Calgary Flames Lose To Nashville…Err…Washington Capitals

Calgary Flames center Paul Byron (32) has been snake bit this season attempting to score his 2nd goal. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Our Calgary Flames lost 3-1 to the Washington Capitals dropping their record to 5-4-1.  In layman terms, the Flames are now back at .500 10 games into the season.  At the beginning of the season, staring at that horrible 6 game road, most Calgary Flames would have gladly accepted a .500 record at this point.  Keep your chins up fans!  At least this season, Captain Mark Giordano is still healthy (Giordano broke his ankle just over a year ago).

1st period firewood

Dennis Wideman has a goal in 5 of his past 6 games. Dennis Wideman has been a different player since his benching in the 2nd game of the season.  Might I suggest Curtis Glencross gets the next “always earned, never given” victim.

Curtis Glencross has been just a little off since the Calgary Flames returned home from their road trip.  In this period, Glencross lost the handle on a shot he normally would have been able to get away, TWICE.  Glencross’ passes seem to be going a little wide no matter which zone or which direction he is attempting to make them.

The 4th line of Brandon Bollig–Lance Bouma–Josh Jooris gave up shots on Karri Ramo on three straight shifts.  My concern here is that the Flames are the home team and have the power of “last change”.  If this trio keeps giving up shots against the opposing teams 3rd & 4th lines, what happens when the Flames go back on the road and the opposing coach sends out their top line against them?

2nd period firewood

Matt Stajan finished 12 of 21 in the faceoff circle.  A majority of those faceoff losses happened in this period.  I counted 3 faceoff loses that directly lead to Washington Capital shots.

The trio of Mason Raymond–Mikael Backlund–Johnny Gaudreau were the best line of either team in the period.  Gaudreau continues to astound me with ability to create something out of less than nothing.

Josh Jooris was hit twice on the shift and both times they could have been penalties.  Brook Orpik, clear as day on my television set, went behind the net and squarely hit Jooris in the namebar – – no call.  Up the ice, Jooris was trying to poke the puck out of the zone and got steamrolled by Orpik (it looked worse than it really was but the point is it should have been called a charge).  Enter Brandon Bollig to the rescue.

3rd period firewood

The Calgary Flames pulled Karri Ramo for the final 2:41 of the game.  ZERO SHOTS!!

Another sign Curtis Glencross may be well served to spend a night in the press box – – with just over 6 minutes remaining in a two goal deficit game, he earns himself a 2+10 penalty.  Can’t score if you are NOT on the ice!  5-1 game, go ahead, take the early shower, not a 3-1 game.

At the 10:47 mark Brandon Bollig took a completely useless 2+10 penalty.

I look forward to a much better effort on Tuesday versus Montreal.  My favourite goalie returns to the crease.