Every Point Counts: Moments this Season where The Flames Earned Crucial Points

Now that the Calgary Flames have MADE THE 2015 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS I thought it would be fun to look back on games where the Flames somehow earned points in games they probably shouldn’t have.

There were many moments during the 2014-2015 season in which a Flames fan simply sat back and said "wow" or "no way". The way this team simply shocked its own fans and the entire NHL was something amazing. The games where the Flames managed to steal points from another team or create a ferocious third period comeback have all turned out to be crucial to the Flames making this final playoff push.

Here we take a look back at games where the Flames managed to eke out points against the odds and how those points dramatically changed our season. I'll just be looking at the positives here, not the games where we should've got more points because hey, there's no reason to dwell on the negatives in this amazing season.

1. October 15, Jonas Hiller's 49 save performance in a 2-1 OT win vs Chicago 2pts

The fifth game of the season featured complete domination by the Blackhawks outshooting Calgary 50-18, but thanks to Hiller’s outstanding performance, he carried the team to an unlikely victory. Perhaps he can get us a few of these in the playoffs, too.

2. November 22, Two goals in final 2:22 to tie game, leading to 5-4 SO win vs New Jersey 2pts

This game required almost the full 60 minutes for the Flames to tie it. After New Jersey led by two goals at three separate occasions, (2-0, 3-1, 4-2) the Flames did what they were becoming known for and created an epic comeback. First, Hudler scored a flukey goal, then now-Washington Capital Curtis Glencross tied it with only five seconds to play. Hudler would then go on to win the game in the shootout, completing the epic comeback.

3. December 4, Late tying goal, leading to 4-3 OT win vs Colorado 2pts

Dennis Wideman added to his torrent start to the season scoring his 10th of the year with only 1:17 to go, tying the game at three. Then in overtime, Sean Monahan scored the winner in a scramble in front of the net. Yet another third period comeback gave Bob Hartley his 400th win and the Flames two points.

4. December 22, Johnny Gaudreau's hat trick, leading to 4-3 OT win vs Los Angeles 2pts

This effort by Johnny Hockey saved the season. There’s no other way to really look at it. He scored his last two goals in the final 2:12 of the 3rd period and Mark Giordano continued his stellar season with an Orr-like goal to win the game. This game ended the dreaded eight-game losing streak and gave the Flames new momentum heading into the Christmas break. Thanks Johnny!

5. January 10, Joni Ortio’s 36-save shutout, in a 1-0 win vs Vancouver 2pts

After Mikael Backlund scored on the Flames’ first shot of the game, Joni Ortio put up an amazing performance shutting out the Canucks with 36 saves. This was only two days after he had been called up from Adirondack and was the first win on the divisional road trip in which he led the Flames to four victories in five games. Not a bad guy to have as a backup going into playoffs against the same Canucks.

6. March 5, David Schlemko's what-did-I-just-see shootout goal, giving the Flames a 4-3 SO win vs Boston 2pts

The Flames didn’t really “steal” any points in this game but the simple fact that Josh Jooris managed to keep the shootout alive, leading to the move that is now known as The Schlemko, is reason enough to remember this game. First game as a Flame, pulling off that move, talk about being gutsy.

7. March 8, Four-goal comeback in third period, leading to 5-4 SO loss vs Ottawa 1pt

Okay, I know we lost this game, but this single point could make a huge difference in this playoff run. Personally, I wasn't able to watch after it was 4-0 and I really wasn't fretting as I assumed it was going to be a loss. THE ONE GAME I COULDN'T WATCH THE THIRD PERIOD!!! Anyways, back to the Flames, they amazingly tied the game with four goals in under 11 minutes to send the game to the shootout. Despite not winning, this still was an awesome game.

So that's 13 points this year that the Flames somehow managed to get. A few times it was hot goaltending, a few times it was third period comebacks, sometimes it was a combination of the two.

Either way, these points have proved crucial to Calgary down the stretch run as they find themselves IN the playoffs. I'm hoping they can pull out a few clutch wins like these come playoff time. No matter what though, games like these have made this season very memorable to Flames fans everywhere. Keep it up boys! You've already made this city super proud and we thank you!

by Michael MacGillivray