Special Teams and Faceoffs Light Way For Calgary Flames Win

Oct 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Calgary Flames goalie Karri Ramo (31) makes a save against Nashville Predators center Craig Smith (15) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. The Flames won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

The Calgary Flames won 47 of 82 face-offs (57%).  The Calgary Flames penalty kill went a perfect 2-2.  Both penalty kills were in the 1st period when the game was tied.  The Calgary Flames powerplay went 1-3, scoring on their first opportunity.

Mix in a couple AMAZING Karri Ramo saves and Flames fans will wake up smiling tomorrow after defeating the Nashville Predators 3-2 in a shootout.

1st period firewood

Our Calgary Flames, notoriously poor in the faceoff circle last season, won 57% of face-offs in the period.  The one faceoff the Flames lost cleanly in their own zone, ended up in their own net.  Joe Colborne had won his previous two defensive zone draws.

The Calgary Flames forecheck in the period was stuff of legends.  Multiple times, the Flames hemmed the Predators into their zone for more than 20 seconds without actually having the puck.

Curtis Glencross and Devin Setoguchi seem to have magnets in their sticks deflecting the puck away from them.  Sean Monahan and Mark Giordano were both burned on offensive opportunities by the Predators.

 A “good to be lucky, lucky to be good goal” by TJ Brodie sent the teams to intermission tied at one. UPDATE – TJ Brodie would complete the trifecta and be either brutally beat on D or commit a brutal turnover in each period of the game.

2nd period firewood

The Calgary Flames score a goal on the their first powerplay of the night almost by accident.  A pass slips through the skates of Devin Setoguchi and captain Mark Giordano wires it home.

Staying with Setoguchi, the line of Setoguchi-Sean Monahan–Jiri Hudler had two(2) separate shifts where they hemmed the Predators in the own zone and peppered the net (and backboards) with shots.  Monahan has joined Setoguchi in fighting with the puck but credit where it’s due – – both young men are fighting their hearts out!  A pat on the back to both Setoguchi and Monahan.

Brandon Bollig was making the most of his few minutes on the ice but was the victim of poor decision making on the Nashville goal.  Bollig failed to clear the zone, then lost his man in defensive zone coverage.  That combination generally leads to the result that happened tonight, Bollig fishing the puck out of his own net.

Dennis Wideman left after being cut by a skate in the neutral zone after effectively slipping into the skates of the Predators players.  Wideman returned about six minutes later and was noticed making multiple turnovers.  At least he is okay.  UPDATE– – Wideman was the missing defenseman on the 2-on-1 in the overtime which Kris Russell (who had 5 blocked shots on the night) broke up neatly with his stick.

3rd period firewood

Karri Ramo faced 21 shots in the game.  Jonas Hiller faced 19 shots in the 2nd period alone Saturday in St. Louis.  A person wants to be excited about how much better the Flames defense played overall but at times in this period, Ramo was left to fend himself!

TJ Brodie allowed James Neal behind him for a breakaway but was saved by an offside.  As the Flames powerplay ended, Ramo had to make a point blank save to keep the game tied.  Deryk Engelland plays the role of pylon allowing a 2-on-1 against Ramo which leads to Ramo’s save of the night!  Deryk Engelland is my vote for healthy scratch tomorrow night in Chicago to allow Rafa Diaz back into the lineup.

Lance Bouma left the game three minutes into the period after going awkwardly into the boards with the Predators Gaustad.  Bouma did not return.  The play looked scary so I would expect Brian McGrattan to swap into the lineup tomorrow night in his place.

Speaking of tomorrow night in Chicago, Devin Setoguchi has earned his spot in that lineup!  The trio of Setoguchi-Monahan (who had 6 shots)-Hudler played the strongest, most consistent game of any line the Flames have iced in this young season.

I would not be surprised if Johnny Gaudreau is “rested” tomorrow night in Chicago if David Jones is “healthy” enough to play.  I still think Johnny Hockey is a potential Calder Trophy candidate but I feel he could use a night off.

Shootout Breakdown

6′”5 Joe Colborne outreached 6’5″ Pekka Rinne to score.  Karri Ramo did the rest!