Calgary Flames Turning Their Season Around?
Was the Calgary Flames third period comeback and eventual shoot-out win against the Dallas Stars the start of them turning their season around?
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For much of the year, we’ve seen the Calgary Flames performing somewhat dismally. Maybe it’s the ‘rose-tinted glasses’ effect of last season’s play-off run? Or the unwillingness to admit that the players that have been brought together isn’t all that fantastic.
Either way, after two periods at the Scotiabank Saddledome it appeared to be business as usual for the season. The Calgary Flames were trailing 3-0 to one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars. All that was left to be played was the third period and that’d be another mark in the losses column.
That was until the Calgary Flames of last year decided they’d arrive; bringing the team storming back to a one goal margin within the first five minutes of the third.
The writing was on the wall when Dougie Hamilton brought the scores level late-on. The team weren’t about to roll over – the Calgary Flames always seemed most likely to win after equalising.
And win they did, delivering big in the shoot-out.
Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley put it best in an interview with the NHL official site, saying “Games like this, it brings back the taste of last year, of those comebacks.”
One win can be all it takes to turn a season around and this game could well have been that turning point. If the Calgary Flames can show the same fight, the same competitiveness, the same will to win as they did here then they have a fighting chance any night of the week.
Sean Monahan delivered big again, belying his tender years. T.J. Brodie also delivered a strong performance; not his first and doubtless not his last this season.
Not just these guys though, the win came from the whole team – Karri Ramo put his head down and shook off the three goals scored on him and gave everything required of him for the second half of the game.
Mikael Backlund epitomised the fight the team needs to show with his goal that brought the Calgary Flames in with even a glimmer of hope at 3-1; not giving up on a seeming missed opportunity.
The team truly was impressive in the way they handled themselves 3-0 down against such a competitive outfit. This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill Monday night performance, this was a whole team of players out to prove that they still care and still wear their Calgary Flames jerseys with some pride.
Mark these words; if they can carry that one period performance forwards and make it their every period performance, the Calgary Flames could well still have an outside chance at the play-offs.
Next: Flames May Miss Key Players Against Dallas Stars
What did you think of the Calgary Flames third period performance? Can the team build on this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.