Game Recap: Wideman Returns, Frustrations Run High As Flames Lose 4-1 To Coyotes

Game Summary

It wasn’t an exceptionally spectacular period of hockey, but the Flames teammates have stepped up in the absence of T.J. Brodie and Sam Bennett. Lance Bouma was taking hits and blocking shots, Michael Frolik was playing his consistent style of hockey, and Joe Colborne was throwing his weight around against the opposition. When Domi tripped up Joni Ortio beside the net, Garnet Hathaway was the first to respond, Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton quickly skated to his aid. Kenny Agostino played hard and Johnny Gaudreau had a hunger to win. The shots on net were 9-8 in favour of Arizona, but the game remained scoreless to close out the first 20 minutes.

Thanks to Frolik taking the puck up the ice, Mikael Backlund opened the second period with a short-handed goal and the Flames were up 1-0. Hathaway blocked a shot later in the period and was in obvious pain, but he remained in the game. The Flames took shot after shot on the Yotes net, but nothing would slip through. The Flames were on the power play when Arizona tied the game with a short-handed goal. Lance was making more hits, once again landing on the floor behind the Flames bench after flying over the boards. The second closed out in a 1-1 tie.

The third period was not kind to the Flames and patience was wearing thin with 3 unanswered Arizona goals. The first was during a Flames penalty kill when Jyrki Jokipakka went to the box for holding. The Yotes were up 2-1. Later in the period, Arizona scored again to put them up 3-1. And they finished off the Flames with an empty net goal to finalize the score at 4-1.

Flame Of The Game

Michael Frolik. He's been consistent up front all season long and doesn't let up even through the toughest games. Tonight he played hard, earned himself an assist, blocked a shot that broke his ankle guard, and earned our coveted Flame Of The Game nod.

by Traci Kay