Post-Game: Two Outta Three Ain’t Bad

I’m scared, you guys.

I was watching the highlights of the Anaheim/Chicago game a day or so ago and noted that a Chicago win would be good for the Flames, as it’d help their playoff chances as they chase the Ducks for the Pacific Division lead.

It’s 25 games in and this is how my brain is beginning to operate.

The Flames played a strong, albeit slightly uneven, 60 minutes in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday and skated away with their 15th win of the season. Karri Ramo got his second shut-out in as many games. They come home having won two of their three games on this road trip.

Here’s how it happened.

The first period was punctuated by a four-minute power-play by the Flames that didn’t generate much of anything, and then 15 minutes of neutral zone play as both sides jockeyed for position and momentum. Josh Jooris got clipped with a high stick that drew blood on the second shift of the game, sending the Flames to the power-play. They generated very little in terms of chances, though officially they were credited with 4 shots. The period ended knotted at zero, with the visitors leading in shots (13-3) and shot attempts (21-9), but Arizona holding a slight 7-5 edge in the face-off circle.

The second period had two parts. The first chunk had some nice Flames rushes and a nice T.J. Brodie goal off the rush, via a nice pass from Jiri Hudler to make it 1-0. Afterwards, though, the Coyotes realized they were down a goal at home against a divisional opponent and pushed back like they were fighting for their lives. It was basically 15 minutes of pressure from Arizona…and no goals, because Karri Ramo was sharp and the Flames were smart enough to let the Coyotes tire themselves out running around the perimeter of the zone. Arizona led in shots (15-5), shot attempts (27-16) and face-off wins (12-5).

The Flames woke up a bit in the third and didn’t seem merely content to hold on. The play was much more even and the Flames pushed more on their chances. Johnny Gaudreau scored on the rush – after getting stone-walled on an earlier breakaway chance – to make it 2-0. Jiri Hudler chipped in a late power-play goal. The remainder of the period was the Flames being content to let the Coyotes run around and playing a lot of chip-and-chase hockey. The game ended 3-0 for the visitors. Calgary led in shots 11-8, Arizona led in shot attempts (27-15) and face-off wins (13-8).

Karri Ramo was good when he had to be. Jiri Hudler generated chances for his side, which were put in the back of the net. Moreover, the Flames didn’t get freaked out too much when Arizona pushed back. They were surprisingly poised and didn’t get too crazy.

Jiri Hudler had three points, including a nice feed on Brodie’s goal and a stretch pass to send Gaudreau in for his goal. Oh, and he also scored a goal on the power-play by heading to the front of the net and bonking in a bouncing puck.

The Flames (15-8-2) head home tonight and are off tomorrow. They’re back on the ice on Monday to prepare for Tuesday’s game with the Arizona Coyotes back at the Saddledome.

25 games down, 57 to go. (In the regular season.)