Calgary Flames: A Bad Team or Just Really Unlucky?

It’s a spot that every team dreads being in: The Calgary Flames are down 3-0 in the first round series. So how did they get here?

Well, it’s definitely not a repeat of 2015. And Calgary Flames fans are definitely not as excited as Toronto Maple Leafs fans are right now.

First, the team had a horrible start to their season. Then things looked up. Then they went on a four-game losing skid. Where they were called ‘pathetic’ three times in about five seconds by their head-coach. But after being called pathetic, a few beers saved their season and they went on to finish the second half as one of the best teams in the league. And after an unlikely post-season spot, the Flames made it to the playoffs.

But they haven’t had the fairy-tale story everyone would have liked to see.

Like I said, they’re down 3-0 in the series right now against the Anaheim Ducks. But let’s ask ourselves this: Have they been completely awful? Or have they been relatively unlucky?

Let’s take a look at each game and judge them.

Game #1 – Ducks 3 – 2 Flames

In game 1 of the series, the Anaheim Ducks won 3-2 against the Calgary Flames. Now in this game, Brian Elliott was superb. He stopped 38 of 41 shots and none of the goals were even his fault. This game, the Flames indiscipline definitely showed and they had taken seven penalties. The Ducks scored on two of them. And the Flames had a horrible line change that resulted on a 3-on-0 breakaway for the Ducks. Nothing Elliott could do in that case.

But the indiscipline and Elliott isn’t what I want to talk about. Yes, the Flames didn’t play the best game they could, but they definitely learned from it. But two of the goals, the powerplay goals (goals 1 and 3) for the Ducks came by an unlucky bounce off a Flames player. Like I said, nothing Elliott could do in that case.

You don’t get unlucky bounces often. And the Flames have actually gotten some lucky bounces earlier this season. But two in one game? A playoff game? Where the Ducks only won by one goal?

I know what you’re thinking. “They took seven penalties and they got scored on for two of them. That’s their own fault.” I completely agree with you, so let’s move on to the next game.

Calgary Flames

Game #2: Ducks 3 – 2 Flames

Game 2 had the exact same outcome as game #1: The Anaheim Ducks won 3-2 against the Calgary Flames. Although this one stung a bit more.

Seven minutes into the game and the Flames were down 2-0. Flames fans were starting to feel slightly defeated. And then in the last few minutes of the first period, they decide to take a penalty (big surprise there).

But it’s alright – because the Flames would score a shorthanded goal, thanks to Mikael Backlund. I think this gave some life into the team a little bit. Then the Flames had a powerplay in the second period and Sean Monahan managed to tie up the game at two a piece. And it would stay like that.

And then there were ten minutes left of the game and the Flames looked to make it 3-2. But they ruled it no goal right away and said it was not a reviewable play which left Flames fans confused.

Via Calgary Herald:

Seeking clarification on the call, NHL senior VP Hockey Operations, Mike Murphy, told Postmedia how it went down.“We reviewed the play because the puck went into the net,” said Murphy in an email.“We checked to make sure the net was on, which it was. The refs, however, informed us that they had NO GOAL on the ice because (Anaheim goalie John) Gibson was bumped in the crease and unable to play his position. That is their call and the play is not reviewable, so their call on the ice rules.”The Flames players didn’t see it the same way.“The whistle didn’t go and the puck was in the net,” said Matt Stajan. “The explanation they gave us was goalie interference but we don’t really know, I haven’t seen the replay.”Added Lance Bouma, “I didn’t see that, but not much you can do about it.”

The Flames for some reason seem to always get no goals called when the puck crosses the goal line during the playoffs. Moving on.

Not to kick a team while they’re already down, then there were five minutes left of the game and everything went wrong. Dougie Hamilton takes a dumb penalty for holding Corey Perry‘s stick and it would be the longest two minutes of Hamilton’s life. Well, that was cut short because the Ducks managed to make it 3-2 on the powerplay.

Again, by an unfortunate bounce off the skate of Lance Bouma and it went into the net.

*Sighs*.

I don’t believe in curses, but I’m getting real sick of the Honda Center right now.

Alright, moving on AGAIN to what I truly wanted to talk about here.

Game #3: Ducks 5 – 4 Flames

We can’t completely blame this game to bad luck because the Calgary Flames did give up a 4-1 lead and this game would have to go to overtime.

But… should it have even made it to overtime?

This game seemed to being right in every way for the Flames. They had powerplay after powerplay and were taking advantage of it. And then there was a little under nine minutes left of the game and the Flames were up 4-2. Then the Ducks scored. But.. did they score?

It seemed that the puck was knocked into the net with a high stick. Even head coach Glen Gulutzan said it was “way too high.” But of course because it’s the Flames, the call on the ice stands, and it would be a good goal.

But after further investigation and further analysis, it seems that the stick was actually above the goalie crossbar. Was a wrong call potentially costing the Flames the entire series?

Look, I’m not saying the Flames did every single thing right and they should have won every game. And hey, they did get somewhat lucky in game 3 with all those penalties being called early on against the Ducks.

But I feel like this happens a lot to this team. And I’m not one to talk about poor officiating, but all season long, it seems that there has been some sort of bias against the Flames.

Next: Matthew Tkachuk and Ryan Kesler: Mirror, Mirror

What do you all think? Should the Flames have won game 3? Or was it a good call and a good goal. Let us know what you think. I’m all for hearing opinions.

Unless you have nice things to say about Ryan Kesler. Then you can take that elsewhere.

Kidding! Sort of.