Judge, Jiri Hudler, Executioner – Calgary Flames Win Again!
By Len Nunes
Nov 22, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Jiri Hudler (24) celebrates after scoring a goal in a shootout against the New Jersey Devils at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
The Calgary Flames are NOT using the traditional methods of winning games but they keep finding ways to do so. Let’s focus on that and keep allowing the memories of our Flames finding ways to lose games to continue to fade. Our Calgary Flames defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-4 in a shootout.
The Flames won the game despite having their top defensive pairing of Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie made to look silly on 2 of the 3 New Jersey goals AND Kris Russell looking very un-Kris Russell-like on the goal that opened the scoring for the opponents. So while a person wants to say this wasn’t backup goaltender Karri Ramo‘s best performance, it was Ramo who kept the Calgary Flames in the game long enough for the home team to capture victory.
To repeat most of the above statement from a New Jersey point of view:
After hearing how great Giordano and Brodie are, it's awkward seeing them leave Cammalleri ALL alone on that goal.
— Pucks and Pitchforks (@pitchforkedpuck) November 23, 2014
Ramo having a great game. Truly keeping the Flames alive.
— Pucks and Pitchforks (@pitchforkedpuck) November 23, 2014
I was pleasantly surprised that the Flames Coach Bob Hartley drew up his lineup card which included a 4th line of Sven Baertschi–Corban Knight-Devin Setoguchi. With all due respect to Brandon Bollig and Brian McGrattan, the chance to see all the “kids” in the lineup was an exciting prospect. Michael Ferland finished the 1st period with the team lead in shots (3). Corban Knight did something the “kid” he replaced (Max Reinhart) struggled to do and that was win face-offs (4 of 6). Not quite sure why Knight got the nod for third shooter in the shootout but hey, we won so let’s not nitpick.
When New Jersey made it 4-2, winning was the last thing on my mind. Enter Jiri Hudler!
The line of Johnny Gaudreau-Markus Granlund-Jiri Hudler was the most dangerous Flames forward line creating the most offensive chances but also being dinged with -2’s next to their names. Hudler erased those minuses with the goal that it made a one goal deficit (with the Flames net empty already) and an assist on the goal (with the Flames net still empty) that sent the game to overtime. Good things happen in the three’s as Jiri Hudler would also pot the deciding goal in the shootout for our Flames.
Wow, just wow!