Post-Game: Flames make history in Anaheim

After last night’s performance against the Los Angeles Kings, onlookers and analysts alike had two distinct expectations for tonight’s Calgary Flames game with the Anaheim Ducks.

Well, the Flames weren’t utterly destroyed, but they were merely flat in a 4-1 loss to the Ducks. They have set a National Hockey League record with 24 consecutive losses at the Honda Center. It’s precisely the kind of record you could see this year’s group setting, as it’s almost unfathomable after 14 inconsistent, frustrating games to imagine these guys setting a record for accomplishing anything positive.

The Flames weren’t great early – some consistency that we call all rely on from them – and a defensive zone turnover from Jyrki Jokipakka on an attempted outlet pass turned into them running around like confused chickens after the puck, allowing Clayton Stoner to sneak in from the point and score to make it 1-0. However, the Flames did battle back and were really good at puck management for the last 10 minutes of the period. Some nice passing from Sean Monahan to Johnny Gaudreau led to a pint-sized one-timer that bonked off Alex Chiasson and past Jonathan Bernier to tie the game. Shots were 12-9 Flames.

In the middle frame, the Flames were just as energetic but not quite as good at executing. Dougie Hamilton took a penalty in the defensive zone that resulted in a goal, but it was a weird circumstance. Hamilton caught a rut and crashed into the boards. Obviously disoriented (and probably worried that he was seriously hurt), he grabbed hold of a Ducks player and got dinged for two minutes. A nice set passing play from the Ducks power play resulted in a Ryan Kesler goal and a 2-1 lead. The Flames kept pressing but got caught up ice, leaving Hamilton alone on a two-on-one. Chad Johnson made the first save on Andrew Cogliano, but nobody caught up to Cogliano and he put his own rebound over top of Johnson to make it 3-1. Shots were 10-7 Flames.

The Ducks mainly played keep-away in the final frame. They were content to run out the clock. The period was not fun hockey to watch. Kesler added a second power play goal off a wonky rebound that went off a couple feet and ankles. Shots were 5-4 Anaheim in the third, to give you an idea of the type of high-octane action that was on display.

The Ducks weren’t particuarly great, but the Flames were bad in precisely the ways they’ve been bad all year to this point. A defensive zone lapse turned into the first goal. Defensive zone penalties and a really hapless penalty kill turned into two more goals. Four players getting caught up ice on a rush led to the other goal heading back the other way.

The Flames keep making mistakes at key times that end up in the back of their net.

The Flames looked like they were still in it until Cogliano’s goal. At that point, the Ducks were able to play prevent hockey and just ride things out. The Flames had no answer for them after they went down two goals.

Let’s give it to Brett Kulak, who was one of a handful of players (including Matthew Tkachuk) who seemed emotionally involved and energetic throughout the duration of this clunker.

And give a stick-tap to Johnson, who was rock-solid for the Flames and gave them a chance.

A military dog dropped the puck and it was awesome.

Also, it was a divisional game so there were fights.

Dougie Hamilton took a weird tumble, but didn’t miss any shifts.

The Flames (5-8-1) fly home and have a CBA-mandated off day tomorrow. After that, it’s two days of practice and then a date at the Saddledome on Thursday night with the Dallas Stars.