The Calgary Flames took to the ice last night with what would be the first NHL playoff game for the majority of their team, against a much more experienced Vancouver Canucks squad.
The game itself was damn interesting. It was some fine playoff hockey and I enjoyed every minute of it from the Habs game I took in to the final moment when Brian Burke celebrated the Flames 2nd and final goal of the goal, tie undone.
And what in the world is wrong with this man’s ability to tie that damn thing? Serious!? It’s bothered me since his days in Toronto. Is he trying to make a statement? It certainly isn’t a “fashionable thing by any means…I just don’t get it…either tie the thing or take it the hell off.
I digress.
The game started off with both teams tested each other. Hits were being thrown around as expected, a little dirty stuff in the corners and in front of the net, but overall both teams seemed to be testing the other out; seeing who was going to be the first to set the bar, if you will.
Calgary’s overall team game was very solid – good strong transition to their play, played the body quite effectively, broke up many odd man rushes, and did the little things very well. All that said, and it would be the Vancouver Canucks to score the first goal of the series after a very unlucky goal hit a few skates and found its way through Hiller’s pads. Bad goal, but the Nucks were on the board.
No other goals would be scored until the 3rd period when the Flames finally found themselves on the board with a beauty goal from hometown boy David Jones who was fed by a beauty drop pass by Ferland and wired it past Eddie Lack to tie up the game.
The second goal would come with just 30 seconds left in the game after a perfectly placed point shot by Kris Russell found it’s way through a screen and under Lack’s arm for the winner. The goal would be as a result of a strong offensive cycle game from Colborne’s line which resulted in two strong scoring opportunities.
With respect to individual efforts, I was very impressed with Schlemko who played a strong and yet simple defensive game, with Bennett who looked like a veteran the way he created chances and crashed the net, and also Ferland who came up big for the team throughout almost all 60 minutes of play. Jonas Hiller also had a great night with key saves, but those top three get my stars for the night.
There’s been discussion around Sean Monahan possibly being injured as his game was okay, but not as strong as recent games would have offered. His line wasn’t necessarily their strongest last night as they were overshadowed by Bennett, and Hartley isn’t giving us anything to work with concerning his status (go figure).
“He’s been playing tons of hockey and we want to make sure he’s rested as much as he can – that was set right from the start.…
He also added that “Sometimes it’s funny in the playoffs how some things play out.….
Monahan, of course, had a few things to add as well.
“Everything is okay,… said Monahan.
“Obviously you guys are going to be skeptical but the plan was for me to go out and see how I feel. I feel good.…
“I played a lot of minutes this year - to get some rest is what I wanted to do,… he said. “I wanted to skate today with the team and felt good and after five or six or 10 minutes or however long I was out there it felt like it was the right time for me to get off there. It felt good.…
There has been no other information or discussion since the above, and whether or not there is anything wrong with Monahan is left to be seen. Personally, I feel that he may be under the weather with something, and not actually dealing with any injuries. I guess we will eventually find out.
The Flames next game is Friday night and I expect a very similar style from both teams.
Thanks for reading!