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As I have alluded to throughout a few blogs, there appears to be a trend with the Flames and their game totals this year…at least with respect to their goal differentials.
Currently sitting on a “streak…, if you will, where nine of their previous ten games played have been decided by just one goal, the Flames are really starting to make it seem like they are pushing for records this year in that regard. Having played 37 games this year, the Flames have managed to keep 25 of them, or 67%, within one goal.
I have done my due diligence, to an extent, to try and find out if there is any historical data that tracks games like these for teams but ultimately came up empty handed. That said, perhaps the Flames really are setting some type of franchise or NHL record for total games kept within one goal. Why is this even worth mentioning you ask?
Well for me anyways, it shows that the team has provided themselves with the chance to win nearly 70% of their games played to date. When you consider that most teams who are rebuilding or are struggling to find the postseason typically float around or below a .500 win percentage, the above percentage is quite significant.
Now, I know the Flames are not winning 70% of their games played as they currently sit in the leagues basement, however the significance here is that their effort and hard work is clearly showing despite their losses. How many analysts would have suggested the above comments for this squad, given their injuries and total NHL team depth/experience, before the year had begun? Not many, that’s for sure.
Most fans and analysts assumed the Flames would be another bottom feeding, “beat me up… night in night out, rebuilding type team…or for the lack of better words, the Oilers (sorry I couldn’t resist).
The interesting trend which we are witnessing is a team that is committed to their team and game plan and will not excuse lost games or allow other teams to blow them out. These guys are still pro’s, many of which still having much to prove on personal levels in fact.
Just something cheery to think about on Christmas Eve, I suppose, but this is certainly something that you will find this particular writer being happy to write about if the trend continues into the New Year!
Moving into last night’s game.
Once again, the Flames managed to keep their most recent game within one goal however this time they would walk away with two points after Joe Colborne scored the only goal in the shootout. Now good for three goals in four attempts in the shootout this year, Colborne is certainly starting to show his offensive abilities when called upon in the shootout.
Without Curtis Glencross and Kris Russell in the lineup last night, the Flames were once again without two key players but would find ways to battle through just the same. Having a poor start to the game by allowing a power play goal just past the midway point of the first period, the Flames would enter the second period down by one goal and outshot 11-8.
While the second period started off more promising than did the first as Jiri Hudler opened the scoring for the Flames which tied the game, the Blues quickly answered with two more goals of their own making it 3-1 moving into the third period. Not willing to be defeated, the Flames would continue to push for a goal of their own and would be awarded with two in the third period.
Recently called up from the Heat, Paul Byron has been playing quite well in his most recent games as a member of the Flames having already registered 6pts prior to last night. Adding to a goal scored in the game before, Byron would set up veteran forward Mike Cammalleri for the Flames second goal of the night after a nice pass from behind the net.
Still down 3-2, the Flames battled hard in the last ten minutes of the game to find the equalizer, and despite rookie Sean Monahan nearly missing a goal of his own, the puck would eventually find its way to captain Mark Giordano who would wire one past Blues netminder Halak for the game tying goal and send the game to OT with just five seconds remaining in the period.
With no goals scored during the extra period and the shots remaining close, the two teams would need a shootout to determine a winner. As mentioned, it would be Calgary Flames centerman Joe Colborne who would score the only goal for either team last night and secure the Flames two points for their efforts. Last night was a good hard fought battle and the Flames gave their fans something to cheer about playing at home in front of a sellout crowd.
The Flames, like the rest of the league have a Christmas break and will not return to the ice until the 27th to face the Edmonton Oilers.
Hope you all have a very nice holiday/time off and enjoy your time spent with your family and or coworkers for those of you who are stuck in the office anyways.
Thanks for reading!