Post-Game: Flames weather the storm in Carolina

The Calgary Flames didn’t play a perfect 60 minutes of hockey on Sunday afternoon in Raleigh, North Carolina. But they got what they needed from their special teams units en route to a 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes got out to an early lead off a puck-handling gaffe by TJ Brodie in the defensive zone. Brodie attempted a cross-slot outlet pass from the corner of the defensive zone. That puck was intercepted by Sebastian Aho and after some quick passing Teuvo Teravainen put the puck past David Rittich to make it 1-0 Carolina.

But the Flames answered back on a power play later in the period. Mark Giordano’s point shot ricocheted around on its way to the net, getting redirected by Elias Lindholm to make it 1-1.

Shots were 14-10 Hurricanes and scoring chances 10-5 Hurricanes in the opening period.

The Flames took the lead midway through the second period off a nice bit of puck-movement by the fourth line. Andrew Mangiapane chipped the puck into the Hurricanes zone where it was collected by Derek Ryan. Ryan turned on the jets, skating around to the far side of Petr Mrazek’s net and beating him with a wrap-around to make it 2-1 Flames.

With Mark Giordano in the box the Flames cashed in on the penalty kill. Ryan pressured the Hurricanes’ defender at the point, forcing a turnover and a two-on-one. He managed to find Garnet Hathaway with a very precise pass for a redirected a 3-1 Flames lead.

But Carolina answered back before the period ended. Rasmus Andersson couldn’t clear the zone, as Lucas Wallmark intercepted his pass and fed Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton beat Rittich glove-side to make it a 3-2 game.

Shots were 13-10 Flames and chances 8-8 in the second period.

The Flames got some insurance in the latter stages of the third period. James Neal drove the net but couldn’t beat Mrazek. The puck was collected by Sam Bennett, who fed Noah Hanifin at the point and his shot beat Mrazek to make it 4-2 Flames.

Carolina pulled their goalie and Aho beat Rittich with a one-timer from the top of the circles after a face-off win to draw closer to 4-3, but that was as close as the ‘Canes got.

Shots were 13-9 Hurricanes, scoring chances 6-4 Flames in the third.

The Flames were good but not perfect at even strength, and two of Carolina’s goals were directly a result of some really bad passing in their own zone. If they could clean up their puck management, life would be a lot easier.

That said, the Flames managed to scored on the power play and shorthanded. They got even strength scoring from their third and fourth lines. Their goaltender was really good. All things considered, that’s usually a recipe for a win.

Let’s go with Ryan, who had a multi-point night against his old team. But all the former Hurricanes had goals on this afternoon, so honourable mentions to Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin as well.

And a stick-tap to Rittich, who made 34 saves.

Hathaway’s shorthanded goal was big, giving the Flames a two goal lead and a good deal of breathing room.

Per Steinberg, the Flames haven’t lost consecutive games in regulation since November.

The Flames (34-14-5) fly back to Calgary tonight. They host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night in a huge Pacific Division clash.