Pretty sure a solid way to convince the world you don’t believe in tanking is to throw almost 50 pucks on net in a losing effort.
That’s exactly what the Flames did tonight in bowing to the San Jose Sharks by a 2-1 overtime score, Monday night at the Saddledome. After a slow star (seven minutes worth), the Flames threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Sharks and Martin Jones but were unable to get one by the netminder until the final two minutes of play.
One of the best goaltending efforts I’ve seen in a long while.
The Flow
The Sharks came to play, at least early. The Flames had the game’s first chance but a dribbling puck left for Michael Backlund somehow didn’t find it’s way into the net and seconds later it was 1-0 San Jose when Brent Burns found the upper corner of the net through a screen. A powerplay gave the Sharks more chances and more of the play but Ortio and the Flames penalty kill stood tall. At that point the shots were 7-2 San Jose and the game looked like an uphill climb. Not. The Flames don’t surrender another shot for the rest of the period out shooting the Sharks 10-0 but unable to solve goaltender Martin Jones. It was a sign of things to come.
As per usual the Flames send out Monahan, Brodie and Giordano to start the overtime period, a ploy to shut down the opposition’s best and yield the game to Gaudreau to solve things 3 on 3. Didn’t work this time however as the Ducks move the puck to the Calgary net with Pavelski tipping it through Ortio’s pads. The Sharks and Jones steal one in Calgary.
The second period … all Calgary, all the time. Shots were 18-6 for the Flames with the Sharks unable to generate a shot at all through the first half of the period as Calgary poured it on five on five, and on the powerplay. Jones was tall to the task, square to the puck and quick to get up and confront rebounds in a cat like fashion. No scoring in the period, still 1-0 San Jose.
The third period was pretty much the same thing. Calgary continues to put the boots to San Jose but Jones amazingly at times thwarts chance after chance after chance. With just under three minutes to play in the game San Jose gets a penalty for putting the puck over the glass and the Flames walk out the powerplay. A Giordano point shot is turned away by Jones with the rebound falling to Gaudreau who hammers it only to be gobsmacked by Jones getting over and turning it away. They pull their goalie to add to the advantage and are rewarded when Giordano keeps the puck in with an out stretched glove and fires the puck towards the net with Colborne tipping it past Jones. Tie game.
Three Stars
1. Martin Jones: Really the guy deserves all three stars as he was the absolute story from start to finish. Sets a career high with 47 saves and was unbelievable in the nets he manned with Hitmen a few years ago.
2.Brent Burns: Goal in the first, and an assist on the overtime winner for the abrasive big lug.
3.Joni Ortio: Only had half the work as his counterpart, but stood tall on some amazing chances to keep his team in it and give them a chance to grab a point.
Big Save
Loved the Ortio save on Nieto in the second, a real game saver, but you have to give it Jones on this night and I’m going with his point blank rebound stop on Johnny Gaudreau with two and a half minutes on the clock. Makes the save on Giordano and then dives across the crease to stop the one timed rebound off of Gaudreau’s stick.
The Goat
It wasn’t a goat kind of game in my mind. The Flames to a man showed up with their hard hats on and went to work. No passengers at all.
Mr. Clutch
Garnet Hathaway. Drew three penalties through is high level of engagement on every shift. He’s always on his man, loves to finish the check, backchecks with abandon and never lost a one on one battle in the corner. Abrasive energy player that the Flames have needed all season.
Odds and Ends
Interesting question I was throwing around today; would your rather (great party game) have the Flames lose the rest of their games (honestly, no tanking) and finish last in the standings or win 70% of their games finishing the season as the league’s hottest team but narrowly getting edged out for a playoff spot? The first case gives you the best chance at drafting Austin Mathews, but it’s only a 20% chance, something I think may really hit home when this season is over and the draft lottery happens. The odds are different, but the fact that a team well up the standings has three cracks at a top 3 pick this year may end the notion of tanking going forward. Is it really worth it to plummet and only have a 1 in 3 chance of a top three pick? Sure doesn’t seem like it. Almost makes me wish a non bottom 10 team wins the thing in a month or so, ideally that’s Calgary … With Wotherspoon up filling in for Nakladal and his precautionary eye injury you have to wonder what the team will do when Dennis Wideman returns to action later this week or next. I’d assume he goes into the lineup and pushes Nakladal to the sidelines. Nakladal will stay the season as he isn’t eligible for the AHL post season (I think, very confusing with the Drouin thing today), but he’s played well, will be a shame to see his audition come to an end. … I’ve never been able to figure out the line in the sand between two, four and five minute penalties for high sticking. It used to be blood was the determining factor, then the word was intent but that was always beyond odd. Anyone that intends to high stick someone should always get 5 minutes. Lately it seems like level of care is the judgement area, and tonight Burn’s swinging of a stick in Garnet Hathaway’s face was brutal. To call it four minutes but then give Hathaway the instigator in a fight after was a little unfair. … First time seeing Jyrki Jokapakka in person and came away impressed, at least for the role that he plays. Doesn’t set the world on fire but is a steady, physical presence on the blueline. Looked good. Glad the Flames have options like himself, Tyler Wotherspoon and hopefully Jacub Nakladal next season because they’ve been steady and they don’t make a tonne of dough.
Next Up
The 6 game homestand continues on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night, game time 7.30pm on Sportsnet.
3>Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan- Michael Frolik
Micheal Ferland – Mikael Backlund – Garnet Hathaway
Lance Bouma – Sam Bennett- Joe Colborne
Brandon Bollig- Matt Stajan – Josh Jooris
Mark Giordano – Derryk Engellend
T.J. Brodie – Dougie Hamilton
Jyrki Jokipakka – Tyler Wotherspoon
Joni Ortio
