A year ago the Calgary Flames made a living off come from behind wins in remarkable fashion.
That hasn't been the case this season but they did channel their inner 2014-15 Flames - at least for one game - on Tuesday night as they erased a 3-0 deficit and eventually beat the Western Conference leading Dallas Stars in a shootout.
Notes:
1) For my money this was the Flames' most impressive win of the season. They were playing pretty well early on despite what the score suggested but Antti Niemi stood on his head and the Flames couldn't get a bounce to go their way. They didn't get rattled or parade to the box when that would have been the easy thing to do. They stuck with it and were rewarded for their efforts.
The Flames out attempted the Stars 59-49 at even-strength, out-chanced them 36-18 and at times flat out dominated arguably the best team in hockey. Impressive win.
2) Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin had their chances but I thought the Flames did an excellent job of shutting them down; and not just because both were held off the scoresheet. They are undoubtedly the best duo in hockey right now and they combined for just six shots (most of which came in overtime). Seguin had two shots in the game and didn't record his first until the final five minutes or so. That's about as much as good as it gets when going up against these guys.
3) It didn't really matter in the end but I'm not sure why Sam Bennett couldn't get a sniff of 3-on-3 ice. He's an excellent skater, is defensively responsible and has been playing very well of late. I think he'd be good with extra time and space to work with.
4) The counting stats may not be there yet but Dougie Hamilton is starting to play like Dougie Hamilton. Over the last eight games he has 26 shots on goal and has recorded at least three in seven of those eight games. It was nice to finally see him rewarded for his efforts with the game-tying-goal against Dallas.
5) Karri Ramo was better in the latter half of the game but I think Jonas Hiller should start next time out. Ramo allowed a couple stinkers and, for the third game in a row, stopped .905% or less of the shots he faced.
Prospect updates: 1) Mason McDonald was one of two goaltenders - Mackenzie Blackwood (New Jersey) being the other - invited to Team Canada's selection camp.
Given only two goaltenders were invited it's obviously safe to say that he has made the team.
I think Blackwood is the better goaltender and the numbers back me up - he owns an OHL-best .930 save percentage through 23 starts - but regardless of who starts it's still encouraging that McDonald is regarded highly enough to make the team.
2) Brandon Hickey was also invited to Team Canada's selection camp. There are 10 other blue liners in camp, though, so it's no sure thing that he'll be on the team when they open things up on Boxing Day.
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