Fans are both excited and nervous. Things are going their way. The Calgary Flames have not only secured an additional two (and much needed) points, but the Los Angeles Kings were not able to secure two of their own, allowing the Flames to push ahead in the race for the final playoff spot.
Last night the Flames took to the ice against the Phoenix Coyotes in what would be a very stressful event for fans watching from abroad. The first period got off to a great start for the good guys as Johnny Gaudreau would take a stick to face which resulted in a bloody mess. And I say that it got off to a great start because the guy who took a stick to the nose would end up burying the puck on the power play; his one timer would indicate that his nose and vision were just fine.
With a 1-0 lead and the team seemingly dominating the play, the Yotes nearly squeezed one by but it would be a combined effort between a huge pad save by Jonas Hiller and a, well, somewhat lucky stick save by Matt Stajan to keep the puck out of the net. It would seem to me, that after those huge saves the team tightened up a little defensively but also poured on the shots as the Flames threw 18 pucks at Mike Smith in comparison to 7 that Hiller faced.
Arizona would eventually find the back of the net and tie things up in the 2nd period with a defensive collapse by the Flames who left a few too many assignments unmarked. A bouncing puck and a rebound or two would make it's way to B.J. Crombeen's stick and to the back of the net with Hiller sprawling all over his crease doing his damndest to maintain their led.
Going in to the third period tied, I'm sure Hartley expressed a few times over how important it was to get back out on the ice and regain that lead for those much needed two points. And that said, it wouldn't take more than a few moments for David Jones to rush Mike Smith, throw a puck on net, and bury his own rebound. Gain, re-established.
While the crowd was certainly excited as the team held the lead, it wouldn't take long for the Yotes to respond with what was just an ugly goal. Jonas Hiller trying to play the puck out from the corner would ultimately cough it up and essentially give away a free goal and allow the game to be tied.
But just as Arizona responded to the Flames goal, Sean "Moneyhands" secured the lead once and for good with a beauty wrister to the top corner of the net. Overall the Flames played well, but not "great". They weren't overly physical but what I did like was their defensive play (for the most part) and their outlet passes.
Tomorrow night the Calgary Flames could very well seal their own fate as they take on the Los Angeles Kings. I'm nervous for the damn team and I (cannot) wait for these guys to knock out the Kings and take their rightful spot in the postseason! They've surprised the masses this year and who knows what they are capable of!
Thanks for reading!