Post-Game: Flames beat the champs in overtime

The Calgary Flames are an interesting team this year. They can vary between unable to clear their own zone to running the show in the opposition’s zone, often within the same period or game. The best and worst of the 2017-18 Flames were on full display this evening at the Scotiabank Saddledome, as the Flames withstood an early siege from the Pittsburgh Penguins but rode white-hot goaltending and a pair of timely goals to a 2-1 overtime victory.

With the win over the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Flames nudge a game over the vaunted .500 mark.

Maybe it was the days off or maybe it was the snowy weather outside, but the Flames were not particularly good in the first period. To compound that, the Penguins looked like a crew that used last night’s 5-2 win over Edmonton as a way of getting their legs going. They hemmed the fourth line into the Flames’ end for almost two full minutes and generated six dangerous shots on a mid-period power play. But Mike Smith was very good. Shots were 19-8 Penguins and scoring chances were 11-9 Flames.

The Flames woke up a few minutes into the second and found their legs, generating a few chances off a few nice cycles but failing to get anything past Tristan Jarry. Both goaltenders were good, but Jarry was busier in the middle frame. Shots were 14-10 Calgary and chances were 11-10 Flames.

The third period was quite even, with both teams getting chances. It seemed like the game might go to overtime tied at 0-0, but a late power play for the Flames tilted things. With Kris Letang in the box for high-sticking, Sean Monahan won a faceoff and then jammed in a rebound from a Johnny Gaudreau shot to make it 1-0.

Letang barely had time to get comfy. But he redeemed himself, as Letang’s point shot was tipped by Patrick Hornqvist to tie the game at 1-1 with 72 seconds remaining in regulation.

Off to overtime they went, and after a few chances in each direction, Matthew Tkachuk stole the puck from Sidney Crosby, strode into the Penguins zone, drew a few defenders to him and then passed to Mark Giordano for a wrister that beat Jarry over his shoulder to end the game with a 2-1 score.

Calgary’s best players were better than Pittsburgh’s. Smith was superb. Giordano and Monahan scored. The locals survived Pittsburgh’s early push and then woke up for the final two periods.

It’s becoming old hat, but Smith made 43 saves and was the only reason the Flames survived the opening period.

Dougie Hamilton was also very good, with five shots and a ton of energy, and the 3M Line shut down Sidney Crosby.

It’s a no-brainer, but Giordano’s OT winner was the difference tonight.

D’Artagnan Joly had a goal for Baie-Comeau in their 5-4 win over Saint John. Adam Ruzicka had three assists in a 7-5 Sarnia win over Peterborough.

“Our goalie bailed us out, 100%, and then continued to do so all night. Got us through that first, it was one of the best goalie performances I’ve seen in a long time.” – Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan on Mike Smith’s performance in net.

“That kid, he’s like the heart and soul of our team. He’s in every battle, he’s got his nose over the puck, he’s a feisty little bugger. It’s fun him being on my team now. I was rattled playing against these guys last year when I had to play against him and he was in my face all game. It’s nice to have him on my team.” – Flames goaltender Mike Smith on Matthew Tkachuk’s play.

The Flames (7-6-0) are off tomorrow, are back at practice on Saturday, and entertain the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night.