This Calgary Flames season is a wrap! Let’s check out some takeaways from last night’s 7-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
This season didn’t go the way we all wanted it to and the way it was supposed to go, but at least the Calgary Flames went out with a bang. And by bang, I mean a 7-1 win over the first place Pacific team, the Vegas Golden Knights.
In their fifth and final meeting against the new expansion team, both the Flames and Vegas didn’t have anything on the line. The Flames were already not making the playoffs and they won’t have a pick in the first two rounds. Vegas had already clinched the first Pacific Division spot, so there wasn’t much fighting for there. The Flames were just fighting for their dignity.
They had already lost their last four matchups against the Knights this season, so while they weren’t making the playoffs, this was a statement game. Let’s check out some takeaways from last night.
It’s more than a game
Friday evening, the SJHL Humboldt Broncos suffered a tragic accident with their team bus and unfortunately, 15 people didn’t make it, including the coach of the team and lots of the players, ranging from the ages of 16-21. It was a sad day for everyone yesterday, especially the hockey community.
Lots of the players took it hard, even though they didn’t show it. But they’ve all ridden on those team buses before and they’ve all been there before. So they can relate on a deeper level. Before the game, the Knights and the Flames gathered in a circle for a moment of silence for all those affected by the tragedy, and that tragedy was they key thing on their minds heading into the game.
Mark DANKowski
I’m sorry for that header.
Last night not only marked Mark Jankowski‘s first NHL hat-trick, but he also had a four-goal game. And he’s only the fourth rookie in Calgary Flames franchise history to do that. The last one was Sam Bennett, two years ago, in the Flames 6-0 win over the Florida Panthers. That game also marked the last time the Flames won by a six-goal margin. Eerie.
He also came quite close to getting a fifth goal and having some Safeway shopper win $1 million, but it didn’t happen. I bet Safeway called the Flames and begged them not to let him score.
While he had a memorable night, he’s not the most consistent player. I do like him as a bottom-six center, and hopefully with the right linemates (I’m not looking at you, Garnet Hathaway), he can be a dependable third-line center and help contribute to secondary scoring.
Spencer Foo is getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you
I’m sorry again for that header.
But Spencer Foo, in just four games, has two NHL goals. Albeit, his first one wasn’t so pretty, but it’ll count. And while it’s only been four games, he’s looked like that missing RW depth the Calgary Flames have been needing basically all season long.
In just four NHL games, he has 16 shots, six hits, three blocks, and two takeaways. Lots of people have liked the way he looks so far. While I don’t think he’ll necessarily have a full-time first-line role at the NHL level next season, I think he can still have a full-time role with the team and maybe contribute to some secondary scoring issues.
Jon Gillies?
Jon Gillies has had a good last two games, but his role with the team is still unknown. The Calgary Flames sent down David Rittich a few weeks ago and kept Gillies up as Mike Smith‘s backup, and while Gillies has had a great last two games, especially last night, it’s hard to know where he stands with the team. He hasn’t quite been all that dependable in his other games, so only time will tell with him.
Next: Flames end season with 7-1 win over Vegas
And that’s a wrap! If you stuck around this whole season and watched most of the games, I commend you. It’s not easy to do that and you are strong.