Calgary Flames: Three Stars Of The Week December 5-11
The Calgary Flames finally had a three-game week instead of their busy four-game weeks they’ve been having. Who made our three stars for this week?
The Calgary Flames went 3-0-0 this week and they are now on a six-winning streak. They are perfect in the month of December, going 5-0-0. Writing the three stars of the week is always fun when your team wins games. But anyhow, how made our cut for the three stars for this week?
THIRD STAR
Teach Me How To Dougie
Dougie Hamilton has had quite a month. First, with all the rumors going around that the Calgary Flames are hearing offers for him. Then Flames management completely shutting them down, some more eloquently than others (cough cough Brian Burke cough cough). But if it’s any consolation to Dougie, he has been incredible the last few weeks. And the decision to put him on first defensive pairing with Mark Giordano has been proving to be extremely beneficial.
Related Story: Flames Address Dougie Hamilton Trade Rumors
In this week, Dougie Hamilton had three goals and one assist, giving him four points in three games. That was tied for second highest amount of points this week. On December 10th against the Winnipeg Jets, he had a three-point night and had the overtime goal against the Arizona Coyotes on the 8th. He also had a +/- of 4 this week which was the highest on the Flames and had the most amount of shots on the Flames (20).
On the year, he is now tied for second on the Flames for points with 17. He also has three GWG (the most on the team as well) and three PPP. Among all defensemen in the NHL, he’s tied for 11th for points, is tied for first for GWG and is third for amount of shots (92).
Maybe those rumors circulating is what Hamilton needed to prove he’s way more valuable than people initially thought. Next.
SECOND STAR
Monny Money
Sean Monahan also had an incredible week, earning four points in three games. He also had two power-play goals, one PP assist, and one GWG this week. Monahan is now on a seven-game point streak and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
In December, he now has seven points in five games and safe to say that he’s finally found his confidence again.
Related Story: Sean Monahan Starting To Regain Confidence
In his seven-game point streak, he has four goals and five assists, four PPP and one GWG. This is after going pointless in eight of his previous nine games. For everyone who had concerns about this guys (guilty), looks like those concerns are out the door.
FIRST STAR
Johnny Hockey™
I put that trademark symbol there because I’m trying not to get sued. Yes, Johnny Gaudreau did officially get “Johnny Hockey” trademarked by U.S. Patent Office. But what a story this kid has had so far this season.
First, he gets signed two days before the season stars and is tied for the highest paid player for the Calgary Flames. Then, he doesn’t play up to his paycheck. Then, he finally starts getting his game back. But, of course, because it’s the Flames and they can never have nice things, he gets injured on November 15th with a fractured finger and would be out six weeks. But about two weeks later he starts practicing with the team again and it would be looking closer to four weeks. Except Gaudreau didn’t want to miss anymore hockey, so not even three weeks after his injury, he returns to the lineup.
Related Story: Five Flames Not Living Up To Their Payroll
This week alone, he had six points in three games, and has had multi-point games in every game since his return to the lineup on December third. In the month of December, he has eight points in four games giving him the highest p/gp of all players this month. He is leading all Flames for points with (19) despite missing ten games.
How could we not give the kid who just got his nickname patented a star of the week?
Next: Five Flames Who Exceeded Expectations This Season
Well, there you have it folks, Flame for Thought’s three stars of the week! If you could pick any other player, who would it be?
I’m just glad about how this month has been treating the team so far. They’re slowly and quietly climbing up the standings and nobody has suspected this. And everyone loves a good underdog story, right?