When you play with matches you get burned.
An old saying, but pretty fitting when a hockey team spots opposition clubs multi goal leads most nights, even more fitting when said club has a moniker of the “Flames”.
These Flames were at it again on Wednesday night, falling behind early 2-0 to the Minnesota Wild before scratching and clawing their way back into it only to fall in over time 3-2. A point is a point however, especially when you’re playing a team chasing you.
But learn already!
The Flow
Another painfully predictable slow start for the Flames as the Wild come out and take it to the locals for the better part of the first ten minutes, scoring two goals in the process. Neither goal was all that picturesque as a fluttering half fan and a deflection off Giordano both beat Hiller. They were weak goals but not the kind you fault a goaltender for. Calgary took some life from a late powerplay, and scored soon after when a face off one by Sean Monahan resulted in a Denis Wideman shot that was deflected by Hudler and into the cage. 2-1 Wild after one.
The Flames were much better in the second period, pushing the play from the start, but were continuously thwarted by Devan Dubnyk. Glencross tipped a puck on net that could have had eyes, Gaudreau scored after the whistle was blown for a lost puck, and Hudler took a Gaudreau pass from behind the net and one timed it into the big goaltender’s pad, a shot he didn’t see. Still 2-1 Wild after two; the Flames had them just where they wanted them.
The third period didn’t exactly have the most electric of starts as it seemed everything was off the glass or banked off the boards; very little happening in the period’s first ten minutes. Then a Lance Bouma (who else right?) takes a Wideman pass and goes bar down to tie the game and from there the Flames really dominated and were unlucky to not find the winner in regulation.
The overtime was all Calgary, as the hosts kept control and took the puck to the net several times. Their best chance came on a Hudler from Gaudreau play but soon the puck turned up the ice and Koivu banked the winner in off of Gaudreau.
Three Stars
1.Devan Dubnyk: Another strong game for the Oiler castaway, made 35 saves to continue his renaissance in Minnesota
2.Denis Wideman: Two more assists for Wideman, as he continues his strong play.
3.Mikko Koivu: Scores the game winner of Gaudreau in overtime.
Big Save
Lots of solid saves from both goaltenders, but the best of the group goes to Dubnyuk when he got a pad on a one timer off of Jiri Hudler’s stick late in the second period. The lanky goaltender never saw it but that doesn’t take away from the immensity of the save.
The Goat
Zach Parise had a rough night, victimized on both Calgary goals and finishing a -2 for the Wild. Honestly I’m reaching as neither team had any passengers in this one.
Mr. Clutch
Johnny Gaudreau. Shame the Wild winner bounced off his mini torso and in to end his night, because I thought he had a great answer game for his benching on Monday against the Bruins. Ends up -1 with no points, but had four shots and was the Flame’s most dangerous player.
Odds and Ends
See no evil speak no evil? I think I wrinkled a few noses today on the site when I put up a poll asking if the Flames were due for a skid? () To me the Flames appear to be sputtering in inconsistency, a belief that was both voted and scolded down by many today. For what it’s worth, the Flames didn’t look very skid like tonight after the first ten minutes. … Can only assume the Flames desire to ring the boards and hammer everything off the glass these days is a response to other coaches figuring out that quick pass transition break out stuff that Calgary had mastered in November. Boring to watch but I guess it’s getting them wins. Just doesn’t seem to create a lot of offense when they are consistently chasing the opposition to get the puck back. Then when the game gets serious you can just see the play open up and Calgary becomes creative again. Chicken or the egg? Calgary takes it to the opposition or the opposition sits back and lets them? … Can’t imagine the pain Oiler fans feel watching Dubnyk become a legitimate starter in Minnesota. The fact that they retained salary to dump him just over a year ago is unfathomable. You could see him wrestling away the starter job in Arizona so it’s not a shock this season, but Sean Burke deserves a lot of credit. … Kind of odd to see the Flames lose in overtime isn’t it? Strange. You just don’t expect it. And honestly it was going the other way again based on play but for a tough bounce on the game winner. Bottom line the point is big for two reasons; 1) any point in a game when you’re trailing by 2 is big and 2) it keeps the four point game from going the wrong way as the Wild only gain one point on Calgary, and Calgary gets a point on Vancouver and San Jose. Calgary now holds down 2nd in the Pacific (yeah that just seems odd as well), one point up on Vancouver though the Canucks have 2 games in hand. Just as important they are two up on San Jose with a game in hand, as well as three up on Minnesota and four up on L.A. Buckle up!
Next Up
One more home date on the calendar before the briar induced trip from hell starts on the weekend. The Ducks invade the Saddledome on Friday night, game time 7pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Lance Bouma – Mikael Backlund – David Jones
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Curtis Glencross – Josh Jooris – Mason Raymond
Brandon Bollig – Matt Stajan – Joe Colborne
Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engelland – Rapha Diaz
Jonas Hiller
