Yikes. Guys. Did we all see that?

The Flames and Panthers played an “NHL” game tonight filled with “goaltending” and “defence.” The Panthers won 6-5 and the Flames just couldn’t get out their own way. Come see what happened here!

It was a bit of a crazy start to this game. The Flames looked as though they would be able to get a quick start on the travel-weary Panthers but it didn’t last too long. Aaron Ekblad made an (COMEDY ALERT) Ek-Bad turnover that found its way to Matty Franchise’s tape. Stajan blew it past Montoya to go ahead 1-0 less than three minutes in. 

One bad giveaway deserves another though and Jonas Hiller gifted a puck to Brad Boyes who found Huberdeau in front to tie the game at one. Certainly not Hiller’s finest moment as a puck handler. After the Panthers tied the game, they took over play in the first. The Flames would not get another shot on net after their goal until the 13 minute mark of the period.  

The Panthers pulled ahead 2-1 off of another defensive turnover, this one by Joe Colborne, after Huberdeau fed Boyes in front who tipped it past Hiller. The Flames looked completely anemic after the Panthers scored their first goal. It was not pretty. The Flames were being outshot by an 11-2 margin through the first 15 minutes of this one and I think Jeremy sums this up pretty well.

However! The Panthers took a delay of game penalty and sent the usually incompetent Flames powerplay to work. T.J Brodie took a shot and Montoya managed to both save and miss the shot. The result was a Brodie goal and the game was inexplicably tied. Al Montoya is really bad. 

The first ended 2-2 and the Flames were really fortunate. The Panthers out-shot the Flames 13-6.

The Flames started the second much better, including a powerplay that overlapped the period. Paul Byron hit the post on the powerplay but the Flames were unable to capitalize. However, two minutes later, Backlund, who should be extended like yesterday, potted his second goal in as many games to put the Flames up 3-2, the third goal on ten shots for Montoya. 

However, the defensive nightmare continued for the Flames and another turnover led to another Panthers goal 20 seconds later. This time the disaster twins (Smidland) presided over the defensive chaos. 

Friend of the Flames Al Montoya then granted the Flames the lead back with another fairly standard T.J Brodie shot trickling through his five-hole, putting the Flames up 4-3. That was the fourth goal on 12 shots on Montoya which I believe is not great for goaltenders. 

Towards the end of the second period, the Flames were able to push back and take the play more consistently to the Panthers. But because nothing in life makes sense, the Panthers tie the game at 4-4 on a Jimmy Hayes goal from beyond the circle. Again, not Hiller’s finest moment. Just not a great game all around for Hiller. 

The second ended with the score tied 4-4 and the Panthers leading in the shot department 22-16. Reall, a nasty period from both teams. One that they both would like to forget. 

The third started with the Flames controlling play but unable to capitalize. Gaudreau and Backlund had an excellent shift with a lot of zone time but no quality chances. The Panthers were able to take advantage of this and scored a very, very bad goal that may or may not have been deflected by a high stick. The video was inconclusive but the goal still stank. 

Just when it looked like the Panthers took the lead and would never look back, David Jones made a great inside play and Matt Stajan tied the game at 5. BUT! BECAUSE ARE YOU KIDDING ME I THE PANTHERS SCORED LIKE A MILLISECOND LATER. WOW. KILL ME. 6-5. 

No one won this game, but the Panthers lost it less. 

The Flames had a lot of players with veryyy sub-par nights tonight including Monahan, Jones, Glencross, and Russell. However, Brodie had a couple of goals and generally played quite well, something we have come to expect from Brodano.

While it was certainly a weird/horrible game for the Flames, no matter what the score ended up as, one player stood out.. However, your friend and mine Mikael Backlund continued his strong return to the lineup with a goal and an assist. He was dangerous all night for the Flames and had a number of very strong offensive shifts. Brad, buddy, re-sign him now please?

Also, Bouma had three assists. That’s the kind of night it was. 

Firstly, as your probably know, the Flames made a trade today. Centre Corban Knight was traded back to the team he snubbed after his draft, these same Florida Panthers, in exchange for 6’3 200lb centre Drew Shore. I like the deal as Shore seems to be ahead of Knight in terms of production. He also has had a much for extended look in the NHL (67 games) and can play RW as well. Flames take advantage of Florida’s logjam at centre (Barkov was a scratch tonight fyi) and trade one decent player for a better one. High fives BT. Here’s Shore’s numbers so far in his career from hockeydb.com (UPDATE: I SEE RYAN POSTED A WHOLE ARTICLE ABOUT THIS SO GO CHECK IT OUT)

Also, it was a good night for some Flames top prospects in Adirondack. Despite the fact that the AHL Flames lost in OT, Poirier and Sven Baertschi each had three points tonight, Poirier with two goals and a helper and Sven with a goal and two assists. So that is good!

As for the game tonight? Yuck. Ew. Gross. Let’s never speak of it again. Hiller sucked. Monahan was flu-like. The Smid-Engelland pair returned. Everything sucked. Al Montoya was the only reason this game was close. 

Flames are in Vancouver tomorrow night for a game against the dreaded Nucks.