Follow Colin on Twitter!: @ColinDJD
In what would end up being a back and forth type of game, the Calgary Flames walked away with two points last night on the road as they were challenged against the Winnipeg Jets.
After a scoreless first period, it would be Mike Cammalleri and the Flames to open the scoring after receiving a very nice cross crease pass from Lee Stempniak. The team has struggled to execute on their power-play in recent games, but a nice combination of passes would allow for Cammalleri’s second PP goal of the year. Aside from the goal last night, the only other player currently on the Flames roster to have more than one power-play goal is rookie Sean Monahan.
As noted, the game was somewhat of a ping pong match in terms of goal scoring as the Jets would respond shortly after the Flames first goal with one of their own. After a save from Berra which let out a rebound in front, Michael Frolik jumped on the open puck and buried one to tie the game. The game at this point was fairly even as both sides would get their chances, but it would be Calgary to take the lead again with a weak goal from a point shot by TJ Brodie. Assisting on the goal was Cammaleri who ended the night with two points, extending his current total to 13pts in 14 games played.
Playing in his first game against the Flames since being let go, veteran centerman Olli Jokinen added a goal of his own to once again tie up the game at two. Trying to make a long stretch bank pass for Stempniak off of the boards, Cammalleri would turn over the puck which allowed for the Jets to set up Jokinen with a point shot on net. The goal appeared to be a little weak from my point of view, although Berra may not have seen all of the shot. One criticism I have for Berra with respect to a few of his goals is the positioning of his blocker hand. Berra seems to give up a few too many weak blocker side goals as he’s not completely square to the shooter. This is something he will need to work on as his year progresses.
Despite allowing an arguably weak goal at this point in the game, Berra played quite well and seems very poised between the pipes. Not all goaltenders have both the talent and strong head on their shoulders which is needed to play as a goalie in the NHL, and Berra may just have the total package. While it is still very early and the Flames are currently struggling defensively, it is too difficult at the moment to constructively assess his play – at least for me anyways. Coach Bob Hartley, on the other hand, likes what he sees.
"He's a very proud young man," Hartley said. "And despite the fact that he gave up the equalizing goal late in the game, he never lost his focus."What to say about his performance? I rarely saw a goalie give four goals and play that well."
This is not the greatest news for Karri Ramo who remains on the bench. In spite of losing his last few starts, allowing four goals and one with but seconds left on the clock, Berra remains the coach’s favorite for the time being. It appears to me that Hartley plays favorites with his players as we have seen with the benching of certain players, and call-ups of others. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as the season moves along.
Not long after the Jokinen goal, the Flames would answer with a shorthanded goal courtesy of Lance Bouma and Matt Stajan. Both players who I felt had strong games took the puck up the ice, crisscrossed at the blue-line, and Bouma who appeared to interfere with Jets defender Dustin Byfuglien received a pass from Stajan and put away a beauty to recapture the lead.
The leading scorer for the Flames could not help but add to his point totals last night as Jiri Hudler put away a perfectly executed one timer. Hudler’s goal, which extended his point totals to 21pts in 21 games, would put Calgary up 4-3 after the Flames allowed a power-play goal moments before. While the game appeared all but over with only seconds remaining on the clock and the Jets with the extra attacker, Winnipeg tied up the game once again at 19:54 as Bryan Little found the puck all alone in front from a rebound, and would send the game to OT.
After a strong performance from the road team in the extra period, the game would remain tied and a shootout would be needed to decide the winner. Joe Colborne shot first for Calgary who showed his slick hands and ability to dangle at the NHL level as he fooled Montoya and slide the puck past the goal line. It would take 8 rounds of attempts before rookie Sean Monahan won the game with his first NHL shootout attempt for the Flames.
The rookie showed off his speed and quick release as he buried the puck over the blocker of Montoya from about the hash-marks. I have to say, this kid is improving every passing week as he looks to prove to the Flames brass that they made the right choice by keeping him around. The 19 year old rookie is currently 2nd in scoring for Calgary with 14pts in 21 games – that’s good for 78th in the league, by the way.
Speaking of league wide rankings, I should note that Calgary has yet to really make any strides in improvements when it comes to a few stats which they have been struggling with. Currently ranked 30th in the FO dot, 28th in PK%, 23rd in PP%, and 29th in GA/G, Calgary will really need to improve upon these stats if they are hoping to improve upon their current ten game record of 2-7-1. With wins like last night, the team should get some much needed confidence and hope to carry it with them into their next game.
"If that one was not exciting for them, it sure was for me," Hartley said of the capacity crowd. "We made it interesting, we made it tough on us, but at the end we found a way to win."
The Flames will host the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow night as they try and improve upon their current record.
That’s all for today folks, thanks for reading!