Calgary Flames takeaways from loss to Jets: Ending with dignity

The Calgary Flames ended their final road game of the season with a 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Let’s check out some takeaways from the loss.

The Calgary Flames may have ended their final road game of the season with a loss, but at least they walked away with dignity. Despite the 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, they had an overall good game and by the way they battled, it didn’t seem like they were a team that’s been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for over a week now.

Let’s check out some takeaways from the loss last night.

Spencer Foo’s first NHL goal

They’re not all going to be pretty, but it still counts. Spencer Foo‘s first NHL goal came from a deflection off his skate. And that, kids, is why you go to the net.

Some firsts for the Flames this season came by some not-so-pretty goals.

Even without that goal, Foo’s looked good in the three games he’s played so far. He’s fast, he’s not the biggest guy but he isn’t afraid to check, and he goes right to the net. In just three games, he has 14 shots (six last night) and five hits. In those three games, he also leads all Flames skaters with 59.72 CF% (I know it’s only three games, but it’s fun).

He may have a full-time NHL job next season.

Despite two goals against, Jon Gillies looked good

While Jon Gillies allowed two goals against on 26 shots, he looked good for the most part. Early on in the game, he looked a little shaky, but definitely gained confidence as the game went on and made some timely saves to keep the Calgary Flames in the game.

Both Jets goals came from deflections which is hard for any goaltender to make a save on, no matter how good you are.

And while he had a good game, I’m not sure if he’ll be a suitable backup for the Flames next season. Goaltending is one of the areas where I have absolutely no idea what the team will be doing about it this off-season. But at least, if that was Gillies’ last game of the season, he ended it on a good note.

Ending final road game with dignity

While they lost their final road game of the season, they didn’t lose their dignity in the process. They had an overall good game, especially their first period. They had the edge in shots, hits, scoring chances, and high-danger chances. But of course, like we’ve seen all season long whenever they outplay their opponents, they came up short. Stupid Hellebuyck.

At least they left it all out on the ice and didn’t give up, which is somewhat hard to do when you know your season is about to end. So good on the guys for not giving up.

Next: Flames come up short in final road game of season

One more game to go!