Beyond the Boxscore: Calgary Flames win allows their dads/mentors to unleash the party in Arizona

An electric game for the visitors as the Calgary Flames used the magic of their dads to help take the win in Arizona. As funny as that sounds it’s not entirely untrue. The Flames players were smiling all night long as they gave the group something to celebrate early and often. Those vibes held through the third where Yegor Sharangovich was able to pot a hat trick to cap off a wonderful game. It wasn’t quite the walk in the park the score may indicate the game was, Markstrom had to be sharp again as the Coyotes pushed back hard in the second period. Well-deserved victory from an all-around team effort.

It’s a Team Game – I have to give the Coyotes credit they really are adept at getting to the middle of the ice for dangerous scoring chances and doing it with speed. From the second period until the last Sharangovich goal the Coyotes were the more dangerous team out there. Calgary got spotted some extra goals early because of a poor outing by Vejmelka, but they could have had even more than the first 4 goals hitting the iron a few times as well. The last two games have shown us that if Calgary can get out to an early lead they can really dictate the flow of the rest of the game.

Corsi King – Rasmus Andersson (68.32%) and MacKenzie Weegar (64.38%) were helping out on the rush all night long. Andersson particularly looked the best he has in months. Mikael Backlund (56.02%) had his line win their overall shot attempt fight, but both the Lindholm (46.76%) line and Kadri (44.81%) line weren’t far off from breaking even. The Flames made their offensive zone time count getting some bounces along the way.

Corsi Clown – Noah Hanifin (29.56%) should not be re-signed based on how many shifts he takes. He has been playing some of the best hockey we’ve seen him play but the Flames need to be able to stick with the direction of adding assets and continuing to let this youth movement inspire the team. That or never let the dads go home because the energy they brought to the rink tonight did nothing but make everyone smile. Overpaying for a number 3 defenceman because you are too scared to fill that whole with something you drafted is an indictment on the state of the team’s drafting abilities. Believe in your staff, your other players, and continue to grow together from within.

Taken By Chance – In an interesting turn of events most Flames players lost their individual high danger battles or only managed to get one more for than they saw against. Chris Tanev (37.76 SCF% // 57.21 HDCF%) had the best overall ratio amongst the whole group. Nazem Kadri (42.40% // 40.73%) and Jordan Oesterle (34.29% // 31.47%) both saw over 5 high danger chances against which was the worst mark for the team on the night. 4 more players saw 4 chances against while everyone on the team saw at least 2 or more come their way. Nobody played the best defence in this one – which leads to the usual compliments for Jacob Markstrom.

xGF% – Connor Zary (60.17%) may not have won the overall shot attempts fight, nor the scoring chance battle, but he made sure the chances he did take were of the most dangerous variety. That’s the only way to end up with the advanced stat line he registered. Rasmus Andersson (60.16%) falls under the same category as Zary tonight too. Dillon Dubé (33.96%) visibly looks like he’s given up out there. Doesn’t really appear to over-exert himself like he used to, maybe if he got a bit more physical he could wake himself up, but this relationship with the team is heading straight for a parting of the ways if the current play level continues.

In The Crease – Another game, another night where Markstrom stops more goals than expected. The Coyotes had a significant pushback in the second period as they found many passing lanes to get opportunities directly in front of the net. Markstrom kept in fine form and never wavered once – only getting beat by tremendous quick strike passing plays. The six goals without any empty netter make it seem like he wasn’t tested much, but he is every bit of responsible for this victory as the goal scorers.

Today’s Specials – The power play has looked the best it ever has and that just happens to occur when Jonathan Huberdeau is in the middle of an awakening. Dormant for most of 2023 the changing of the years has been nothing but kind to the Flames number 10 as he has started to develop chemistry with Yegor Sharangovich. Huberdeau is also making more dangerous plays where he cuts to the middle with possession before making amazing, quick, soft zone passes. The increase in the creativity and aggressiveness of him to get to the slot completely change the outlook for what the Flames can achieve.