Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below!
The Calgary Flames headed into Texas on Thursday for their clash with the Dallas Stars with a big opportunity ahead of them. After earning five points in their five prior road games on their lengthy six game trek, they had the opportunity to finish their trip above .500 with a win.
Well, they couldn’t quite hold onto a third period lead as they seemed to run out of steam, but the Flames earned a crucial point via a 3-2 overtime loss to the Stars.

The rundown

The Flames managed to get off to a good start, and they opened the scoring just past two minutes into the first period. Joel Farabee received a pass from Blake Coleman in the neutral zone and wiggled his way into the Dallas zone. He deked around Lian Bichsel and then went top shelf on Jake Oettinger to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.
The Stars had a stretch where they pressed for the equalizer, but the Flames managed to defend fairly well and keep Dallas off the board.
First period shots were 10-6 Flames. Via Natural Stat Trick, five-on-five scoring chances were 8-3 Stars (high-dangers were 3-2 Stars).
Early in the second period, the Flames scored again. Coleman threw the puck into the net-front area from below the Stars’ goal line. A frenzy ensued in front, ending with Mikael Backlund batting a rebound past Oettinger to make it 2-0 Flames.
A couple minutes later, though, Dallas responded back. As the Flames went through a line change, the Stars rushed up ice. Dan Vladar made the initial stop on Mathew Dumba, but Wyatt Johnston buried the rebound to get Dallas on the board and cut Calgary’s lead to 2-1.
Second period shots were 14-9 Flames. Five-on-five scoring chances were 8-6 Stars (high-danger chances were 5-3 Stars).
The Flames went into a defensive shell for much of the third period, trying to hold off the Stars as they tried to get the equalizer.
Midway through the period, though, Dallas evened things up. The Stars entered the Flames’ zone with numbers off a flip-pass. They backed the Flames defenders in, and Jason Robertson fired a low shot from the top of the circles that beat Vladar to tie the game at 2-2.
Third period shots were 9-3 Stars.
This game required overtime to settle. Both teams had great chances in extra time. Both teams probably could’ve won.
But in the final minute of overtime, the Flames got their coverage crossed up in their own end after Matt Duchene cut across the zone. That left Robertson in front, and he redirected a feed from Roope Hintz past Vladar to give the Stars a 3-2 victory.

Why the Flames got a point

Aside from running out of steam in the final period, this was arguably the Platonic idea of Flames Hockey. They played with structure. They checked well. They didn’t give Dallas space to gain much speed in the neutral zone. And while the Flames didn’t do a ton offensively, they were opportunistic and fully earned their goals with individual efforts and smart execution around the net.
Dallas is a really good hockey team and the Flames played them very hard and fully were deserving of this point in the standings.

Red Warrior

Man, Joel Farabee’s first period goal was superb, but his entire game was really good, too. His line with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman were the Flames’ best unit, too.

Turning point

Robertson’s game-tying goal seemed to let the air out of the Flames’ tires a bit. They earned a point, but before that goal there was a sense that maybe they could’ve gotten two.

This and that

Backlund’s goal was his first since Jan. 23 against Buffalo.
The Flames finished their road trip with a 2-2-2 record.
The Flames used nine different skaters in overtime: Andersson, Huberdeau, Backlund, Frost, Sharangovich, Coronato, Hanley (for the opening face-off only), Weegar and Kadri. Among the players that didn’t see the ice in overtime: Zary, Coleman and Farabee. On the broadcast, late in the third period and in overtime Sportsnet colour commentator Greg Millen noted he thought Sharangovich struggled with the game’s pace.

Up next

The Flames (29-23-10) have a travel day on Friday as they head back from Dallas (and navigate the trade deadline). They’re back in action on Saturday night when they host the Montreal Canadiens.

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