Goaltending like many things in life, is relative.
While there is great goaltending, average goaltending and poor goaltending, what you are used to often sets the bar and from that all other things can be compared. Many have suggested that the Flames had great goaltending, or consistent goaltending under Kari Ramo from late November through to early February.
While that sounds nice, the truth of the matter is they finally had average goaltending and with that they found a way to win more games than they lost. In 34 starts since getting summoned from the farm, Ramo has had half of them with a save percentage that exceeds the NHL’s average goaltender. Overall his .911 save percentage is .002 below the average goaltender.
But he was lights out compared to the other two, and that continued tonight as the Flame’s tandem of Hiller and Ortio gave up 6 goals on 28 shots (.786) in a 6-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on a rare Family Day matinee at the Saddledome.
The Flow
Quite often afternoon games are flat, and I mean really flat. One or both teams come out “off” and with that you get a game of whack a mole with the puck being beaten back and forth with very little happening. Today however, we got the opposite, a high octane high scoring first period featuring 5 goals and three leads by the home club. The Flames score the opener, when Gaudreau on a powerplay gets knocked to his knee and in doing so pushes the puck over the goal line with said knee (thank you Kevin Bieksa). The Ducks tie it when Lindholm pounces on a loose puck and beats Hiller high (shocking he was down). The Flames go back out in front again mere moments into a powerplay when Monahan wins the puck back to Dougie Hamilton who hammers it home, 2-1 Calgary. The Ducks tie it again with another loose puck in the slot, this time Santorelli beats Hiller high. But not to be outdone, Hudler puts a puck on net that bounces through Anderson’s legs with Monahan on the spot and its’ 3-2 Calgary through 20.
The back and forth uniformity of the first is replaced by a three straight second period goals by the Ducks as they erase a 3-2 deficit and climb into a two goal lead. Hiller is pulled after the first two giving way to Joni Ortio who proceeds to let his second shot in to join the circus. A late goal by Hudler makes it close and sends the game to the third period with the game in doubt.
Any intrigue for the final 20 minutes is quickly dispelled when the Ducks restore their two goal lead quickly in the third, with Santorelli scoring his second of the night and that was pretty much it. The Flames push hard through the third period and run up a 13-5 shot margin but can’t solve Andersson who turns out to be the only goaltender who finds his game in this one. Final score 6-4 Anaheim putting a real crimp in the Flames playoff hopes.
Three Stars
1.Cory Perry: Solid down low, scores a goal and adds an assist for the Ducks.
2.Cam Fowler: Three assists on 23 minutes of time to lead the vistors in point production.
3.Jiri Hudler: Continues to add to his trade value with two more goals and an assist.
Big Save
Likely can’t say the game was in the balance, but it could have been had Freddie Anderson not made an amazing pad save on Sam Bennett when Michael Backlund found him across the crease. Bennett scores there and the Flames have a chance to come from behind and force overtime.
The Goat
Jonas Hiller. The Flames haven’t had great goaltending all season, but tonight giving up 4 goals on 17 shots just won’t get it done. Sure there were some lapses in the slot, etc, but a goaltender has to make all the easy ones, all the average ones and then many of the tough ones and he’s letting in too many that I’d call average.
Mr. Clutch
Sean Monahan. Was on the puck all night and rewarded with three assists. He wasn’t great in the face off circle, but his line was the only thing really going for Calgary in this one.
Odds and Ends
Hudler’s three point game now gives him 10 points in his last 10 games, a sample size growing more significant each day. Hopefully GMs around the circuit are taking notice and the Flames see their return jack with the deadline just two weeks away. … That’s the good news on trade return, but some pause today as well as both David Jones and Kris Russell missed the game due to injury making me at least ponder if a trade was in the works. Both players took the time because they are banged up however, joining Matt Stajan who missed for “maintenance”. … As a result we saw the second game from Jacub Nakladal and this time he actually played! He logged 12.5 minutes and finished with a penalty and two shots on goal including a point blank chance with a delayed penalty in the first period. … The loss pretty much cooks Calgary’s goose doesn’t it? The Duck win pushes them past the Sharks and into 2nd in the Pacific, and 11 points clear of the Flames. The Sharks are ten up with even games. The Flames are 8 points out of the Wild Card spot with now just one game in hand. Lets face it, they are done. … After a very rocky start Dougie Hamilton is creeping into last year country when it comes to production. His two points tonight gives him 9 goals and 17 assists on the season and on pace for 13 goals and 39 points through 82 games. Last year he had 12 and 42 with the Bruins. … A lot of squinted eyes at Bob Hartley for not giving Joni Ortio a chance to start the season, a sentiment I just can’t endorse. Tonight was yet another opportunity as he came in half way through the game with the Flames needing the big save to climb back into it. Pitch a shut out the rest of the way and maybe he’s the hero and a new chapter is written in the Flames goaltending situation. Instead he gave up two goals on 11 shots and it’s likely Hiller returning to the starter’s net for Wednesday’s game against the Wild.
Next Up
The Flames three game homestand continues on Wednesday night when the Wild come to town. Game time 8pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Micheal Ferland – Markus Granlund – Joe Colborne
Lance Bouma – Josh Jooris – Brandon Bollig
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Derryk Engellend – Dougie Hamilton
Jakub Nakladal – Ladislav Smid
Jonas Hiller / Joni Ortio
