[Game Takes] Game Takes: Flames 4 Ducks 3 (OT)

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2015/05/g...-ot/#more-5264

Wrote this damn thing to 1AM, but looks like I failed to post it last night!

[icarus]

That Ramo save on Perry in OT, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who flopped back deflated, facepalmed, only to look up and see the play still going. What a monumental save (and comeuppance for Perry's earlier goal where Ramo didn't get his stick down on the ice hard enough).

[Bingo]

was an odd night for goaltenders ... shots were very low, scoring chances not as low as the shots would suggest.

Ramo comes away with a .857 save percentage but looked good (fluke goal off the skate included). Anderson at .810 with Backlund's off a leg.

Hoping that puts some doubt in Andersen, would really change this series.

[ColoradoFlamesFan]

isn't it great to have a little depth? I wasn't thrilled to see Granlund and Raymond in, but Hartley really knows his guys and who will work out. I think when he gives them a chance they know they need show up. While neither were "stars" they each made contributions that were important.
Thanks for these write ups, I really look forward to them.

[howard_the_duck]

Personally, I think Raymond gets way too much flak from fans. IMO he's been one of the best Flames in this series and was a big part of the win last night.

The Flames need his speed and puck carrying ability to generate offense. Glad to see Hartley giving him more ice as the series progresses.

[killer_carlson]

what were the reactions in the dome as election results were announced, or as people found out on their phones?

I remember being at games in the past when there were elections going on and remember different crowd reactions from cheering to booing.

[tvp2003]

Great work. Love this line:

Finally Gaudreau takes the line, sees everyone play the pass and stone cold buries it upstairs with just 19.5 seconds left on the clock.

No panic, no hesitation. Even the celebration is pretty muted -- like he knew exactly what he wanted to do and he did it.

You also hit the nail on the head with this:

Johnny Gaudreau is a big game player and it’s the tail end of his rookie season. Think about that. The guy took it upon himself to tie that game. That takes stones, and only NHL elite have stones that size. The safe play with 21 seconds left is to distribute the puck, he keeps it looks off the pass and buries it. Star is born

I thought Johnny has really struggled this series, as the Ducks have been all over him whenever he gets the puck. Fortunately, the 5 on 3 gave him the space he needed, and like the great ones, he can take that one opportunity and bury it.

P.S. Ramo's save against Perry in OT was great, but I think his blocker save on Getzlaf was just as good. Elite NHL scorer standing alone in the slot, and Ramo makes the save. You can't make this stuff up...

[Delthefunky]

I think Gaudreau's been pretty good this series. It's weird, it's like there's always a feeling out process for him, and in the end he always conquers it. As the playoffs move along he's quietly getting better.

Also, guy's with a pedigree like his, where's he's always been a clutch player when the big games are on the line, are the one's who go on to to be superstars in the NHL. Sky's the limit for him, and it's going to be really interesting to see what kind of player he becomes!

[Bingo]

^Further to Gaudreau ...

another example why the playoffs matter so much to development. If the Canucks beat the Flames in 7 this game doesn't happen, he doesn't take center stage with all the pressure and get it done.

He's changed from an experience like that. More ice in the veins, more confidence in the brain, and more specifically maybe less of a reliance on the pass.

You have to get into these wars to take the lessons. Hopefully they can win on Friday and guarantee the series coming back on Tuesdday.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

^Further to Gaudreau ...

another example why the playoffs matter so much to development. If the Canucks beat the Flames in 7 this game doesn't happen, he doesn't take center stage with all the pressure and get it done.

He's changed from an experience like that. More ice in the veins, more confidence in the brain, and more specifically maybe less of a reliance on the pass.

You have to get into these wars to take the lessons. Hopefully they can win on Friday and guarantee the series coming back on Tuesdday.

Yup. You can't buy that at Rexall Pharmacy.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I often have to remind myself that Johnny is a rookie, that this is first season in the NHL, that he is 21 years old, and that he is still learning every day.

That goal he scored was beautiful, and like Bingo said, takes big stones and ice in the veins.

I think even the commentators forget that he is a rookie, just how they talk about him in the sense that the Flames need Johnny to produce, in the second round of the playoffs no less, for the the Flames to have any success; I find that to be proof that this kid is special.

It's just really cool to see a guy like Johnny Gaudreau start his career off with the Flames, I feel lucky to be able to cheer for him.

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by Bingo

^Further to Gaudreau ...

another example why the playoffs matter so much to development. If the Canucks beat the Flames in 7 this game doesn't happen, he doesn't take center stage with all the pressure and get it done.

He's changed from an experience like that. More ice in the veins, more confidence in the brain, and more specifically maybe less of a reliance on the pass.

You have to get into these wars to take the lessons. Hopefully they can win on Friday and guarantee the series coming back on Tuesdday.

And you could see it by the intensity in his eyes not only after the goal, but on the bench when OT started.

[Tacoman]

I think that Johnny has been working hard and doing everything he can but I just don't think that he's been getting enough help from his linemates. Neither Monny or Jiri are even close to being at their best. Hopefully and likely injury related but the entire burden for zone entry has been on Johnny and the Ducks are loading up on him and taking away his time and space. If all three were going, I think Johnny would be a dominant player since they would have to respect the other two.