Quips and Quotes: Flames beat Red Wings 5-3

The Calgary Flames beat the Detroit Red Wings by an 5-3 score on Wednesday night. Here are selected reactions from players and coaches following the game.

The Flames were out-shot and out-chanced in the opening period by the Red Wings, and deservedly went into the first intermission down by a pair of goals. Flames head coach Bill Peters noted that the team improved as the game went on.

“I thought we got better every period,” said Peters. “I thought we got better as it went. It wasn’t a Picasso, but we’ll take the two points.”

The absence of “Big Save” David Rittich due to an injury likely caused some anxiety among Flames fans. But Mike Smith made 29 saves and looked pretty solid in the game – the three goals he gave up were two defensive lapses and a penalty shot.

It was Smith’s second appearance in the last nine games and he was happy to be back in net.

“We didn’t play our best hockey game tonight, but this team just finds ways to win hockey games,” said Smith. “It felt good to be a part of one. I hadn’t been in there lately. It felt good to be back in there and get a big win.”

Peters tipped his cap to his goaltender following the game.

“We were a little loose at times,” said Peters. “And when he needed to be there for us, he was, and it was good to see.”

The good news is the Flames’ top line was very solid. They scored four goals – two at even strength and two on the power play – and each player on the line had multiple points.

That said, the team will need contributions from all of their lines to have lasting success.

“We lean on them heavily,” said Peters. “I thought the other night at home we got contributions throughout the lineup. We didn’t get that quite as well tonight through the four lines. We’re gonna need it. We’re gonna need it tomorrow. We’re gonna need it moving forward in the second half of the season.”