Calgary Flames, The Champions of Sylvan Lake

Mar 15, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Calgary Flames left winger Curtis Glencross (20) OVERTIME WINNER! Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Calgary Flames have defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-3 to not only win the game but the event that was Kraftville Sylvan Lake.

1st Period Firewood

I thought Joni Ortio played a job threatening type of period.  None of the shots he faced were high quality chances but looking at the two goals the Coyotes scored in the first period, the first was a defensive breakdown and the second was bad luck.

The Coyotes goal that opened the scoring at the 8:56 mark was a case of defenseman Patrick Sieloff and Sheldon Brookbank puck watching and David Wolf losing the late man on the rush.  Sieloff and Brookbank would again be the defensive unit on the ice when the Coyotes made it 2-0.

The Calgary Flames had multiple odd man rushes but could not find the back of the net until the dying minutes of the period whilst on their second powerplay of the frame.  The defensive combination of Raphael Diaz and Kris Russell looked solid on both the Flames powerplay attempts but it was a shot by defenseman Deryk Engelland that broke the goose egg.

2nd Period Firewood

At the 2:00 minute markBrian McGrattan scored a PlayStation-esque snipe goal from a feed by Markus Granlund.  McGrattan had already fired two shots on goal during the first period.  Is the old dog learning a new trick?  Oh yeah, it’s preseason, nevermind.

A much better period for Patrick Sieloff! Aside from a late penalty, Sieloff was solid all in all 3 zones.  Another Calgary Flames defensive prospect outshined though, Brett Kulak.

While killing off the Johnny Gaudreau penalty, Kulak made a great defensive play to keep his man away from the juicy rebound that Ortio had kicked out.  Later in the period, his effort to keep the puck in the Coyotes zone, and subsequent shot on goal, would lead to another Flames powerplay.

Morgan Klimchuk is struggling.  Coach Bob Hartley has had the WHL bound Klimchuk out with almost every Calgary Flame.  Originally pencilled in with Curtis Glencross and Joe Colborne, Klimchuk saw ice time with combinations including Max Reinhart and Sven Baertschi but nothing to seem to get the youngster on track.  Klimchuk was on the ice for the Coyotes goal.

With 10 seconds remaining Sven Baertschi ties the game at 3.  I want to be excited for Baertschi but Markus Granlund is still outplaying him.

Sorry I missed most of the 3rd period.

Overtime Firewood

Joe Colborne has been on the 1st team penalty killing unit all night including the opening of the overtime.  Mr. Colborne was given a golden opportunity tonight by Coach Hartley.  Mr. Colborne gets an A.

Curtis Glencross with the game winner on a goal that would have counted even if instant replay was being used.  One wonders though, if this was a “regular” preseason game in Arizona, if the refs overturn the original no goal call?