Post-Game: Flames Lose To Better Team

Tonight’s game was the latest installment of the Calgary Flames playing against a much better team. I don’t think it’s mean or unfair to describe the St. Louis Blues as a superior hockey club.

The Blues slightly out-played the Flames through two periods tonight, then really out-played them in the third period. The Flames lost 4-0.

There are 12 games remaining this season.

The first period was rather even, though the Blues got a few nice chances. Shots were 8-6 for the Blues. Nobody scored.

The second period was even, too, perhaps even moreso. Calgary had some chances that they couldn’t bury. Then Alex Steen broke the deadlock mid-way through the period, sniping one past Jonas Hiller from the top of the face-off circle. Twas a nice shot, but Hiller probably wanted it back. Shots were 11-10 Calgary.

The third period was even in shots, but the Blues did a good job defending and keeping Calgary to the outside for the majority of the period. Calgary couldn’t get anything going. Jori Lehtera capitalized on a bad rim-around attempt by T.J. Brodie and scored. Later, Alex Steen scored his second to make it 3-0. And later, in an amazing display of bravado, the Flames pulled their goalie on a power-play.

Down 3-0.

With 8 minutes left.

Anyhow, they didn’t score on that power-play and David Backes scored an empty-netter to make it 4-0.

Because St. Louis is better.

The Blues generated more chances, had more zone time, had better chances, defended better, controlled the pace of the game and dominated the face-off circle.

Oh, and they scored more goals.

The Flames tried, but St. Louis is just a better hockey team.

No Flames were amazing, per se, but Mikael Backlund had 5 shots and was the best of Calgary’s centers at the face-off dot…at 44%. (Yikes.)

The Flames have 12 games left! They lost to a team that, let’s face it, most of us probably figured they would lose against. There are a dozen games remaining and, while they are (temporarily?) out of a playoff spot, they still have a good shot at the post-season if they win just 7 more games.

They’re back in action on Thursday when they face the Philadelphia Flyers.

Oh, and it’s retro night, so expect sweet old school jerseys and sweet ’80s music.