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Flames Perform Valiantly, Fall in Shootout to Oilers

The Battle of Alberta didn’t disappoint on Saturday

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For the third time this season, the Flames and Oilers met in the Battle of Alberta. But it was the first time in a decade that the two teams had met this late in the season while both occupying playoff spots. With Calgary chasing Edmonton, yeah, I guess you could say this game mattered.

Calgary entered coming off a 2-1 lacklustre loss to New Jersey, while Edmonton last beat those same Devils 3-2 in overtime.

Brian Elliott got the start in net for the Flames and aside from that, everything else remained the same.

1st Period:

Jyrki Jokipakka took an early tripping penalty in the defensive zone to head the Oilers to an early powerplay. The Flames would make a strong kill including a couple solid saves from Brian Elliott.

Calgary would then get a great opportunity with a 3 on 1 but Cam Talbot would make a huge save on a cross-crease one-timer.

Later in the period the Flames would be sent to the powerplay when Mark Giordano was hauled down by Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers would kill it off but not without the Flames generating a few strong chances.

We’d get some four or four action with the teams taking coincidental minor penalties.

Shockingly the game would actually slow down in the four on four action but pick back up after.

The opening period ends without either team finding the scoresheet, and shots sitting at 7-5 for Calgary but wow what a fast and exciting period.

2nd Period

The second period would feature long swaths of hockey that featured mainly defensive shutdown and clogging of the neutral zone as both teams aimed to shut down the other teams top offensive players. This was highlighted by both teams combining for only 5 shots through the first 15 minutes of the period.

The Oilers would then be given a powerplay when Jyrki Jokipakka was sent off for holding.

Edmonton would manage to strike on their powerplay as Patrik Maroon banged a puck in front of the net after a scramble.

The Flames would immediately strike back with Sean Monahan following up on his own rebound to tie the game at 1. Two goals in 26 seconds from the teams combined.

The second period ends with a couple late goals and the score at 1-1, the shots in the game are 13-12 for Edmonton.

3rd Period

I’m having a difficult time describing what the third period was but essentially it was the definition of exactly you want to see in a hockey game. Offensive opportunities, great defensive plays, outstanding saves, and tons and tons of checking.

Regulation ends with the score tied 1-1 and the shots at 25-21 for Calgary.

Overtime

The overtime period would start with the Oilers controlling the puck for the first minute and a half with a couple outstanding saves being made by Elliott to keep the game going.

Johnny Gaudreau would get the best Flames chance of overtime by ringing a shot of the post with twenty seconds left.

Overtime ends with the score still tied, and final game shots 26-25 Edmonton

Shootout

Round 1:

EDM: Leon Draisaitl (Goal)

CGY: Sean Monahan (Save)

Round 2:

EDM: Mark Letestu (Goal)

CGY: Johnny Gaudreau (Save)

The Oilers get the victory in the shootout as they down the Flames 2-1. Just a thought but I think it’s a shame to end such a good hockey game with a shootout.

The Good

The Bad

The Ugly

The Flames record falls to 23-20-3 and they fall to four points behind the Oilers and are three points behind the Sharks for third in the Pacific Divison.

At the end of the day we got to witness a hell of a hockey game and even though the result sucks, we should be thrilled about where the Battle of Alberta is headed. We should also be satisfied with the Flames’ performance after the stinker against New Jersey.

Calgary next takes to the ice on Tuesday when the Florida Panthers come to town.

by Michael MacGillivray