If any Calgary fan has a road trip bucket list you may want to include Philly for your future travels. It always seems these two teams really put things on the line when they hook up both in Calgary and in the state of Pennsylvania, oh and that Gaudreau kid tends to really show up.
Tonight, under the shroud of the NHL trade deadline, the second straight year when said date went down with the Flames in Philadelphia, the Flames and Flyers, hit, bumped, bashed and scored their way to an eight goal entertaining contest, with the home Flyers skating away with a 5-3 victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.
For Calgary, a great battle as they move past their shed UFAs and attempt to develop and set the tone for next season.
The Flow
The Flames had a good start all things considered with the off ice chaos today. Jumped on the Flyers early and were rewarded with an early powerplay in which they scored. A great zone entry, followed by every one of the five players touching the puck before Gaudreau found Monahan in the slot for a one timer past Neuvirth for a 1-0 lead. Later in the period it looked like the Flayers tied it when Schenn put the puck into Hiller who swept the puck out quickly with his glove and arm. The replay suggested likely in but not conclusive so denied. A minute later Scheen of course, scores again and this time it counts as it’s 1-1 after one in Philly. … Monahan’s first period goal was his 20th of the season giving him back to back to back 20+ goal seasons to start his career which is not only amazing, but sort of subtle given the player’s demeanour and style of play. A great young player, with great players, but so little flash it kind of sneaks up on you.
Very entertaining second period, though not a kind one for the Flames. The Flyers go ahead 2-1 when Claude Giroux found Simmonds out front to make it 2-1 Flyers on a one timer that Hiller had little chance. Calgary had some great chances of their own including a Sam Bennett deflection off a Hamilton pass and a Monahan Gaudreau chance down low that was foiled by Neuvirth. Late in the period the Flyers doubled their lead when Schenn scored his second of the night on a deflection that might have gone off his foot and past Hiller. And he wasn’t done … with another late powerplay Schenn hits the net again to complete his hat trick (for if you include the reviewed non goal) and it’s 4-1 Philly through two.
Don’t tell the Flames their season is over, as the club answers firmly to being down three goals through two periods with a spirited third period where they carry the play and crawl back to within one goal before finally having it slip away. First Micheal Ferland corrals a Sam Bennett attempt and roofs it to make it 4-2, then less than a minute later Michael Frolik beats Neuvirth on a weak one to make it 4-3. Calgary gets a few more chances including Dougie Hamilton marching in and firing wide, and a Monahan shot that is turned aside by Neuvirth. Flyers hit the empty net to make it a 5-3 final.
Three Stars
1.Brayden Schenn: His first career hat trick and could have had four but for a video review that went against him.
2.Claude Giroux: Four assists! Four! Quite the night for the Flyer’s captain.
3.Wayne Simmonds: A feisty, physical game for the veteran Flyer. Scores a goal properly and another into the empty net for home side.
Big Save
Didn’t know it at the time, but Hiller’s save on Wayne Simmonds’ breakaway in the third period was key, as it set up an interesting finish. A goal there and maybe the Flames don’t ramp up the comeback and the interesting finish.
The Goat
Hate to keep pounding the same buzzer, but Jonas Hiller is once again outplayed by the guy at the other end and because of it the Flames lose. Shots tonight were 32-28 Calgary, and Hiller’s .857 save percentage wasn’t getting it done.
Mr. Clutch
Johnny Gaudreau. Set up Monahan for the Flames first goal, but was even more noticeable than usual in dangling around the ice, getting shots on net, and being downright dangerous. Guy is a weapon when he plays in Philly.
Odds and Ends
Kris Russell was just a lightning rod for the traditional and advanced stat hockey watcher, something we saw on the radio this week and all over twitter today. As the rumours of a return for Calgary were starting to boil, some of the advanced stats crowd were getting downright ugly in their disdain for the player, essentially propping themselves up while belittling the brethren of league general managers. I see the stats, and I understand them to at least a degree; I get why people have concerns over Russell’s game. At the same time (Hartley insert) I’m a logical personal and to me it’s illogical that 30 organizations are ignoring advanced stats altogether which means other elements are coming into this argument and they clearly are valid as well. Russell is a heart and soul player who will do anything to win, and Jim Nill, considered one of hockey’s brightest young general managers set his sights on acquiring the Alberta native for a reason. I’ll choose to trust he knows what he’s doing. … An aside to that, will be interesting to watch Russell’s Corsi numbers in Dallas. If they improve considerably then it might suggest that the team itself may be more guilty of advanced stat crimes than the player meaning comments like “possession tire fire” will have to be removed as a foot from the mouth from many today. … Interesting to see David Jones and Alex Tanguay both dealt on the same day again, I can’t imagine Tanguay is all that happy. I like David Jones, he was clearly over paid for his role, but at half of that he could play for 2/3 of the clubs in the NHL. Honest guy, a good teammate, and an ability to go on the odd streak and put the puck in the net. He was a good Flame. … Want proof that Treliving loves draft picks? He gets a sixth rounder for Jones but has to take on a 38 year old broken down goaltender as well in order to balance the salary cap putting Calgary back into a three goaltender mess with Joni Ortio needing to play eight more to avoid being a UFA. As I said, man loves picks. … Lots of debate about who would come up for the Flames with players being moved of late up front. None of those names guessed were Garnet Hathaway but you have to love his first period in Philly tonight. Hit everything, had a breakaway and another chance on a rebound. Showed his speed. I know first game adrenalin is big, hope he keeps it up. Fun to watch. … I will never regret Derryk Engellend as a free agent signing, the guy is a warrior. His step up last season is a permanent piece of Flame lore, but game in and game out he punishes the opposition and works his ass off. I think he’s actually improved in Flame’s colours.
Next Up
The Flames are right back at it taking on the Bruins tomorrow night in Boston. Game time 5pm on Sportsnet.
3>Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Josh Jooris
Joe Colborne – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Micheal Ferland – Sam Bennett- Garnet Hathaway
Lance Bouma – Matt Stajan – Brandon Bollig
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Derryk Engellend – Dougie Hamilton
Tyler Wotherspoon – Jakub Nakladal
Jonas Hiller
