[Game Takes] Flames 4 Hawks 3 (OT)

[Bingo]

Flames 4 Hawks 3 (OT)

- Flames solid after the eight minute mark of the first
- Gaudreau rock solid leading the team back
- Flames overcome 2-0 and 3-2 deficits
- Flames have a 10-1 edge in third period scoring chances
- Monahan scores his 10th overtime winner

[hariton]

Thanks Bingo!

[calgaryboy]

Awesome writeup as usual!

[flameester]

Great writeup as usual.

The only thing I disagree with was the Brodie gaff. There was no way that he was going to back off that at the line. He went to pass and the puck skipped up over his stick - terrible luck.

If he would have backed off on that play he would have been crucified.

[Strange Brew]

Really good write up. I could see a minor deal or waiver wire claim for #7 D.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Completely agree with flameester. The puck hopped on Brodie. These things happen and he would have been heavily criticized for backing off. The nice thing, and Bingo hinted at it in the paragraph above, but focused more on Monahan - and the better part of the story is that Brodie then set up the game winner.

Also a mention should be made of Glass. He was fun to watch, made some dynamite saves in the first, two noteworthy ones being the dive across on Monahan, and also the one with the extra effort to reach his glove out on Gaudreau to stop him from sneaking around and tucking the puck inside the post. He had thwarted Monahan many times last night before Monahan finally beat him in OT

[DeluxeMoustache]

I wonder if Bouma is sticking around in town to watch the Super Bowl with Johnny and Monny.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

...Also a mention should be made of Glass. He was fun to watch, made some dynamite saves in the first, two noteworthy ones being the dive across on Monahan, and also the one with the extra effort to reach his glove out on Gaudreau to stop him from sneaking around and tucking the puck inside the post. He had thwarted Monahan many times last night before Monahan finally beat him in OT

Agreed. Glass should have been named a game-star, and was the only reason the Flames did not run the Blackhawks out of the building.

An interesting stat was posted during the game last night: coming into the game Chicago was 6-0-4 against the Flames in their last ten. I sure hope Calgary can break that streak with a reg. win on Tues.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Agreed. Glass should have been named a game-star, and was the only reason the Flames did not run the Blackhawks out of the building.

An interesting stat was posted during the game last night: coming into the game Chicago was 6-0-4 against the Flames in their last ten. I sure hope Calgary can break that streak with a reg. win on Tues.

Going back to 2013, the last 7 times Calgary has beaten Chicago...all have been in OT, minus one that was in a shoot out.

No regulation wins in 6 years...almost to the day. Feb 3, 2012.

[Brouhaha]

Nice write-up Bingo. Thank you for taking the time to do those.

[Stay Golden]

Another game worth the full price of admission. Only part of the game i was truly angered at was Brodie's brain cramp give away at Hawks blue line, just pure stupidity.
The Flames comeback was awesome especially pulling out on a beauty finish by Monahan with Brodie redeeming himself on the nice assist.
Johnny put on an allstar stick handling display several times we were on the edge of our seats with his dangles.
One noticible thing that should be noted did we actually see Gulutzan employ the team a two man down low forecheck. 2 of their goals came directly off a two man forecheck vs the Hawks, hope they continue that!

[belsarius]

Lots of complaints early on that GG continued to roll 4 lines all game, regardless of outcome. There was speculation that it was a long term plan, marathon vs sprint.

Maybe the change last night was a signal that now the All Star break is over it is time to push the best players. Maybe it was an in game adjustment based on the play of the top 6 for the first two period and feeling they gave the best chance to tie.

Either way I think it is very positive to see the coaching staff use their horses to get the tie and push the game for the W. Hopefully this is the mindset for the rest of the season and they take advantage of the lower minutes the top 6 have played as compared to some of their rivals.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by belsarius

Lots of complaints early on that GG continued to roll 4 lines all game, regardless of outcome. There was speculation that it was a long term plan, marathon vs sprint.

Maybe the change last night was a signal that now the All Star break is over it is time to push the best players. Maybe it was an in game adjustment based on the play of the top 6 for the first two period and feeling they gave the best chance to tie.

Either way I think it is very positive to see the coaching staff use their horses to get the tie and push the game for the W. Hopefully this is the mindset for the rest of the season and they take advantage of the lower minutes the top 6 have played as compared to some of their rivals.

This is how I saw things last night. To my mind it makes sense that the top players are leaned on more and more as the team gears up for the he playoffs. If the coach has been shortening his bench all season then that extra gear for those players is just not there.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is how I saw things last night. To my mind it makes sense that the top players are leaned on more and more as the team gears up for the he playoffs. If the coach has been shortening his bench all season then that extra gear for those players is just not there.

Good take. Smith is playing a ton though and no end in sight. That has me a little concerned.

[Shazam]

People are dumping on Brodie but Keith and Seabrook were brutal last night. And the giveaway to Backlund was terrible.

[thefoss1957]

My "Game Take" is more of a comment on the absolute unwillingness of O'Halloran or Furlatt to call ANYTHING in the game. Not that this is an excuse for the loss, but, as I said in the game thread, soft officiating is a pet peeve of mine, and gives too big an advantage to "Heavy" (or "Dirty" teams like LA or St. Loo.)

I couldn't even imagine the come apart that the Edmonton TV commentators would have had if McJesus would have been subjected to Seabrook or Giordano's shenanigans with NO CALLS, as occurred last night. I'd bet that Principe would have a coronary.

Once again, Congrats to Smith for winning his 500th NHL start...

See you guys and gals in the PGT on Tuesday. (damn work getting in the way of watching Hockey!)

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Good take. Smith is playing a ton though and no end in sight. That has me a little concerned.

Me too.

Seeing how drastically different his home/road splits are had me hoping that Rittich would get a home game in this past stretch. I think it is a mistake for him to be playing only in back-to-backs on the road.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

My "Game Take" is more of a comment on the absolute unwillingness of O'Halloran or Furlatt to call ANYTHING in the game. Not that this is an excuse for the loss, but, as I said in the game thread, soft officiating is a pet peeve of mine, and gives too big an advantage to "Heavy" (or "Dirty" teams like LA or St. Loo.)

Agreed.

Both ways though.

Kane was interviewed after the game and said he liked that they put their whistle away because they were consistent, and that they "Chicago" scored on their PP chance.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

My "Game Take" is more of a comment on the absolute unwillingness of O'Halloran or Furlatt to call ANYTHING in the game...

I hate complaints about officiating, but I completely agree. We all see things from a home-town bias, but I was honestly baffled that the stick-slash on Bennett in the first which led to a three-on-one went uncalled.

[CsInMyBlood]

I found this funny:

But in his career, other than that amazing overtime goal last year he’s struggled against Chicago with only seven points in nine games, meaning there are 23 teams that he’s been more productive against.

Really highlights just how good Johnny is. How many players in the league could you infer were "struggling" with seven points in nine games against a team?