Jiri Hudler has done a lot of great things for the Calgary Flames since he signed a four year contract in the summer of 2012, the same day as Dennis Wideman.
He’s been productive, won a Lady Byng Trophy and helped mentor young Flames players, especially the likes of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan both last season and again of late this month.
Lately however it looks like he has one more gift for the club, that is market value as he continues to chip in offensively, including a great physical play in the third in Vancouver, setting up Monahan for the game winner in a 4-1 over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
The Flow
The Flames haven’t set the bar all that high this season, winning only 7 of 24 dates coming into this season, but their first period tonight in Vancouver was about as solid of a road period as the club has walked out this season to start a game. They kept the Canucks to the outside and limited their scoring chances. When the Canucks did get control, they collapsed down low and took away the shooting lanes. The Flames got the period’s only powerplay, but were dreadful in getting setup and generating any true chances to score. Best chance in the period, probably a Ferland one timer on a pass from Jooris. No score through 20 minutes.
A great start for the Flames in the second as the top line had a 75 second shift of pressure that could easily have resulted in the game’s first goal. The Flames do push through though when TJ Brodie rips up the ice to join the rush, takes a pass and then finds Frolik with a backhand pass that was an easy tap in. 1-0 Flames. The Canucks take over from there though, running up the shots and the scoring chances, but the Flames were solid in protecting down low and Hiller was good when he needed to be. Some of Vancouver’s best chances came on a late Bennett penalty. Shots 18-9 Vancouver in the period, but the Flames hold on.
I honestly had that feeling that the Flames would give the old college try to protecting a 1-0 lead on the road in Vancouver; it’s been their thing this season. So colour me surprised when the Flames walked out and out shot the Canucks in the third period, scoring once the old fashioned way and two more into an empty net to walk away with a 4-1 win on Hockey Night in Canada. The game winner, as it turns out came when Jiri Hudler of all people bumped a guy off the puck down low and centered the puck to Sean Monahan who wired it for a 2-0 lead. Michael Backlund outworked two Canuck defenders to score an empty netter, which pretty much salted it away. The Canucks foiled Hiller’s shut out late and Sam Bennett added another empty netter as the Flames put away their rivals.
Three Stars
1.TJ Brodie: What leg injury? Brodie logs 27+ minutes, sets up the game’s first goal on an amazing burst of speed and a backhand pass and then adds another assist on an empty netter.
2.Emerson Etem: Broke Hiller’s shut out late and was noticeable all night for the Canucks.
3.Jonas Hiller: Shame he had a shut out for 58.5 minutes, but I’m sure he’ll take it. Stops 34 of 35 shots.
Big Save
Josh Jooris took the line in the first period, waded into traffic and then spun and found Micheal Ferland with a one timer in the slot that Miller had to smother through traffic.
The Goat
A little unfair given the two empty net goals late but Bo Horvat chalked up a -3 night on only 13 minutes of ice time.
Mr. Clutch
Michael Backlund. Playing with so much confidence these days, he’s really helping the team establish a top six that is effective. His line with Sam Bennett and Michael Frolik has been the team’s best for most of the new year. Scored a great empty net goal due to his second and third effort.
Odds and Ends
Watching Sam Bennett against the Jackets had me thinking just how much for this story is going to get as he adds experience, age and bulk. Rivalry games in enemy barns like the one tonight in Vancouver are exactly the type of game I expect to see Bennett at his best. Tonight? Picked up an assist on the Monahan goal and added an empty netter. Probably not lights out, but a solid road performance. … Speaking of Vancouver, just not the same game or team that the Flames had to face over the years. The Sedin twins are still very much in play but the Canucks just aren’t the same scary offensive team as they were in previous seasons. Coming in tonight the Flames had scored 11 more goals in one less game, league wide the Canucks are 26th in goals per game at 2.33, the Flames 2.60 goals per game. … What is it about Vancouver that brings out the best in Micheal Ferland? His first period included a great scoring chance, he hit both Sedins then as an answer he had Sbisa come after him for a scrap, which resulted in a decision for the Flame’s player. I don’t think I’ll miss the goon on goon scrap now that it’s vacated the NHL, but a good bout for a guy hitting your players is fun, especially if said physical player is ready and able to answer the bell. … Speaking of Bennett again, his empty netter was his 14th of the season putting him on pace for 23 goals on the season. If he manages that feat it will be three straight seasons the Flames have had a 20 goal rookie. So who’s stepping up next year? Can’t see it in the system right now, but a lottery win (1st, 2nd or 3rd round) would give the Flames a hot young Fin or an American playing in Switzerland and a solid chance at a club record fourth in a row. … On the out of town scoreboard you have the Leafs and Oilers getting blown out, so the Flames move two full games ahead of both; even games with the Leafs and still games in hand on the Oilers. Looks like a Jets win tonight though keeping the two clubs tied. If you’re looking upward, the win gives the Flames an eight point gap to make up on the Ducks who have two games in hand.
Next Up
Next up the circus comes to town when the Maple Leafs visit the Flames at the Saddledome, game time 7pm on Sportsnet. The good news? The Leafs suck so the blue clad Heroin beer swilling mob won’t be that annoying. The bad news? The Flames aren’t all that good either.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Lance Bouma – Josh Jooris- David Jones
Micheal Ferland – Matt Stajan – Brandon Bollig
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Derryk Engellend – Ladislav Smid
Jonas Hiller
