There are special nights then special nights. This one was well pretty special.
To really appreciate a win I think you have to taste or comprehend a tough loss. Starting a key elimination game down 3-0 certainly does the trick in pondering defeat. It feels hopeless yet also hopeful given the chaotic come from behind wins that the Flames have enjoyed all season. As a group in the building we discusses how early they got down and how that essentially plays into their hands. They’re not a good team with the lead, but they’re deadly when they’re behind, and when the behind happens early they have all night to come back.
And they did.
The Flames stared into the face of a 3-0 first period crater, shook it off, outscored the Canucks 7-1 the rest of the way in a thrilling come from behind 7-4 win at the Saddledome.
Bring on the Ducks!
The Flow
About as strange a first period as we’ve seen this year with the Canucks scoring 3 goals on 5 shots and chasing Hiller. Scoring chances were 7-4 Calgary in the first, but they needed a late goal by Michael Ferland to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 3-1 trail heading to the second. The Canucks score early when MacMillan picks up a rebound. Soon after Hansen scores as he rags the puck up the ice, his wrister going high glove save seconds after a Calgary powerplay expires. Then with Ramo replacing Hiller, Vrbata tips in a Sedin pass to make it 3-0. The dome was in shock, but you just had this feeling that if you’re going to get down get down early, and keep coming at them.
The second period was likely even more odd than the first. The Flames strike back to back with the top line striking on both occasions, first Monahan on a rebound, and then a few minutes later Gaudreau from Hudler. In between the Flames ice the puck 5 times and are under siege in their own zone. In fact the first 10 minutes of the second are all Vancouver despite Calgary’s two goals and a tie score. The Canucks are rewarded when a Sbisa point shot goes through a maze putting the visitors up a goal again. The Flames find their legs and push hard for the final five minutes or so setting up an interesting third period.
Best third period of the season? That’s a bold statement given the number of times they’ve come back this year (and now twice more in this series), but yeah I’ll say best period final period of the season. The Flames tie it up when Hudler takes a tip pass from Monahan that goes wide, but he collects it and puts it home and the game is all tied again. The period is pretty much all Calgary but the clock continues to click onward and it looks very much like its going to overtime. Not so fast! A turnover for the third line leads to a scramble in front of Miller and a rebound bouncing out to Matt Stajan who scores the game winner with a perfect shot to the top corner, his first career playoff goal. Calgary puts it away when Gaudreau carries it out of the zone, gives it to Monahan who passes up the shot and gives it to Hudler to make it 6-4 with an empty netter. Michael Ferland scores another empty netter to make it a 7-4 final.
Three Stars
1.Jiri Hudler: Four points is amazing, but the poise to take the wide puck out front and bang it home in the third to tie the score was epic. Great game for the veteran.
2.Matt Stajan: Jut love this guy. Scores the game winner but just as importantly he sets up Ferland for the all important climb back goal in the first period to start the comeback.
3.Sean Monahan/JOhnny Gaudreau: Toss up between Gaudreau and Monahan for the third star. Who do you pick? Monahan scores the second goal early in the third and then sets up the tying goal in the third. Gaudreau also nets three points and scores the third goal that tied things up in the second. Monahan had his best game of the series. Is he back?
Big Save
With just over a minute left Henrik Sedin is inexplicably all alone in front of the net looking to tie things up and send the game to overtime but Ramo bursts out of his crease and poke checks the puck away. Had Miller’s save on Bennett as the early favourite, but this one takes it for drama and timing.
The Goat
Ryan Miller. You can’t give up 5 goals on 31 shots in an elimination game. You can’t. He simply wasn’t good enough. The Flames chased Lack in game four, failed to generate much in game five, but then went full octane in game six to light up Miller. After his disappointment in St. Louis last year his big ticket contract is hurtful now.
Mr. Clutch
Michael Ferland. Could have been a game star with a three point night but his first period goal was a game turner, and his hit on Bieksa in the third really got things rolling. I could have guessed a rookie in Gaudreau would have been big in the first round, but didn’t see Ferland coming as all.
Odds and Ends
Not sure if Mikael Backlund intended his “we won’t lose at home” comment to sound like a guarantee, but I don’t blame those that took it that way. The contrast for me however is this team versus the Iginla lead teams from 2006 to 2009 that almost beat themselves with self pressure rather than thinking they would win. A young team that honestly believes the red crowd behind them will make them victorious is a great start towards the cultural change that was badly needed in Calgary. Ironic that they actually had a good start, but still ended up down three in the first period … So Sean Monahan makes his first real appearance in the first round, maybe he’s not hurt after all. Its funny how one game can make a series. He has two points in 5 games and three in game six to make his series look respectable both in terms of points and plus/minus. Really same for the line. If they’ve refound the magic it may make the Ducks series somewhat interesting. … Not to put a damper on things but noticed Hartley demoted Sam Bennett in the third period, moving him to the fourth line in favour of Mason Raymond. Bennett all of 18 years is going to see adjustments, so its not big deal, and the Backlund line really didn’t get a whole lot done with the switch anyway. I might have missed it but I wonder if it was resonant from the high stick in the first period? Or a turnover in the second? … Would have to assume that Hartley goes with Ramo in game one against Anaheim given he tended the cage for the comeback. The Hiller pull wasn’t really performance based so maybe he goes back to him. Will be interesting to see. … My game by game Wotherspoon watch sees his ice time drop back to Potter like 3 minutes. Not a good sign, but also expected in a game where the Flames had to drive the play to come back. Will continue to be something to watch in the second round. They really need some ice time from the rookie to spell the top three. … TJ Brodie was simply amazing again tonight and I’d have to say Calgary’s best player in the series. One assist, plus 2 and 29 minutes tonight, second only to Russell. Have to wonder how this guy will look in the cup final when he’s rejoined by Giordano (yep, having fun here). … Derryk Engellend continues to prove his contract isn’t the laughing matter that many suggested as he leads the Flames with 10 blocked shots tonight. He’ll never wow in puck moving, skating or skill level, but the guy is a warrior. … Another guy that doesn’t float easily into the limelight but deserves a tonne of credit for his first round? David Jones. Two goals, three assists for five points in six games to trail only Hudler and Gaudreau in scoring in the series. He had a solid regular season and now has followed it up with a stellar post season. How often do you see a trade that looks to be lost suddenly turn around and come up win? He’s been money this season. Good guy. … As I’ve said before in this series, I hate ugly lists. I hate 5 years out of the playoffs, but they fixed that. Tonight they also erased no series wins since 2004, another ugly list exorcized. Love it! … Hartley was quick to point out the uniqueness of the Saddledome crowd tonight, and with that I too have to tip my hat. It is special. Its just as loud and more consistent than 2004, and all this in a building that doesn’t lend itself to acoustics. well done guys. My ears are ringing and my voice is shot. That was my daughter’s first playoff game. Needless to say she loved it.
Next Up
Game one of the Conference semi finals, or is it the division final? Either way the Flame are heading to Disneyland to take on the Ducks. I’m guessing Wednesday or Thursday night. Late games again, but man am I hoping the home dates are at 7!
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Joe Colborne
Michael Ferland – Matt Stajan – David Jones
Brandon Bollig – Josh Jooris – Mason Raymond
TJ Brodie – Deryk Engelland
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
David Schlemko – Kyle Wotherspoon
Jonas Hiller
