyuk is still there, you have to be impressed with the way they continue to retool, and continue to be one of the better teams in the league… But the Flames were in town tonight. And more often than not, that means trouble for the hosts… Matt Stajan returned to the lineup after missing 5 games while his wife was giving birth. To the absolute joy of everyone in town, all is well and everyone is healthy in the Stajan household. Seeing him playing again was definitely a reason to smile. Seeing him get a goal and be a key contributor to the win was even better… Gaudreau was on the ice and a key part of the play for all 3 of the Flames’ first 3 goals, but didn’t make the score sheet. So it was nice to see him get an assist on Hudler’s empty netter… The Flames have now guaranteed an above .500 road trip, with their 4th win in 6 games so far with one more to play. New York, Long Island, Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit are ALL buildings in which the Flames have had very little success in recent years. And with the injury to Giordano, it could have gotten ugly. But no worries, the Flames simply don’t know how to give up. With the win, the Flames catch Vancouver and Winnipeg, all with 76 points, though the Canucks have one game in hand. The Flames are now 6-1-1 in the 2nd game of back-to-backs – just another example of their determination and resilience… Jiri Hudler had his 3rd consecutive 2 point game (4G 2A). He has 5 2 point games in his last 10… Sean Monahan has 12 points in his last 10 games, including 7 goals…
Next Up
The final game of the big 7-game, Brier road trip is up on Sunday when the Flames visit Ottawa. Game time is 5PM on City (channel 219 on Calgary Shaw)
Lines:
Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – Joe Colborne
Brendan Bollig – Matt Stajan – Mason Raymond
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Michael Ferland – Drew Shore – Josh Jooris
Deryk Engelland – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Dave Schlemko – Rapha Diaz
Jonas Hiller
