A Game The Calgary Flames Should’ve Won, They Dominated!

Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) has finally scored his first goal of the young season. The collective sigh of relief is almost equals the gale force of a Hurricane. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Our Calgary Flames kept the win-less Carolina Hurricanes win-less.  5-0 was the final score for the men in red but Fan 960’s Pat Steinberg puts things in perfect perspective:

1st period firewood

The Flames goal was the result of Dennis Wideman showing us why he has scored more than 10 goals in a season multiple times.  With Kris Russell‘s pass being to far for him, Wideman patiently and correctly read the bounce off the boards and fired a shot toward the net.  Matt Stajan, Curtis Glencross, possibly even Martin Gelinas tipped the puck before it bulged the twine.

Josh Jooris has the game of a NHL player only 2 games into his pro career.  It’s not flashy but the times I noticed him he was working hard on the fore-check and the back-check.  Jooris’ work within his own zone ranks higher than many a veteran currently playing on our Flames roster.

Paul Byron scored in the opening game of the season versus Vancouver.  Byron has not found the back of the net since and has been snake bit tonight.  Byron had a shift where he got sent in a nifty tip pass by Dennis Wideman but got his shot blocked.  Same shift, Bryon sent the puck through the crease.

2nd period firewood

I was still settling down on the couch from writing the 1st period review when Paul Byron and Matt Stajan broke out on a 2-on-1.  Byron carried the puck and passed, Matt Stajan buries the puck.  If Stajan misses that shot, I’m still glad Byron passed the biscuit.

Sophomore jinx has been lifted!!  Well, at least Sean Monahan finally took the “1st goal of the season monkey” off his back.  Absolutely brilliant cross crease  pass by Jiri Hudler to get the puck to Mony.

Lance Bouma and Brandon Bollig have combined for 6 shots on goal.  The Hurricanes as a team have 11.

3rd period firewood

How different is that 3rd period if Johnny Gaudreau does not save Mason Raymond’s bacon after he gets stripped in the opening moments?  Gaudreau, not known for his defensive zone work, hurries back and breaks up what would have been the best opportunity of the night for the Hurricanes.

Two WONDERFUL passing plays lead to Calgary Flames goals.

After some great work behind the net by Joe Colborne, Jiri Hudler fed Sean Monahan for another “easy goal”.  Josh Jooris has added to his NHL firsts with his first assist to Lance Bouma.

The rest of the period was COAST MODE!  Even in coast mode, the Flames played a solid team game to ensure Jonas Hiller’s shutout.  Which leads me back to my latest YouTube video about Jonas Hiller.

Life won’t be this easy on Saturday versus the Washington Capitals.