Game Recap: Michael Frolik And The Flames Burn The Blues In 7-4 Win

Game Summary

I think the Flames knew they’d be in for a hard-hitting, fast-paced game against the Blues tonight because they came out swinging. Michael Ferland opened with a big hit and, after a big hit on Joe Colborne, Lance Bouma and Dougie Hamilton started throwing hits back on the Blues players. Garnet Hathaway, staying true to the Wideman Curse, was called for interference after a huge hit on Reaves. The Flames opened the scoring after Allen was caught out of position, but the Blues answered back 9 seconds later to tie the game 1-1. The Flames out on some pressure but the puck went back down the ice to the Flames zone and the Blues were up 2-1. Michael Frolik answered back with a short-handed goal after a surge of energy and a big on-ice celebration. The score was 2-2 after the first period.

The Flames would not be pushed around in the middle frame. Instead of losing their heads after some questionable plays by the Blues, the Flames rallied and earned 3 more goals in 20 minutes. Sean Monahan was the first to step up and aim, shoot, and score to make it 3-2 Flames. After a no call on the Blues for slashing at Johnny Gaudreau’s hands, Mark Giordano notched a goal that was challenged but the goal was good. The score was 4-2 Flames. Monahan potted another goal to put the Flames up 5-2 to finish the period. But the tempers on the Blues team were boiling over when Reaves took a nasty shot at Hathaway (with no call!) and Backes took a cheap shot from behind on Josh Jooris just before the end of the period.

The Flames fought back by putting all the pressure on the Blues during Backes penalty from the second period. Even though the refs weren't making calls on the Blues and then made weak calls on the Flames, Calgary fought back with pressure instead of fists and dirty plays. The Blues scored on a questionable call on Giordano for interference to shrink the gap, 5-3. The game calmed down for a few minutes and the pressure was on the Flames in their own end as the Blues wouldn't let the puck leave the zone. After a lull in the game, St. Louis snuck under the radar and notched another goal for the Blues and the score was 5-4. Calgary took a late period, too many men on the ice penalty, but their penalty kill worked out well and they maintained their one goal lead. And then Frolik happened again with another short-handed goal to put the Flames up 6-4. The Flames and Bouma answer back with some pressure that pays off just before the end of the period. Michael Frolik notched one more goal to finalize the score at 7-4.

Flame Of The Game

Michael Frolik. Consistent, hard-working, and always willing to get his hands dirty in any play that needs him, Frolik was a challenge for the Blues tonight. He notched 2 short-handed goals and an empty-netter for the hat trick against St. Louis and made quite an impact throughout the full 60 minutes during tonight's game.

by Traci Kay