The Calgary Flames are a stronger team statistically and statistically than the Chicago Blackhawks, their opponents Saturday afternoon at the Saddledome. However, they went ahead 5-1 in the third period and escaped with a 6-4 victory to end their five-game homestand at 2-1-2.
The Flames scored in almost every situation, with two power play goals (Nazem Kadri, Connor Zary), a power play (Matt Coronato), a shorthanded goal (Jonathan Huberdeau), and capped off the night with an empty netter. from Mikael Backlund.
Huberdeau had a chance to give the Flames a goal in every situation but didn’t get it on his penalty attempt in the first half.
Even with the win, Dustin Wolf finished the afternoon with a .857 SV%, his third worst total of the season, stopping 24 of 28 shots.
Thankfully, Calgary enters its bye week with a win. However, it probably didn’t happen. Let’s talk.
Flame Escape the Pesky Blackhawks
After taking a 5-1 lead after two periods, the final period between the Flames and the Blackhawks was getting bitter. As expected, things got heated when the visitors broke the deadlock at 5-4. Anger flared up, and the march to the box and dressing room began.
Calgary had three penalties in two periods, while Chicago had five. Both teams combined for ten penalties in the third period, which was tied at 5-5.
Finally, the Flames thought before Christmas and allowed the Blackhawks to get under the skin. Whether it was scoring in the crease or slashing behind the leg, Calgary didn’t play their game in the last 20, and it almost cost them two important points on home ice.
On Saturday afternoon, the Flames were lucky to beat one of the weakest opponents in the league because in the final minutes it was anyone’s game.
The Wolf Can Only Carry This Team So Far
Wolff improved his home record to 9-1-1, but his stats took a turn for the worse on Saturday. He gave up some goals that didn’t help his teammates. In the first two seasons, he had given up just one goal on 18 shots, a nice shot from former first baseman Connor Bedard.
Related: Can Wolf Become Fifth Flames Goaltender To Win 20 Home Games In One Season?
However, he gave up three goals on just ten shots in the third. He made some great saves early on and kept the Flames from going ahead 5-1 in the final minutes. If this game had been on the road, where Wolf wasn’t the star every night, the Flames would have left the tournament with a loss.
Thankfully, Calgary scored second today without Huberdeau and Kadri, but some defensive lapses and missed assignments continue to plague this team, which has a minus-11 goal differential.
Can the Flames Carry Their Offensive Momentum into the New Year?
On Saturday, the Flames scored six goals for the third time this season. Ten of the 18 skaters on the roster got their names on the score sheet, and only Kevin Bahl finished the evening at minus-1.
After leading the team in scoring (six), both Backlund and Coranto scored, along with Zary, who has been doing everything but burying the puck the past few games.
Despite some questionable hockey in the third period, the first 40 minutes should be intense as the Flames return to action against the San Jose Sharks next weekend.
Like the Blackhawks, Calgary has to play the full 60 minutes since the lower ranked teams are interested in finishing their seasons. In the end, the players stepping up with the second point on Saturday afternoon should be the first step in improving and getting clutch wins in the second half.
Flames & Blackhawks Trivia Answers
How did you hit ours? Game Day Trivia questions? Here are the answers.
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Jarome Iginla
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Dillon Dube
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Theo Fleury
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Miikka Kiprusoff
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Theo Fleury
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Ryan Carpenter
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Roman Turek
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1989
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Gary Roberts
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Mike Vernon
