For the first time this season the Calgary Flames have won three consecutive games.
After unsuccessfully trying to string together three straight wins on a couple occasions the Flames finally came through with a big 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Some thoughts:
1) The Calgary Flames needed a quality start from Ramo - his play has been very underwhelming over the last couple weeks - and he came through with a 31 stop performance. After allowing two goals in the first 11 minutes Ramo shut the door the rest of the way and finished the night with a .939 save percentage. He made a few very good saves and gave the Flames a chance to win a game they desperately needed. That's all you can ask for.
2) Mikael Backlund went into full beast mode in this one. He showed off his quick release on a snipe from the slot, added an assist, had five shots and four scoring chances - all at even-strength - while logging just 11:50.
His linemates Michael Frolik and Mason Raymond were also effective combining for four shots and seven scoring chances.
I think they should get more ice; especially against opposing team's top players. Frolik and Backlund in particular have long shown they can handle it.
3) Markus Granlund is looking more comfortable and confident each time out. He played more than 10 minutes at evens, and took a couple shifts on the penalty kill, but only played 15 seconds on the power play. I found that strange given he's starting to show more offensively and the Flames had seven power plays. Baby steps, I suppose.
4) Mark Giordano: six points in his first 22 games, five in his last five.
Dougie Hamilton: five points his first 24 games, three in his last three.
They've both generated a lot of shots and scoring chances for a while now and are finally starting to be rewarded for their efforts. Expect a lot more from them moving forward.
5) The Flames have won 11 of 27 games and sit just four points back of the Vancouver Canucks for 3rd in the Pacific Division. The Flames have a couple games in hand, too. As crazy as it sounds they are right in the thick of things for a playoff spot.
Prospect Updates
1) Mason McDonald and Devils prospect Mackenzie Blackwood were recently named Canada's two goaltenders for Team Canada at the upcoming World Juniors. Blackwood has been suspended eight games by the OHL for a slash against a Sudbury Wolves player last Friday and his suspension will carry into the World Juniors. As a result he'll miss the first two games of the preliminary round. Team Canada will add another goaltender to their roster but it's probably safe to expect McDonald to start both games and go from there. It's clear Hockey Canada has a lot of faith in both McDonald and Blackwood otherwise more than two goaltenders would have been invited to Team Canada's selection camp.
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