Game Recap: Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers

9th place versus 10th place. Normally you’d say “who cares?” But when it’s the Flames and Oilers the records don’t matter.

The first period was all Flames. They peppered Talbot early and often. As much as Calgary owned the period, Cam Talbot may have had the save of the night. TJ Brodie grabbed a juicy rebound and had an open net…..so he thought. Talbot somehow got his glove over and absolutely robbed Brodie’s attempt. Sam Bennett, shocker, provided Calgary’s only mark of the period. Michael Frolik and his relentless forecheck lead to a turnover in the Oilers end and Frolik and Backlund fed Bennett for a sweet backhand that beat Talbot over the shoulder for a 1-0 lead. Michael Frolik, in his first game back, lead the Flames in the first. His forecheck was ferocious and he had 2 shots on net and appears to be healthy. Calgary had 3 power play opportunities in the period and came up empty on 2, the third carried over to the second period.

The Flames started the second period on a power play, but couldn't muster anything with the man advantage. Neither team really did much in the second frame. Bennett and Frolik continued to play well and Hiller stopped what little action he saw. Edmonton applied some pressure around the 11:00 mark, but didn't get many quality shot attempts. The Flames managed one more power play, but as they've done most of the season, they got nothing out of it.

The third went by way of the second. Not a ton of action, but Mark Fayne was able to the equalizer when he took a pass off the face-off and sniped a wrister over Hiller on the glove side to tie it at 1. Each team had some opportunities at the end of the third, but couldn’t capitalize.

Nothing could be settled in regulation, so the Flames and Oilers went to overtime. Calgary grabbed an OT power play after Nurse hauled Wideman down, but Calgary couldn't end it in the extra frame.

Gaudreau and Monahan were deniedby Talbot in the shootout. Hiller was saved by the post on Nugent-Hopkins' attempt, but he couldn't stop Purcell as he skated in and beat Hiller 5 hole. Sam Bennett was the last hope for Calgary, but as he did all night, Cam Talbot came up big and stopped Bennett's attempt. Edmonton takes game 4 of this season's 5 game series with a 2-1 SO victory.

Flame of The Game:

Michael Frolik

by Mark Parkinson