Calgary Flames Daily: Post-Game Win, Gillies Shines

Happy Friday Calgary Flames fans! It’s a rainy day here in Calgary. Let’s check out some Flames news over the last day.

The Calgary Flames played their second last game of the regular season against the Los Angeles Kings last night. With the Flames already clinching a playoff spot, they’re a little more relaxed. And decide they want to give opportunities to some players to get another game in before playoffs start. So Matt Stajan, Lance Bouma, and Michael Stone were out of the lineup last night. Curtis Lazar, Freddie Hamilton, and Dennis Wideman were in.

And how did that end up working out?

Well, Wideman and Freddie each had a goal last night. I know, Wideman. I’m shocked too. AND it was on a breakaway as Wideman came out of the penalty box. It was basically the slowest breakaway I’ve ever seen but somehow he scored fivehole. That also ended up being the game-winner.

It’s kind of funny, actually. Wideman got a roughing penalty for basically just touching Trevor Lewis and the entire Flames roster was confused as to why that was a penalty. So Wideman scores coming out of the penalty box and had a chuckle with the ref after.

There was another new face in the lineup last night.

Jon Gillies.

With Chad Johnson suffering an injury early in the game against the Anaheim Ducks, the Flames recalled Jon Gillies from the Stockton Heat and decided for him to have his NHL debut against the Kings. And boy, was he spectacular.

In fact, before him, there have been 23 goaltenders who made their NHL debut as a Flame. And only four of them have won in their debut.

Well, now that number is at five. Gillies stopped 27 of 28 shots he faced, rightfully earning him the first star of the game. None topped this save, though.

Actually, it’s ironic because Gillies wears number 32. He wears that number because Jonathan Quick, goaltender for the LA Kings, wears that number and he was always Gillies’ favourite player. So it’s funny that Gillies gets his NHL debut in LA. When Quick isn’t in net.

Gillies spent his life watching Quick in net, but last night, Quick was watching him.

Calgary Flames

Via Calgaryflames.com:

"“Honestly, it’s in LA, which was my favourite team until I got drafted by the Flames,” Gillies said. “It’s a building I watched a lot of hockey in online when I was in college and stuff like that.“Most of all, it’s that my parents were able to be here and my little brother was able to be here and three of my four very best friends in the entire world were able to fly out. That means the world to me.”“He was great,” defenceman Dennis Wideman said. “He played great, he made a lot of big saves, he looked really comfortable. We’re happy for him. It’s his first game. First game, first win. It was great for him and I’m sure he was really excited.”"

Some links surrounding the Flames to get you through your day

Calgary Flames: Making a case for the 2016-2017 Stanley Cup (Puck Prose).

Flames’ Jon Gillies gets win in 1st career start (CBC Sports).

Glen Gulutzan makes most of Calgary Flames opportunity (Yahoo Sports).

Hawks Ducks or Oil? (Matchsticks & Gasoline).

Third man in? Flames goaltending coach Sigalet hopes it never comes to that (Calgary Herald).

Some other links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Anger over Olympic decision could mean another NHL labour war (Sportsnet).

Stanley Cup playoff bracket challenge returns (NHL.com).

April 2, 1992: NHL players hit the links on Day 2 of first strike (CBC News).

Next: How will the Flames fare against the Blackhawks?

That’s all in this edition of Flames Daily! Thanks for tuning in!