Game Recap – Calgary Flames Host Colorado Avalanche Dec 6

Photo Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

It was the typical Flames team that came out swinging against the Colorado Avalanche, fell apart later in the game, and then fought back with not enough time on the clock.

The Calgary Flames absolutely dominated the Colorado Avalanche in the first period. At the 12:59 marker, Kris Russell took a shot from the blue line and capitalized on Stempniak’s screen in front of Giguere. Giguere threw his hands in the air at the ref, wondering why a penalty wasn’t called against Stempniak for interference. The replay clearly showed that Stempniak was not in the blue paint, therefore it was no interference. The goalie was not impressed and made his opinion clear by pushing his net off the pegs and against the back boards.

MacDermid seemed to be out to prove something tonight when he took a run at Giguere and was then approached by the Avalanche’s McLeod. MacDermid and McLeod threw a few punches and it was over quickly. Giordano led the defensive play and protected Ramo in net as though the ankle injury had never even happened. The first period ended with the Flames on top, 1-0.

The second period quickly turned sour for the Flames. As the defense got soft, the Avalanche capitalized. Talbot and Parenteau each got goals within 54 seconds of each other, which put Colorado over the Flames. Talbot was a constant thorn in the side of the Flames team all night long and he did what he was supposed to do in the second by throwing them off their game.

The third period was much of the same, MacKinnon scored the third Avalanche goal, to put them up two goals on the Flames. With less than two minutes left in the game, Calgary got their second wind, and Stajan tipped in a shot by Cammalleri. But it wouldn’t be enough. If there would have been five minutes left in the period, the Flames may have been able to take the game into overtime, but they ended up falling to the Colorado Avalanche by a score of  3-2.

My 1 Star

Sven Baertschi. He wears his heart on his sleeve and always seems to put in the utmost effort during every game. He may not be able to score as much as the coaching would like, but I see a lot of effort from this player. Last night’s game was a perfect example of this. Baertschi just couldn’t buy a goal no matter what happened. He was in position, he was given the passes, and he took shots on net. Baertschi ended up with a lone assist and a -1 rating during last night’s game, which doesn’t describe the effort he put in. This season, he’s been under a lot of scrutiny, but this 21 year old from Sweden seems to be taking it all in stride and attempting to prove himself worthy with determination during each game.

The Calgary Flames are in Edmonton tonight to take on the Oilers. Puck drop is 8pm, MT. The Battle of Alberta rages on…