Post-Game Wrap-Up: Flames grind one out against Columbus

The Calgary Flames had a typically uneven game in their return from a lengthy road trip. But after two fairly flat periods of hockey, they put on their work boots and decided to out-work the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. They staged a third period comeback and beat Columbus 3-2 in overtime.

The first period was basically two periods. In the first chunk of the frame, the Flames seemed content to play a structured road-style game and try to wait until the visitors made a mistake. Unfortunately, the period got away from them a bit through a few of their own gaffes.

Columbus went up 1-0 when a shot went in Cam Talbot definitely wants back. Derek Forbort defended Devin Shore as he came up the side boards and towards the defensive faceoff dot. Forbort kept Shore to the outside, but his wrist shot squeaked through Talbot’s pads and into the net to give the visitors a lead.

The lead went to 2-0 a little while later. Mikael Backlund’s neutral zone pass was intercepted by Columbus. That led to Nick Foligno finding Gustav Nyqvist in the slot (evading a diving Andrew Mangapane back-checking) for a tap-in to make it a two goal Columbus lead.

Shots were 9-8 Blue Jackets and scoring chances 9-5 Blue Jackets in the first period.

Neither team scored in the second period. The Flames had a power play that didn’t generate a ton and Columbus seemed content to sit back and defend the middle of the ice. Joonas Korpisalo made a few very nice stops, but the Flames didn’t do a ton to get bodies in front of him or make redirects.

Shots were 13-6 Flames and scoring chances 10-8 Flames in the second period.

The Flames finally got on the board midway through the third period after some nice plumber work by noted grinder Andrew Mangiapane. He battled along the wall to keep the puck in the offensive zone, then fed the puck to Elias Lindholm for a quick shot that beat Korpisalo to cut the Columbus lead to 2-1.

And the Flames got another to draw even with 1:43 left and the goalie pulled. Mark Giordano’s shot from the wall was redirected by Matthew Tkachuk in front of the net and beat Korpisalo five-hole to tie the game at 2-2.

Shots were 10-4 Flames and scoring chances 7-5 Blue Jackets in the third period.

Off to extra time this game went. After a fairly uneventful back and forth extra frame, TJ Brodie scored off a scramble to win this one 3-2.

The Flames were largely, in a word, flat for the first half of the game. They were in the right places, largely at the right times, but their execution and battle level generally wasn’t where it needed to be to beat a structured, composed Blue Jackets squad. That’s not to say they were awful, but they didn’t have the degree of precision or gumption to get in between the dots against the Jackets.

But the Flames are also a team that can pull off a comeback when they play with desperation, and they were desperate enough to draw even in the third period. And that gave them a fighting chance.

Giordano had six shots and played a ton. He set up the tying goal. He gets the nod.

The Flames really took over the game in the latter half of the third period. The game-tying goal at least ensured they would get a point.

Data via Natural Stat Trick. Percentage stats are 5v5.

Matthew Tkachuk blocked a shot off the inside of his right leg early in the first period. He went down the tunnel a couple times, but only missed one shift – his ice time was roughly the same as linemate Mikael Backlund.

The Flames have 77 points. A 95 point playoff pace through 68 games pro-rates to 78.8 points, so they’re 1.8 points off a likely playoff pace with 14 games to go.

The Flames (35-26-7) are back in action on Friday night in a Pacific Division clash with the Arizona Coyotes.