Flames Lose Again to the Oilers

Different night, same result. After losing the season opener in Edmonton 7-4, the Flames fell again to the Oilers in their home opener, by a score of 5-3.

First Period

The Flames came out flying in this one. Soaring, even. Sean Monahan opened the scoring just over a minute into the game, after a Deryk Engelland shot hit the post, creating a scramble, which resulted in a goal. Gaudreau picked up an assist on the goal, making it #23 and #13’s first points since their big, new, long-term contracts.

Early on, Brian Elliott looked solid. He stopped Mark Letestu on a breakaway after Dennis Wideman turned it over (Wideman turned over many things this game). The Flames’ lead did not last long, as Connor McDavid used his speed to pull away from everyone and put it past Elliott to tie the game. However, the Flames kept pushing in response and Michael Frolik scored his second goal in as many games to put the Flames up 2-1 just over halfway through the first period.

The score was 2-1 after 1, with the shots 24 to 12 for Calgary. They had a ton of shots, they were flying out there, things looked very promising….

Second Period

Things really slowed down in the second period. After some good penalty killing earlier by the Flames, the Oilers’ powerplay broke through and Jordan Eberle knocked in a puck down low in the crease. That was all the scoring there was in a second period that really slowed down in comparison to the first. In fact, the Flames had 3 shots in the second period compared to 24 in the first.

2-2 after 2, with the shots 27-24 for the Flames.

Third Period

Nice passing by an early Oilers powerplay led to a Leon Draisaitl goal just 1:28 into the third. McDavid got an assist on the play, his third point of the game and sixth point in just 2 games. It is truly terrible that he is an Edmonton Oiler, they do not deserve him. He is a phenomenal player. It is going to be tough playing him over the years.

Later in the period, Dennis Wideman turned the puck over for probably this 5th time in the game and Letestu had another breakaway, which he scored on this time. 4-2 Oilers. Jyrki Jokipakka would score his first as a Flame after good work in the offensive zone by Kris Versteeg and Micheal Ferland, but that would be as close as they would get. The Oilers added an empty netter and won by a score of 5-3. Final shot count was 35-29 for Calgary.

Flames 3 Stars

Other Thoughts

Up Next

The Flames are heading to Vancouver tonight to play in the home opener of the Canucks on Saturday. Hopefully things can get back on track there.

by samwell9