It’s a Team Game – Calgary had some energy to start the game, but for once Devin Cooley wasn’t doing his best brick wall impression. More than allowed – nobody is ever expected to be perfect – but the Islanders took advantage early. Heading into the second period with a 3-0 lead things got a little more tight, with less space for everyone on the ice. Not much could be done then until the third period, where Calgary started to press a bit more. It led to some good goals from Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman, but the other one just would not drop in. They had their chances, they just could not make them count in this one.

Corsi King – Connor Zary (87.74 per cent) at the top despite limited minutes. It’s more important for who right now to get opportunities? Right the pending UFA wingers that are brand new, such as Victor Olofsson (37.97%). It’s cool to go in the rebuild direction so long as everyone goes in the same direction – I think there may be a disconnect with the coach a little bit. Not completely – he still plays Matvei Gridin (30.69 per cent) regularly – but he can certainly find some more ice time for Zary as well as playing both Hunter Brzustewicz and Zayne Parekh (35.66 per cent) in the same game. Just a more specific eye on the future, it can be better in that area.

Under Pressure –

Taken By Chance – Zach Whitecloud (53.18 SCF% // 62.69 HDCF%) returned with much success to the Flames lineup, partner Yan Kuznetsov (51.15 per cent // 62.69 per cent) also shared in that. It was a give/get night for them – they gave up 3 high danger chances and earned 5. Seeing as the team all together only got 7 in total at 5v5 then it puts into perspective how essential they were to the attack. I thought Zayne Parekh struggled early – he couldn’t get passing lanes to materialize, fumbled with some puck handling, and forced a few plays that came back the other way – but no matter what I felt his positioning defensively was okay. If he made a turnover he was in the right spot to try and clean up his own mistake.

xG Breakdown –

xGF% – This offence, while hot of late, is one of the worst at finishing off their chances in 7 years of covering this team. The “finishers” do not score with regularity at all. Whether it’s Sharangovich (46.29 per cent), Coronato (29.61 per cent), or the new guy Olofsson (43.92 per cent) their goal scorers simply do not finish a proper percentage of their chances off. I have faith Coronato will come around, but he’s the only one outside of Matvei Gridin (18.18 per cent) I believe that has the potential to score 30 in this league. Yes, Sharangovich did that before – but based on the last two years of play and the supporting cast in Calgary I’m not positive he gets close to that again in a Flaming C jersey.

Game Flow –

Game Score –

Shot Heatmap –

In The Crease – Well the easiest bright spot in this whole loss was Dustin Wolf being perfect in relief of Devin Cooley. Coming in at the start of the second and stopping every attempt he saw. That’ll lower the goals against average for you. Cooley just wasn’t his dialed in self, which isn’t a big deal. When you’re top 10 in every major goaltending statistical category you earn the leeway, easily. No major complaints – it wasn’t a blowout, the guy that ended the game was perfect – we take the L and move on!

The Goals –

Robert Munnich

@RingOfFireCGY

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