POST GAME: WHAT ELSE DID YOU EXPECT?

Ho-hum. Flames score again with the goalie pulled and win in overtime. Yawn. 

Read all about it after the jump!

The first was a good one for the Flames despite the fact that no one scored. Josh Jooris almost continued his march towards an inevitable 50 goal season but deflected a Jiri Hudler shot off of the post.  Ferland had a couple good scoring chances, one off of a nice feed from Byron but he was unable to cash. 

I have been a big fan of Ferland in his stay with the Flames so far but I wonder why the Flames haven’t tried him in more of a checking role, especially when his game is so clearly suited for it. I know it is not that big of an issue but I can’t help but imagine why the Flames wouldn’t have tried swapping Sven and Ferland but hey, who cares, they’re winning. Plus, Ferland ended up having his best game as a pro tonight so what do I know?

The Flames came out of the gates flying to start the second. Paul Byron, who is simply the best guy, drew a penalty from being fast, annoying, and amazing. On the ensuing powerplay, Johnny Gaudreau proved that normal physics do not apply to him and made a simply fantastic zone entry and fired a puck across to Wideman who knocked the friggen thing out of mid air to put the Flames up 1-0. 

A minute later, Michael Ferland took an interference penalty and sent the Avs to the powerplay where the Avs scored a bit of a flukey goal that was the subject of a lengthy review. It turned out that Briere “powered” the puck into the net which I kinda thought was weird phrasing but either way, no goal and the Flames maintained their one-goal lead. 

The Avs controlled play for the majority of the second period and the Flames couldn’t hang on to their slim lead. Ryan O(ffersheet)’Reilly  and Matt Duchene completed a two-on-one to even the game at one, capitalizing on a shot block in the defensive zone. Ramo had absolutely no chance. 

Unfortunately, the Avs didn’t stop there. The Flames, unable to play Brodano for 60 minutes a night, had to put out the disaster twins Engelland and Smid and were victimized. Zach Redmond fired a puck in off of Nick Holden or Smid, it’s hard to tell. Either way, the Avs took a 2-1 lead with under five minutes to play in the second. 

After a strong opening couple of minutes, the Flames got eaten alive in the second period, especially at even-strength. Towards the very end of the period, the Flames were able to get some chances but gave up a ton of chances to the Avs and were fortunate to only be down by a single goal.

The Flames began their regularly scheduled third period comeback less than two minutes into the period. Tyson Barrie made a mind-numbingly bad giveaway to Sean Monahan who fed David Jones who placed the puck onto Glencross’ stick for a point-blank one-timer that Glencross buried. 2-2.  

However, this comeback looked like it might not be destined to be. After a third period of trading chances, Alex Tanguay turned Russell inside out and scored a very pretty goal to put the Avs back in front for with five minutes left to play. A nice goal to be sure but I am sure that Russell won’t be too proud of that effort.

However, if you doubted this team, shame on you. Did I have the rest of the post game already written? Perhaps. BUT I NEVER DOUBTED THEM FOR A SECOND.

With the goalie pulled, Dennis Wideman scored his tenth, as in 10 goals, as in DENNIS WIDEMAN HAS SCORED 10 TIMES, to tie the game again forcing overtime. Off the opening faceoff in overtime, Paul Byron was absolutely robbed on a breakaway but fret not! Sean Monahan won the game after a rebound sat alone in the crease. Flames win. Flames somehow win again.

I have no idea how they keep doing this but I hope it never ends.

Here is Monahan’s winner thanks to steph (@myregularface).

Dennis Wideman had a great game with two goals and Karri Ramo battled hard in the net all game but I think the choice is a relatively easy one. 

Michael Ferland was far and away the most dangerous Flames forward for large stretches of tonight’s game despite that fact that he is still looking for his first NHL goal. The Flames have some interesting decisions to make in the coming days with players returning from injury. Surely, there will be some tough demotions and the Flames will have to make decisions on Sven, Ferland, and Granlund’s NHL future.

Also, Ferland did this tonight which was pretty cool.