The Carolina Hurricanes visited the Calgary Flames for the Flames’ last game before the All-Star break, bringing with them former Flames Dougie Hamilton and Micheal Ferland. A highly anticipated return for two major players for the Flames from previous seasons, they both had a warm welcome from the C of Red.

Under two minutes into the first period, Oliver Kylington put the Flames up 1-0. Garnet Hathaway and Rasmus Andersson would get the assists. The Swedish rookies connecting alongside Hathaway for a goal boasts just how well the Flames have developed their players.

Later in the period, Hamilton would tie the game for the Hurricanes, as his initial shot was tipped past David Rittich by T.J. Brodie. The game would remain tied heading into the first intermission.

In the second period, the teams found themselves playing four-on-four hockey, with Lucas Wallmark and Sean Monahan sitting in their respective penalty boxes. On the ensuing play, Mark Jankowski picked up a loose puck right in front of Petr Mrazek, who had no chance on making the save.

The Flames would hold a 2-1 lead all the way through until the final minute of regulation, where Sebastian Aho tied the game thanks to some pretty passing from Teuvo Teravainen and Justin Williams.

As the game headed to overtime, Bill Peters opted to start Mikael Backlund, Elias Lindholm, and Brodie to start the extra frame. The trio only needed 15 seconds to win the game; Backlund scored a highlight-reel goal that beat Mrazek far-side. The Flames head to the All-Star break six points clear of the San Jose Sharks with a game in hand.

Statistical Breakdown

Team Stats

All Situations 5v5 SVA 5v5 CF 40.2% 35.0% 36.3% SCF 40.8% 33.3% 33.0% HDCF 47.6% 30.8% 30.3%

5v5 Player Stats

Calgary Flames

James Neal led the Flames with four scoring chances

Hathaway led the Flames with a 64.7 CF%

Backlund was in his own zone for much of the night, ending at a game-low 21.4%

Carolina Hurricanes

Teravainen was a game-high 75.9 CF%

Williams had a game-high 3 iHDCF

Every single Hurricane was at in the green for CF%; Saku Maenalanen was a team-low 50.0 CF%.

Stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick

Line Combinations

Calgary Flames

Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm

Neal – Backlund – Frolik

Tkachuk – Jankowski – Bennett

Mangiapane – Ryan – Hathaway

Giordano – Brodie

Hanifin – Hamonic

Kylington – Andersson

Rittich

Smith

Carolina Hurricanes

Ferland – Aho – Williams

Niederreiter – McKegg – Teravainen

McGinn – Wallmark – Svechnikov

Foegele – Maenalanen – Martinook

Slavin – Pesce

de Haan – Faulk

van Riemsdyk – Hamilton

Mrazek

Nedeljkovic

Stats courtesy: DailyFaceoff

Thoughts on the Game

It certainly wasn’t a pretty game, but as the Flames have done all season, they found a way to win. They played sloppily, loose defensively, and still never trailed in the game. Perhaps they were looking forward to a nice 10 day break, and thankfully their lacklustre still resulted in a win.

The game last night was definitely within grasp because of Rittich. He was fantastic again in the crease, and there’s no doubt we’ll see him make the majority of the starts in the next 31 team games. Fingers crossed he can replicate his regular season success in the playoffs.

Not much else to say in this one. The Flames return to action after the break against the Capitals, who won’t have Alex Ovechkin in their lineup. He’ll be serving his one game suspension for skipping the All-Star game. Hopefully the Flames can start back on a high note.

The Gaud, the Bad, and the Beautiful

Good: Brodie made up for his gaff on Hamilton’s goal by earning two assists, including the overtime game-winner.

Bad: Johnny Gaudreau‘s point streak came to an end, though he ends January with 18 points in 11 games. He should be better.

Beautiful: The Flames head to the all-star break being only one of two teams with at least 70 points on the season.

Next Game

Opponent: Washington Capitals

Record:

Standings:

Season Series: 0-0-1

Photo by Terence Leung/NHLI via Getty Images