Calgary Flames start comeback late, win in shootout against Predators

The Calgary Flames were down 2-0 after the first period. After starting their comeback with less than ten minutes to go in the game, they won in the shootout against the Nashville Predators.

Well, the Calgary Flames perfect road penalty-kill came to an end. After killing off 19 penalty kills on the road on 19 powerplay opportunities, the Flames took two penalties in the first period (questionable officiating), and the Nashville Predators scored on both powerplays, leading after twenty minutes of play.

But there were some highlights in that first period. The new line consisting of Sam Bennett, Mark Jankowski, and Curtis Lazar looked like the best line for the Flames. Especially the first two. Jankowski got the call-up after Jaromir Jagr was put on injured reserve. If he keeps it up, he may be that last centerman and we may be seeing Freddie Hamilton going down to the AHL instead. Up until the last minute of the first period, that line had 100% CF%. After twenty minutes of play, Dougie Hamilton remained the only player on the Flames with 100% CF%.

While the Flames were outscored 2-0 in that first period, they still looked quite decent and outshot the Preds 11-9. THey just couldn’t find the back of the net.

The second period was scoreless, but again, both teams had some chances. The Flames had a couple of powerplays with some good quality scoring chances, but again, Pekka Rinne was stopping everything coming his way. The Flames had 18 shot-attempts at even-strength compared to the Preds 13. They were however slightly outshot, 12-11 in the Preds favour.

The Calgary Flames started the third period on the powerplay, but again, to no avail. The Flames were easily the better team that entire period. They dominated for a majority of the period and had some quality scoring chances again. It wasn’t until a little less than halfway through the period that Matthew Tkachuk finally found the back of the net.

I don’t want to say that it’s because of me, but it’s because of me.

(The Flames scored two minutes after I posted that tweet). Then only two minutes later, they tied the game with a backhand from Micheal Ferland. One assist coming from Johnny Gaudreau who now has 12 points in nine games and is tied for fourth in points. He’s also tied for fourth in assists with 10. And two assists tonight coming from Dougie Hamilton.

Oh, and again, Sam Bennett looked like a natural in that period.

Looks like being on the wing (like everyone has been wanting) seems to be successful. He has yet to find himself on the scoresheet, but if he keeps playing that way, the time will come. He had the best CF% out of all Flames skaters with 72.73%.

After an intense last few minutes of play and a very intense overtime period with a close chance for Sean Monahan to Johnny Gaudreau, this game would go to a shootout. Filip Forsberg was the lone Preds scorer and Monahan and Tkachuk were the scorers for Calgary, giving Calgary the 3-2 win.

Next: What's going on with Sam Bennett?

The Calgary Flames have been quite successful on the road and beat the Preds perfect home record. Let’s just hope they can translate that at home in front of their fans when they have their seven-game home-stand starting Friday.