When a season goes bad, so very very bad, you have to find a silver lining. A hook. Something to hang your hat on. A subplot that makes the journey somewhat worthwhile.
This season the Flames have owned their principal rival, the Vancouver Canucks, or at least they’ve owned them since their opening night face plant at the Saddledome on October 10th. Back to back wins in B.C. against the team they happily swept aside in last year’s playoffs was followed by a convincing 5-2 romp at the Saddledome tonight as the Flames shook off a flat final 10 minutes of the first period to take the game away from their Western Canadian rival?
Draft smart? Hell no, but a heck of a lot of fun on a Friday night in Calgary.
The Flow
A good start for the Flames, as they score early on their third shift when TJ Brodie finds Michael Backlund at the Canuck’s line. Backlund proceeds to cut across the Canuck zone before leaving a great drop pass to Joe Colborne who goes blocker side on Markstrom. Things appear to be staying in Calgary’s favour until back to back penalties by Michael Ferland turned the game on its ear. The Flames managed to kill the first one, but the Canucks scored soon after when TJ Brodie tracking Hansen appears to have had his arm held resulting the puck floating into the slot for an easy goal by Cracknell. The Canucks score again when Dougie Hamilton turns the puck over to Jake Virtanen who puts it upstairs on an unscreened Hiller who was already on his knees, 2-1 Vancouver. The Flames kill off the second Ferland minor but not before the Canucks get more chances, Hiller finally solid.
Whatever the Canucks had going in the second half of the first period the Flames gobbled up for themselves for the entirety of the second period as the Flames out shot the Canucks 19-8 and scored three unanswered goals. The Flames tied the score when a smart play by Nakladal to put the puck deep led to a goal mouth scramble and a Michael Backlund goal through a maze of bodies. The Flames went ahead when TJ Brodie extended to keep the puck in and then fed Michael Frolik who had a weak backhander hit Bartkowski’s stick and dribble past Markstrom to make it 3-2 Flames. Late in the period the Flames double their lead when Mark Giordano has a shot go off of a Canuck defenseman and into the cage with 22 seconds left to play.
Unlike many a night this season with a lead the Flames left their skate firmly on the jugular of the Canucks in the third period, continuing to push the play and not affording their visitors a significant chance to get back into things. The Canucks did have a couple of chances including a Baertschi partial break and an odd turnstile save by Hiller off of one of the Sedins but the only goal in the third was authored by Josh Jooris on a good pass from Lance Bouma. Final score 5-2 Calgary Flames.
Three Stars
1.TJ Brodie: Simply the best, better than all the rest? Ok, a grown man should never quote Tina Turner, but Brodie was at his best again tonight with three assists, +2 and a few additional surgical passes up the middle that didn’t result in scoring plays.
2.Michael Backlund: Was stripped of the 19 year old left winger, but his line didn’t miss a beat as he, Frolik and Colborne each had a goal and an assist in the win. His pass on the opening goal to Colborne was a beauty.
3.Joe Colborne: Toss up between Joe and his linemate Frolik but I’ll give the nod to Colborne because he delivered in a promotion to the second line and was a force using his frame down low.
Big Save
The Flames had the Canucks hemmed in a two then one man advantage in the second period, the dog tired Canucks chasing the play and in trouble when a cross ice pass to Sean Monahan looked like money but for the scrambling reaching best of Markstom to keep the puck out of the net.
The Goat
Jacub Markstom was not good in this one, yielding 5 goals on just 33 shots. Eddie Lack hasn’t gotten a lot done in Carolina this season but this 26 year old is going the Leland Irving route despite some flattering stats in the last 5 or so starts.
Mr. Clutch
Michael Frolik. Have to give the clutch role to the third member of that line as they really got things done through two periods setting up the win for the Flames. Now has 10 on the season an on pace for 15 making his contract signing right on target. He’ll play a big role when this team sorts itself out in future seasons.
Odds and Ends
Moving Sam Bennett to center on the third line required a replacement for the winger on the left side of the top line with the Michaels; Backlund and Frolik and Joe Colborne was only too happy to step into the role, scoring in the first period and adding an assist in the second. The line combined for the Flames first three goals as each of them had two points. Bennett on the third line did well, but maybe didn’t have as much to work with as Ferland and Jooris were his wingers. .. Guys like Derek Dorsett annoy me which is why Calgary needs a player like that. Emile Poirier was pegged as the guy expected to fill that role but his career has sputtered a bit this season though recent reports has him getting things back on track. Bottom line he’s only 21 and far from a failed prospect. … Loved the ice time spread of the Flame’s roster tonight as Hartley played pretty much everybody. The lowest ice time recipient was Ferland due to two penalties (time served and possibly some punishment for selfish play). Rolling lines creates momentum, and with everyone involved you can really get a team on a roll. … Wotherspoon, barely noticed him which is a good thing for a young player that played 16 minutes. Good start. I think Russell is expected back Sunday so that might be it for him until Russell exits at the trade deadline but a good start for a guy that they have to get a read on with his waiver status next year. … Nakladal is getting more comfortable. Showed his shot, made some nice passes, was sound in his own zone and physical. Staring to like what I’m seeing there, good sign. … Great to see a Lance Bouma game finally. A healthy scratch again Minnesota, he put his best foot forward, including a shift where he crushed three Canucks in about 20 seconds..
Next Up
The Flames now depart on an easy two game road trip through the city of Los Angeles, with games against the Kings and Ducks. The first one goes Sunday night in Anaheim, game time 5pm Sportnet. (not the odd start time)
Lines:
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Joe Colborne – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Micheal Ferland – Sam Bennett- Josh Jooris
Lance Bouma – Matt Stajan – Brandon Bollig
Mark Giordano – T.J. Brodie
Derryk Engellend – Dougie Hamilton
Tyler Wotherspoon – Jakub Nakladal
Jonas Hiller
