-Thanks to Retro ReDesign for the pic

In this outrageously early afternoon affair, we saw the 30th placed Sabres host the 26th placed Flames.  The game between these two juggernauts was as you might expect … mediocre with very little highlight reel plays. Until the third period anyways. In the end, the Flames came out victorious, in overtime, over the Sabres.

Prior to the game, the Flames got an extra boost as rookie Sean Monahan made his return to the line-up today.

The game started like most afternoon games, a little diorganized and all over the place.  There were several penalties called on both teams early.  Stafford rang one off the post early but nobody really generated any momentum for either side.  With 17 seconds left the Flames appeared to have scored but there were some complications.  On the penalty kill, Brodie was tripped in the neutral zone.  On the ensuing delayed penalty, the Flamesbroke into the zone and Cammy eventually put it in.  However, it was waved immediately as the Flames had too many men on the ice for goal. Two Flames players jumped in off the bench to serve as the extra attacker in the delayed penalty.  So no dice on that one.

The second period was much of the same.  A little clumsy. Several powerplays and penalty kills for both sides but not much to speak of, offensively.  Buffalo clanked a couple off the post from bad angles and the Flames missed on a couple decent scoring chances in the slot.  All in all, a pretty even period between the two teams.  

Things finally ramped up in the third leading to two goals and a couple of good chances by both sides.  Early into the third, Girgensons broke in on the right side and fed a pass through Brodie’s legs to a wide open Matt Moulson who put Buff on the board.  A few minutes later, Butler, from behind the net, fed former Sabre Paul Byron who tapped it in to even it up.  The Sabres pushed hard to end it in regulation but to no avail.  

Early into overtime, Paul Byron entered the zone, fed Matt Franchise with a dish and Matty ripped it past Enroth.  That’s it and that’s all!

This one goes to Paul Byron.  A goal and an assist and a pretty solid performance against his old club.  Really liked what I saw of the little guy this afternoon.  He now has 5 points in 7 games  since being called up by the big club.

They won because they kept with it after the Sabres goal early in the 3rd.  Usually, it’s the Flames giving up late-ish leads to opponents.  Tonight, they reversed that trend, scoring late to send it to overtime.  Ramo was also a factor as the Sabres really pushed hard in the third.  He kept the Flames afloat and was real good again today.

In a battle of basement dwellers, the Flames came out on top, gaining their second straight overtime victory.  The Flames, who find themselves on a pretty nice little run lately, improve to 13-15-4 and leap frog New Jersey into 25th place overall.  

Next up, the Flames continue their five game road trip tomorrow evening in NYC when they face the Rangers at MSG.