What a marvelous game.
Bennett was a force out there - even if he did take a couple of bad penalties. Gaudreau is what he needs - a quick player that can run and gun with him and with the ability to make plays at a high pace. No offence to Stajan, but Stajan just can't do that. It is no small wonder that every time Bennett gets put on a line -either center or wing - with someone that can keep up with him skating wise, he does well. Chiasson (or Ferland) on the RW spot is a great match.
Speaking of Chiasson. Wow. I didn't think he would fight. Way to stick up there for Bennett. I saw Bennett skate up to him right after the fight. Not only did Chiasson do well on the stats sheet, but it was 'deserved'. Not a 'lucky' 2nd assist, but rather good, strong talented plays on his assists, and a power move to score I thought.
Monahan looks really good with Versteeg. Monahan just needs to focus on being Monahan, and you get.. Monahan! I think we can all stop worrying about him now. He is so smart and so good at getting that puck off his stick so quickly and accurately.
Versteeg should be signed for another year, barring someone like Pribyl coming up and doing better. He found his place on this team. I had my doubts, though I did think it was a solid 'depth' signing. I didn't think he would be fitting in this well.
Ferland.. man, if he didn't try to kill Bieksa in that fight, he would have killed Bieksa in that fight. He was just a bit 'all over the place' trying to knock him out. If you watch his junior fights, he shows a lot of patience until that big right comes out. It is almost like he is out of practice - but I would say he won that fight anyways. Lucky for Bieksa that Ferland is a bit out of practice there. Hope he is alright. He is a big part of this team.
Johnson was solid all night. There was that one goal that squeaked by him, but I was more worried that he hurt himself on it than anything. Was so relieved he got up and looked fine.
Gaudreau looked like he didn't miss any time at all. I thought that goal was a bit 'lucky', but then again I thought he was rather unlucky on some other opportunities. He could really have had 3 goals this game.
Wideman - everyone's whipping boy - turned in another solid performance tonight. He has just been solid. Perfect? Nope - but who has been? He has been playing some really solid hockey for the Flames, and that is why you never see him out of the rotation any longer.
Boll - I would have liked to see another replay on that hit on Jokipakka. I can't believe it didn't get called. Way worse than Hathaway's (which just looked bad). Maybe it wasn't bad, but geez that looked like a huge blindside to the head hit there. He is so damn lucky (and smart) to get that jersey up around Engelland's face or he would have had his face rearranged badly. Such a cheap hit.
Two very surprising moments for me tonight:
1) The Flames blowing out the Ducks. I thought after they tied it 1-1, that the Flames were going to lose. That was awesome.
2) In the third it was the Flames that came out chippy. Bennett started it (he is looking so strong these days), and in continued for a while. Really nice to see the Flames being able to hold their own against one of the bigger and more aggressive teams in the NHL.
I still really hate Bieksa and Kesler. Hate the Sucks as a whole.
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