Paul Byron Scores, Mark Giordano Streak At 8, Flames Win

Nov 13, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Deryk Engelland (29) and Arizona Coyotes right wing B.J. Crombeen (44) fight during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Remember those games the Calgary Flames won mainly because of Jonas Hiller.  Tonight’s Calgary Flames win was despite Jonas Hiller.  Our Calgary Flames defeat the Arizona Coyotes 5-3 and take 2 out of 3 during their “Connor McDavid stretch of games“.

I have never liked the idea of putting Sean Monahan between Curtis Glencross and David Jones.  Even petitioned against it in one of my articles! Tonight they earned my full respect.  Each and every one of them played a solid game.  I especially loved the sequence in the 2nd period when TJ Brodie drove the puck to the net, and after a scramble in the crease, the puck went back to the point where 20 year old Monahan was covering for Brodie.

1st period firewood

By the time I tuned into the game, Deryk Engelland is fighting BJ Crombeen.

At the time of the fight (8:10), the Flames were leading in the shot department 4-0.  The Coyotes would get the next couple shots and next few scoring chances in the game before Paul Byron, who at times I wonder if he could hit the ocean from the shore, scored a goal to gain the momentum back.

Sven Baertschi earned his first point since his call up.  Sven Baertschi also earned himself 35 seconds of powerplay ice time but a turnover with about two minutes to go afforded the Coyotes not one but two scoring chances.

Curtis Glencross had one of his better periods of the season.  His shots were hitting the net, his passes were going to their intended recipients, his legs kept skating.  That was the Curtis Glencross who could potentially score 20 goals in a season.

2nd period firewood

The following tweet sums up Jonas Hiller‘s 2nd period.

Josh Jooris took a penalty going after the Coyotes Chipchura after he hit Sven Baertschi HARD.  I was okay with penalty before the Coyotes scored and am okay with the goal after the Coyotes scored their powerplay goal.  You HAVE to stand up for your team mates, I will always accept these kind of penalties.

As I type this, Eric Francis just reported on Sportsnet that Johnny Gaudreau has been told to move in with defenseman Kris Russell and move out of his downtown apartment.  The timing is ironic because this second period has been one of the quieter periods of hockey Gaudreau has had since his benching.

The tandem of Paul Byron and Sven Baertschi produced Calgary’s 2nd goal.  The tandem of Curtis Glencross and Sean Monahan produced the Flames 3rd goal.  The tandem of TJ Brodie and Mark Giordano produced Calgary’s 3rd goal.  Suppose Mr. Gaudreau is entitled to a period off with this many other players chipping in.

3rd period firewood

Sven Baertschi played a whooping 2:24 in the 3rd period.  The only other Calgary forwards with less overall game time on the ice, Brian McGrattan and Max Reinhart.  I would bet my house (if I had one) that Baertschi and Reinhart are the first ones to go back to Adirondack as Joe Colborne and Mason Raymond come back.

Josh Jooris finished the night at 44% in the faceoff circle but during the third period, while the game was still a one goal game, won back-to-back defensive zone draws.  Jooris is here to stay!!

It was sweet justice that David Jones scored the Flames 5th goal to ice the game.  So much respect for the trio of Glencross-Monahan-Jones tonight with a combined 9 shots and 7 takeaways!!