Calgary Flames fans buzzing after downing Stanley Cup champs
By Gary Pearson
Calgary fans are buzzing after seeing their beloved team brush aside the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions last night.
The Flames were full value in their 4-1 win, as Johnny Gaudreau notched his sixth career hat trick to lead the home side. Calgary lost by the same scoreline on their visit to Amalie Arena in early January, making the most of the opportunity to avenge that defeat.
Flames’ faithful were noisy and engaged in a contest that had playoffs written all over it. So consumed by the exceedingly high level of play, one could be forgiven for dreaming of a 2004 Stanley Cup Final rematch. Of course this time the result would be entirely different.
Back to reality for now, though.
Johnny Hockey yet again showcased his elite skill level, punishing Andrei Vasilevskiy twice for not hugging his post tight. Gaudreau, now fourth in league scoring, was at his opportunistic best and will be the reason the Vezina winner won’t get a sound night’s sleep for the next few nights.
The Flames once again put the league on notice, showcasing their killer instinct when leading after two periods. Darryl Sutter’s side suffocated the defending Stanley Cup champions in the third period, reinforcing Calgary’s ability to not only hold on to leads, but to smother opponents into submission.
Calgary now has the second most wins in the NHL when leading after two periods, boasting a sterling 28-0-2 record. Only Florida has more wins (30) when going into the third period leading.
The Sutter effect
Sutter’s team has turned the Scotiabank Saddledome into an impenetrable fortress. Making almost every single home game count, the Flames are 17-5-5 on home ice and have lost just once in regulation over a 15-game span.
Teams coming to Calgary are now given as icy a reception by the team as they are the oft-inclement weather, a true testament to how far the team has progressed in just over a year since Sutter’s return.
Calgary’s bench boss is a man possessed. And no man should underestimate what he is capable of. Sutter almost proved that in Calgary during his first stint in charge, falling just shy (thanks to the Flames being robbed after scoring what should have been the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime of Game 6 against the Lightning in 2004).
Sutter would not be denied and led the Kings to two Stanley Cups. Now he’s back in Cowtown to finish what he started in 2004. By now nobody should doubt his ability to get the job done. Flames fans certainly don’t.