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Calgary Flames

Senators 6, Flames 3: Methot To The Madness

Kyle Turris recorded three points, including two goals as the Flames watched the Senators double them up, 6-3.

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First Period

Ottawa drew first blood when Milan Michalek scored his 15th of the season at the 10:42 mark on starter Karri Ramo. Erik Karlsson collected his 50th assist of the season on the play, and Ales Hemsky was awarded his 25th.

Just under three minutes later, the Flames pulled even when Matt Stajan (12) beat Robin Lehner for the 1-1 tie. Jiri Hudler and Curtis Glencross earned the assists.

The Senators went on the first power play of the night when Brian McGrattan was called for slashing at the 17:11 mark. It was an embarrassing display for one of the supposedly more elite power play units in the NHL, as Calgary matched Ottawa with one shot a piece over the two minutes.

Just after the teams returned to even strength, Michalek (16) lit the lamp for the second time in the period. He was parked in front of Ramo’s left (far) post and easily wristed a quick pass from Jason Spezza past the goaltender’s pad side. Hemsky earned his second assist of the night on the play.

First Period Observations

  • Each team hit their locker room with 13 shots on goal. Mikael Backlund had four of them.
  • Kris Russell had four blocked shots in the period for the Flames. Calgary led the category nine-to-five.
  • The Senators held a 12-to-7 edge in faceoffs, mostly due to Kyle Turris‘ five-for-six start to the contest.

Second Period

Just under four minutes into the middle frame, Lord Paul Byron (7) put the Flames back in a tie with the Senators. Mike Cammalleri skated down the right side with the puck, passing the net and dishing the puck back to Byron. Byron slapped it home past Lehner's stick side. Backlund was awarded the second assist on the play.

The Flames went on their first man-advantage of the night at the 5:01 mark when Chris Phillips was called for interfering with Sean Monahan. The ensuing power play would see a short handed breakaway which saw Ramo come almost all the way out to the blue line to poke the puck away from the challenging Senator. On the return trip down the ice, Cammalleri had a loose puck and a wide open net, but a dedicated stretch by Lehner prevented the Flames from taking the lead.

Just as the power play ended, Monahan (20) slammed the puck past Lehner’s left shoulder for a 3-2 lead. Hudler and Joe Colborne earned the assists on the play.

At the 12:26 mark, Zach Kassian and Kevin Westgarth dropped the gloves for a quick fracas at center ice. After the throwdown, Calgary went on the power play for two minutes. The Flames made just one shot over the two minutes, and saw the puck leave the zone twice.

Turris (24) tied the score at three at the 16:47 mark with a snap-shot over Ramo’s glove side. Clarke MacArthur had the lone assist on the play.

Second Period Observations

Third Period

It didn’t take the Sens long to climb back on top. With 1:12 elapsed in the frame, Jared Cowen scored his sixth of the season against an out-of-position Ramo, who was trying to clear the puck. Mika Zibanejad earned the assist on the play.

The Flames earned a power play at the 8:44 mark when Chris Neal took down Colborne breaking toward the net. The power play would see Calgary hold the puck in the zone for a full 1:15 before the Senators managed to clear it for the first time.

At 12:21, Clarke MacArthur gave Ottawa a two-goal lead with his 24th of the season. Turris got the assist on the play.

Monahan was called for holding the stick of Zibanejad at the 12:53 mark, giving the Senators their second power play of the night. Calgary killed it off, but there were only five minutes left when it was done. With a two goal deficit, the stagecoach was starting to look like a pumpkin.

Turris scored his second goal of the night at the 18:39 mark on an empty net, giving the Senators a 6-3 lead for the final margin.

Third Period Observations

Next up for the Flames, a road game in Toronto against the NHL charter member Maple Leafs, who have an eight game pointless streak which is pushing them out of the playoff picture. In the meantime, keep it locked in here at Matchsticks and Gasoline. For Ottawa’s point of view, go to Silver Seven.

by Kevin Kraczkowski