Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
With the Flames looking to redeem themselves in a rebuild year, and the Sharks looking to clinch a playoff spot, there was a lot of pride on the line that came down to a shootout last night.
The first period between the Flames and Sharks saw a lot of back and forth turnovers in the neutral zone. Calgary was in top form defensively, but San Jose put a lot of pressure on the net. San Jose persisted and scored the first goal to take the lead starting the second.
Calgary’s offensive lines stepped up and took the reins in the second period, lessening the gap between shots on net. The Flames persistence also paid off during the game when Tyler Wotherspoon made the perfect pass to Joe Colborne, who stood by himself in front of the Sharks net because of a defensive mistake by San Jose, and the Flames potted their first goal to tie the game at 1-1.
The third period solved nothing, neither team able to net that game winning goal. Overtime was five minutes of the same and the game was heading into the dreaded shootout.
The only goal was scored by Mike Cammalleri and the Flames took their fourth win in six games with a score of 2-1.
Because of the points given out during a shooutout, the San Jose Sharks have no clinched a spot in the playoffs this year, and Calgary won the game. It’s a win-win situation.
My 1 Star
Karri Ramo. He stood on his head the entire game, especially in the first period, keeping the Flames still smouldering as they found their offensive capabilities. After the first period, Calgary should have been down by at least three goals, but Ramo stonewalled the Sharks, turning away all but one goal. And it was the only goal he would let in all night – including the shootout. This is only his second game back since missing 15 games with a lower body injury and he’s done a spectacular job since his return, winning 8-1 against Edmonton and now 2-1 against San Jose.
The next game for the Flames is on Wednesday, March 26th, when they take on the Anaheim Ducks, who will be looking for revenge after Calgary won the last game against them with a score of 7-2.
Go Flames Go!