Another statement game from Calgary Flames in OT win over Avs

If for some perplexing reason you didn’t think the Calgary Flames were for real prior to last night’s game in Colorado, you certainly should now. 

Yet again the Flames defied the odds. Darryl Sutter’s team waltzed into the building of NHL’s best team and triumphed, all without their number one netminder between the pipes.

Daniel Vladař battled heroically and made some immense saves to keep the score tied at three. He deserves high praise for the way he stymied the league’s second most prolific attack. Colorado scores 3.91 goals per game, trailing only the high-flying Florida Panthers (4.09 goals per game).

While Vladař hasn’t played a lot in recent months, he is certainly doing the job as Jacob Markström’s understudy when the opportunity arises.

Vladar is 8-3-1 in 13 games played this season and boasts a 7-3-1 away record. Not too shabby for a goaltender who spends most of his time riding the pine.

To go along with their long list of accolades, Colorado also has the best home record in the league. The Flames put a minor dent in the Avalanche’s near-flawless home armour last night (23-3-3) and marched out of Colorado with a historic victory.

The game had every marking of an epic playoff battle. It was physical, chippy, end to end, lightning quick and even had a heavyweight tilt between Milan Lucic and Kurtis MacDermid. If these two teams meet in the playoffs, neutrals are in for a treat, while Flames fans should anticipate a nail-biting, anxiety-laden seven-game series, as Colorado has more weapons than the US navy.

The most dangerous of whom — especially against the Flames — is Nathan MacKinnon. He is a formidable force and almost single handedly eliminated Calgary last time these two teams met in the playoffs.

However Calgary, and in particular Johnny Gaudreau, enjoyed the last laugh in yesterday’s encounter.  Gaudreau got a step on MacKinnon and made him pay with a superbly taken overtime goal. MacKinnon and Gaudreau had words prior to the commencement of the extra frame, adding even more gravitas to the moment.

The Flames have won 13 of 15 games and are picking up a head of steam entering the most important part of the campaign. With a hectic schedule to end the season, Flames fans are collectively crossing their fingers, hoping two things: that their beloved team hasn’t peaked and there are no injuries on the horizon.

Everything else is falling into place perfectly and for the first time in recent history, Flames fans should look forward to the potential prospect of facing the Avalanche in the playoffs.