Game Recap: Flames Drowned By Hurricanes 5-2

Game Summary

The Calgary Flames took on the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh tonight and it was a roller coaster ride of ups and downs throughout the game. With only 4 wins so far in January, the Flames needed to find a way – but tonight was not their night. As always, there are good periods and there are bad. Tonight was not very good.

The first period was bad…really bad. It took less than three minutes for the home team to open the scoring, putting the Flames down by one. Even though Jiri Hudler had a good chance on net, he couldn’t capitalize to even the score. After a bad turnover by Kris Russell at the Hurricanes blue line which led to a one on one chance for the Canes, a penalty shot was awarded to Carolina when Russell again messed up and tripped Lindholm before he could get the shot off. Lindholm scored and the Hurricanes were up by two to end the first period.

It was another less than stellar period for the Flames in the beginning of the second as the defense seemed sub-par. In spite of Karri Ramo making a key save to keep Calgary alive, he was yanked from net and replaced by Jonas Hiller after a third goal by Carolina. With a score of 3-0, a spurt of energy from the visiting team led to a mess in front of the Canes net and the Flames found a way to bury the puck at the end of the period to break the shutout. The score was 3-1 heading into the third.

The final frame started out well enough for the visitors when Joe Colborne scored a follow up goal to put the Flames back in the game with a score of 3-2. With some momentum and a bit more energy than in the first 40 minutes, the Flames pushed back. But, just like that, a rebound on Hiller went in and, even though it was challenged by Bob Hartley, the goal was good and Calgary seemed deflated with a score of 4-2. But that’s not all. With one more goal, making it 5-2 in the later part of the period, the Carolina Hurricanes took two points and sent the Flames packing.

Flame Of The Game

Joe Colborne. With 1 goal, 1 assist, and a +1 rating, Colborne looked focused and wanted to win. He was a man on a mission during his 7:55 on ice and the 6'5" forward capitalized on as many chances as he could in such a short period of time. Including tonight's performance, Colborne now has 6 goals and 11 assists throughout 39 games this season with the Flames.

Up Next

The Calgary Flames are off to Dallas to take on the Stars tomorrow night.

by Traci Kay