For much of the season Calgary Flames games were predictable; hang around in most games five on five but get your proverbial ass handed to you in special teams and lose the game. It’s a script they walked out most nights in the season’s first quarter.
On this long and arduous road trip we’ve actually seen a re-write to said script as the Flames have found their legs on the penalty kill, and with it some wins in some tough locals.
Tonight the script was further bludgeoned as the Flames won the special teams battle by scoring two shorthanded goals and a powerplay goal, but still lost by a score of 5 to 3 in Philadelphia.
The loss moves the Flames back to 3-2-0 on the trip, with things closing out tomorrow night in Brooklyn.
The Flow
The Flames had a rough two minutes to start this one, getting pinned in their own zone and running around. They survived the push, and settled down though. The Flames take a penalty but it’s Calgary that finds the scoring chance when Sam Bennett takes the puck off the half wall and feeds Mikael Backlund who streaks down the ice on a two on one with TJ Brodie, sliding across the defenseman who backhands it past Anthony Stolarz on his second NHL shot. The Flames take another penalty that gives the Flyers a few chances, but Chad Johnson is equal to the task and the game stays 1-0 Calgary. The Flyers finally tie the game when Voracek takes the puck wide on Wideman, then heads behind the net. Wideman gets tangled up on the post and misses his check, Rafl, in front of the net, 1-1 tie. An odd late call against Matthew Tkachuk gives the Flyers their third powerplay in the period, but the Flames escape with a 1-1 tie despite being out shot and out chanced.
The second period wasn’t a highlight reel for the Flames on this road trip. They got socred on early, and often as the Flyers erase a 1-1 deficit by scoring three straight second period goals. First Voracek tries to go cross crease to Simmonds, but the puck hits Mark Giordano and carromes into the top corner of the net. Then a few minutes later Chad Johnson gets burned by putting the puck up the boards, which was quickly centered and tipped past him by Vendevelde to make it 3-1. Soon after Wayne Simmonds breaks in all alone and goes to the backhand to beat Johnson to pretty much put the game away. The Flames had a few chances to conclude the period including a Matthew Tkachuk pass to Mikael Backlund but his quick redirect was turned away by Stolarz.
Lets face it this one was over after two, but the Flames didn’t lie down, they pushed hard in the third period. Matthew Tkachuk made the score 4-2 when he tipped in a Dougie Hamilton point shot midway through the period. The Flyers answered back quickly when Lyubimov picked up a rebound and beat Johnson short side. The Flames still refused to quit, and after Matthew Tkachuk went nuts in the Flyers crease and got himself ejected from the game and giving the Flyers a four minute powerplay to wind things down it would have been easy to just call it. Instead the Flames score their second short handed goal of the night when a Dougie Hamilton shot on a two on two deflected out to Chiasson who ripped it past Stolarz and suddenly it’s a game again. The Flames pull Johnson and push hard but the game ends 5-3 Philly.
Possession Pulse
First Period – Flayers bested the Flames in shot attempts 20-11 in the first period, 8-6 in scoring chances.
Second Period – 16-14 Flyers in 5 on 5 shot attempts, but 13-4 in scoring chances.
Third Period – Exactly the same in the third 16-14 Flyers, and 8-6 Philly in scoring chances.
The Players – Five on five the Backlund line simply dominated as all three of Backlund, Frolik and Tkachuk were close to 70% corsi on the night. Others with good nights included the Stajan/Bennett/Chiasson line and TJ Brodie who were all north of 50%. The bottom of the barrel was the Monahan line as all of Monahan, Versteeg and Brouwer finished between 25 and 33% getting outplayed badly by the Flyers at even strength.
1. Wayne Simmonds:Goal and an assist and an overall good game from a guy that would really look good in Flames colors.
2. Jacob Voracek: Had the puck on a string all night, scored a goal and added an assist.
3. Matthew Tkachuk:Scored a goal, had great underlying stats, and picked up 18 penalty minutes. Not a bad night at the office.
Big Save
Calgary had a great chance when Sean Monahan got the puck in the slot and let it rip, but the shot was blocked creating a two on one and then eventually a complete breakaway for Cousins who was stoned by Johnson and his right pad.
The Goat
Calgary’s fourth line got victimized and often by the Flyers, as Philadelphia picked up three five on five goals against Calgary’s fourth line. All three of Ferland, Hathaway and Freddie Hamilton finished -3 on the night.
Mr. Clutch
Another great game for Mikael Backlund. Sets up Brodie for the game’s first goal and just carries that “I really know what I’m doing out here” presence with him shift to shift.
Odds and Ends
The only line change for the Flames from the game in Boston was the return of Kris Versteeg to the lineup at the expense of Hunter Shinkaruk. Mark Jankowski, who made the cross continent trek on Friday, sat out his second straight game and with Versteeg back he may not before getting sent back to Stockton. Another possibility however is sending Shinkaruk back and keep Jankowski and give him a look. … I’m guessing the Flames have probably arrived at the conclusion most of us have, which is Mikael Backlund’s contract will need to be extended and the player shouldn’t be traded when he gets into the final season of his contract next year. He’s no longer the best third line center in the league, he’s an above average second line center and should be kept at all costs. I love Sam Bennett, I think he’s going to be great, and I’m not writing off Sean Monahan for some odd play this season but Backlund is a keeper … First off I’m happy the Gulutzan has seen the light and promoted Dougie Hamilton to the first powerplay unit, that’s a very positive change for the club. But doesn’t tonight’s goal illustrate why they need to play Giordano and Hamilton on their off sides on the point when up a man? That off side one timer from Hamilton is the single most dangerous weapon the Flames have when up a man and it needs to be used every time. … Not a great game by the Flames but they do get full marks for not folding up their tent and turning their thoughts to tomorrow night in Brooklyn. That second period really got away from them but they fought their way back into the game and made it interesting to the end. Good sign.
Next Up
The Flames wrap up their 6 game road trip tomorrow night in Brooklyn against the Islanders, game time 5pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Versteeg – Monahan – Brouwer
Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik
Ferland – Hamilton – Hathaway
Bennett – Stajan – Chiasson
Giordano – Hamilton
Brodie – Wideman
Kulak – Engelland
Johnson
