Flames vs. Blackhawks: Live Notes and Game Recap

The Calgary Flames defeated Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 5 – 3. Here are some notes and thoughts from throughout the game.

The Calgary Flames are wearing everybody’s favorite jerseys tonight – those beautiful alternates. No Michael Stone tonight, as it looks like he is the odd man out of the defensive rotation (as he should be). Coming into tonight, the Flames have won three in a row and the Blackhawks have lost three in a row.

First Period –

Flames get an early powerplay in the first as Duncan Keith boards Dillon Dube into the boards behind the Chicago net. They give a five minute major for this one, which I feel is a bit excessive, although Dube did go head first. Giordano has a wrister go off the post as the Flames powerplay gets started with a lot of good looks.

TIC – TAC – TOE and a Flames goal! Elias Lindholm passed the puck to Johnny Gaudreau who waited for Corey Crawford to slide over, then passed right to the slot to give Sean Monahan a wide open net. Monahan’s seventh of the year.

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Oil On Whyte

Flames get just one goal on the major penalty. I had to check the scoreboard to see the powerplay had ended however, as the Flames are swarming and dominating here in the first.

Chicago to the powerplay on a tripping call and then a quick holding call. Five on three chance for the Hawks. The Blackhawks have been playing better past the midway point of the first here, as the game is much more balanced now.

Jonathan Toews gets one on the powerplay, the 300th of his career and eighth of the season. Big congratulations to him, as he has always been a player I have admired.

The Blackhawks strike again with 26.9 seconds left on a deflected wrist shot from the point. Not much David Rittich could have done with all of the traffic in front. Very disappointing end to a period that the Flames seemed to have control of.

Juuso Valimaki played a very strong and smart period in my opinion. Feels as though he is beginning to really get comfortable and confidant with each game he plays.

End 1 – CHI 2, CGY 1

Shots – CHI 5, CGY 9

Period 2 –

Calgary will go shorthanded a little over a minute into the second here for a delay of game. Matthew Tkachuk is the guilty party. The Blackhawks don’t record a shot on the penalty. Really good work from the penalty killers. Back to full strength.

Brandon Saad gets a great look on a partial break, but captain Mark Giordano makes a phenomenal sliding play to block the shot. Second period is pretty evenly played so far here at about the halfway point.

Johnny Hockey receives a stretch pass, dangles the puck through the defenders legs, and just misses high on the backhand. Flames getting some good looks, but the game has really tightened up here in the second.

Saad scores as he plows through Rittich and sneaks the puck under his pad. Flames took a look for goalie interference, but ultimately decide not to challenge. This comes right after another great chance for the Flames created by Gaudreau.

CHUCKY GOOAAAL – After a dominate five minute stretch, forcing icings and Crawford to make several good stops, Tkachuk walked in, wound up, and ripped one past the Chicago goaltender. Terrific stuff from the Flames to end the second period.

The second started very tight and routine but quickly opened up in the second half. I would expect more of the same in the third. The Flames will have to have another comeback to win this one.

End 2 – CHI 3, CGY 2

Shots – CHI 11, CGY 21

Period 3 –

Two minutes into the third and a two minute powerplay coming to Calgary, as Sean Monahan gets tripped. Great pressure on the powerplay leads to Elias Lindholm getting gifted a wide open net. No one knew where the puck was except him and Brent Seabrook, who is able to extend his stick and deflect the puck wide. Powerplay over.

Those third period Flames are swarming Chicago the last five or so minutes. Getting good traffic to the net and cycling the puck well. James Neal comes within a few inches of a beautiful one on one goal. Little under ten to play, as Chicago finally records their first shot of the period.

MONY MONY! – Sean Monahan chops in his second of the game off of an absolute dime of a pass from Johnny Gaudreau. This play was all made possible by the great stick of TJ Brodie to free the puck and start the rush. Flames still pressing hard for more here.

ARE YOU FRO REAL?!? – Michael Frolik throws the puck off of Corey Crawford and into the back of the net. Flames with tremendous pressure all period, leaving the Blackhawks on their toes. These goals come 1:06 apart.

Chicago will get the final 1:45 of the game on the PP. Their net is empty.

SEND THEM BACK!! – Mikael Backlund launches it into the empty net, which should wrap this one up for the Calgary Flames.

Final – CHI 3, CGY 5

Shots – CHI 15, CGY41

That will do it! The cardiac Flames finish off yet another comeback tonight to win their fourth in a row. This was a very fun game from start to finish. Flames will be back at it Wednesday night when they head to Anaheim to take on the Ducks.