The Win Streak is Over, Boston Bruins Top the Calgary Flames 5-2

Chad Johnson had a rough game, the Flames were not sharp against a strong Bruins team and the Flames 10 game streak of wins came to an end with a 5-2 defeat.

First Period

The Flames were gunning for their eleventh win in a row. This time the challenger was the Boston Bruins. It would be a battle of the backups, with Boston’s Anton Khudobin getting a scheduled start, while Chad Johnson was getting a surprise start after Brian Elliott fell ill. Top goalie prospect Jon Gillies was brought up on an emergency recall, getting to sit on the bench in the NHL for the first time in his young professional career. Matthew Tkachuk was a game time decision for the Flames, but fortunately was able to play.

After a couple rough early powerplays for the Flames against the league’s best penalty-kill, the Flames would get on the board. Alex Chiasson made a nice move coming out from behind the net and chipped the puck past Khudobin for his 10th goal of the season to get the Flames up 1-0.

The lead would be short lived however, as Boston’s David Pastrnak broke down the wing and scored a weak five-hole goal on Chad Johnson. Johnson had some rust after not playing for over a couple of weeks.

It was a pretty even first period, with the Flames having an edge in shots 9-7 and in shot-attempts at even-strength at 14-11 (all shot-attempt numbers from hockeystats.ca).

Second Period

After the second period was rolling along like the first period, Chad Johnson dropped the ball. Hard. Johnson knocked a floater over to an open space instead of trying to cover up the puck and Brad Marchand took the gift and deposited it in the open net. A brutal goal put the Bruins up 2-1.

But just a minute later, Anton Khudobin must have been feeling bad for Johnson and decided to give up an even worse goal. The former Bruin who was generously given to the Flames, Dougie Hamilton, picked up the puck from centre ice and fired it on goal and it went right by Khudobin for his 11th of the year. The score was tied back up at 2.

The goal scoring fest would continue. The Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland line broke in on a dangerous rush, but Gaudreau’s pass was behind Dennis Wideman. The Bruins turned back the other way on a 3-on-2 and David Backes roofed one over the glove of Chad Johnson to put the Bruins back up on top.

The closest the Flames would get to tying up the game before this period was over would be Michael Frolik ringing one off the post.

The Bruins would take their 3-2 lead to the third period. Shots were 23-16 for Boston after two, while also leading the 5-on-5 shot-attempts 39-29. The Flames would need a big third period.

Third Period

Unfortunately, it was an ugly third period. Minutes in, Brodie and Engelland both got caught when they jumped up into the rush and the Bruins ended up on a 2-on-0. Ryan Spooner set up Matt Beleskey (always a Flame killer when he was with Anaheim) and the score was 4-2 Boston. Just an ugly and highly questionable play on their part, but at least it was finally a goal where Johnson could not be faulted.

The Flames would get a late powerplay but once again, the Bruins completely shut them down. They were also unable to get anything done once they pulled the goalie and David Pastrnak scored with a couple of seconds left.

The terrific win streak came to the end. The Bruins prevailed over the Flames 5-2. Shots were 32-24 for the Bruins.

Flames 3 Stars

Other Thoughts

Next Up

The Flames are back at it on Friday against the Dallas Stars. After a rough game today, the Flames can look to get back on the win column Friday. Time for a new streak!

by samwell9