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Calgary Flames at the World Championship: Final day of Prelims

By Ramina Shlah

Nov 12, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) on his way to the dressing room after the warmup period against the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) on his way to the dressing room after the warmup period against the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s the final day of the preliminary round for the World Championship today and both Calgary Flames players teams played. Let’s check those out.

Team Canada and Team USA both had their final games of the preliminary rounds which means both players on the Calgary Flames at IIHF were playing. Well actually, just one. Since Canada is basically alternating goaltenders, Chad Johnson got to sit out.

Yesterday’s game didn’t quite matter for Canada because they had already won the first spot in Group B (they still won 5-2 against Finland yesterday). But Germany and Latvia also played for the last quarter-final spot. That game actually went to overtime. It’s funny, it’s like “Hey congrats to the winner of overtime. Your prize… playing Canada in international hockey.”

Germany won that game 4-3 in overtime so good job Germany. Canada and Germany will face off tomorrow for the quarter finals at 12:15 pm mountain time. Now, since Canada has been alternating goaltenders, we can assume Chad Johnson will be between the pipes. But that was for the preliminary round. So it’s hard to say if he’ll for sure get the nod to be in the crease.

Moving on to the USA game yesterday, they won 5-3 against Team Russia and will play Finland tomorrow in the quarter finals. Actually after the game because I didn’t see the end, I was trying to find out the player of the game for Team USA. But protip when doing that: Don’t just search “USA vs Russia” on Google… you won’t get hockey stats.

Moving on, you know that Johnny Gaudreau was doing Johnny Hockey things. He had two assists yesterday to increase his point streak to six games. The only game he didn’t have a point in? The game that USA lost in their first game at the IIHF against Team Germany.

Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames /

Calgary Flames

Via USA Hockey:

"“I thought it was a really good hockey game,” said Jeff Blashill, head coach of the 2017 U.S. Men’s National Team. “The crowd was unreal. The Russian fans are great and it made for an awesome atmosphere. I’m really impressed with our group. They’re a selfless bunch and I thought we took a step forward tonight.”"

Johnny is still tied for first in the entire tournament for goals with 6.

Let’s recap both Calgary Flames players for the prelims:

  • Chad Johnson: 3-0-0, one shutout, has allowed just four goals in three games 0.917 sv%, 1.33 GAA
  • Johnny Gaudreau: Tied in first for goals among all skaters at the tournament (6), leading Team USA in goals, and leading Team USA in points (11)

Damn, looks like the Calgary boys are doing quite well, hey?

Next: Elliotte Friedman Breaks Down Goaltending Options

Until the quarter-finals start, that’s all for now! Make sure to tune in during the rest of the tournament, we’ll still be here giving you the updates.

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