With an exciting win last night over the Vancouver Canucks, thanks to the help of Sam Bennett, the Calgary Flames are back in a playoff spot. More on that here.
For the first time in two and a half weeks, the Calgary Flames are back on a win-streak (yes, two games is a win-streak, ok). With a late goal from Sam Bennett with around a minute left of the game, he also got his first game-winning goal in two years.
Sam Bennett started the season off very slowly. And many people were wondering if he’d ever succeed and trade rumours started speculating. But GM Brad Treliving reassured everyone that the day Bennett gets his first point, he’ll take off from there. And he wasn’t wrong.
It took Bennett 16 games to register his first point this season. In those 15 games since, he has 11 points. He also has eight points in his last seven games and is currently on a seven-game point-streak on home-ice with 10 points in that time frame.
Related Story: Flames beat Canucks in Mike Smith's 500th game
Via CBC Sports:
"“It was a big goal and I felt a lot of emotion there. After a tough start, it’s definitely nice to get one like that,” said Bennett.“His game was trending in the right direction and now he’s getting results,” said Flames coach Glen Gulutzan. “That’s a real good sign for our hockey club and it’s a great sign for Bennie.”"
Sam Bennett now has 11 points in 30 games, which isn’t great, but seeing how his season started, this is great. And I guess Treliving ended up being right (like always). The Calgary Flames played this one game on home-ice then head right back on the road with a game in St. Paul where they’ll face off the Minnesota Wild for the second time this season. They’ll play just one game on the road before coming back home. So they’ll have a bit of a wild schedule this next week.
Let’s hope they can keep it up and keep their playoff position they’re temporarily in. It now seems like every game is a must-win game and it’s still only December.
Some links surrounding the Flames
Flames Thoughts: Sam Bennett has his swagger back (Sportsnet).
Flames rally past Canucks on Sam Bennett’s late winner (CBC Sports).
Bennett continues hot streak as Flames douse Canucks (Calgary Sun).
Flames highly touted prospect Foo finding pro groove (Calgary Sun).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Four things we learned in NHL: Mike Smith joins elite company (Sportsnet).
NHL’s department of player safety to meet with Flames’ Tkachuk (Sportsnet).
Hainsey showing Maple Leafs what it takes to win Stanley Cup (NHL.com).
Schwartz to miss at least six weeks for Blues (NHL.com).
Next: Sean Monahan is the definition of clutch
That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!