Quips and Quotes: Flames beat Blues 7-2

The Calgary Flames beat the St. Louis Blues by a 7-2 score on Sunday afternoon. Here are selected reactions from players and coaches following the game.

The Flames have relied upon late offensive outbursts for points on several occasions this season. But they’ve been productive early in a few games, and Sunday afternoon was one of them.

“We did a good job starting on time here today,” said Flames head coach Bill Peters. “Looked a little fatigued at the end, but did enough early to get the job done and special teams were real good. Three for four, I believe, on the power play, and two for two on the kill.”

Flames captain Mark Giordano echoed his coach’s sentiments, giving credit to the team’s special teams units for the two points.

“Our start obviously was really good,” said Giordano. “I think our special teams carried the play tonight. That was a big difference in the game. We had a really good first period, we were moving it. After that it was tough, ’cause teams take a lot of chances. I thought they had a good cycle going, but we kept them to the outside for the most part and didn’t give them too many chances.”

The Flames are now 17-5-2 since their 9-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 25. Since then the Flames have scored 89 goals (2nd in the NHL), allowed 56 (1st), scored on 27.8% of their power plays (6th) and killed 83.1% of penalties they’ve taken (8th).

Mikael Backlund returned from the injured reserve list after missing four games working through the NHL’s concussion protocol. Peters offered a pretty straight-forward assessment of his second line center.

“He was good,” said Peters. “You got to be realistic with your expectations coming off that type of injury and the amount of time he’s missed. And he’ll be honest with you – I’ve already talked to him – a little heavy legged at the end, but did a real good job and gives you solid pro minutes with a guy that knows how to play every time he takes the ice.”