Recap: Calgary Flames (4) @ LA Kings (3): Sean Monahan OT King

The West Coast can be a nightmare for the Flames, but this trip has been filled with nothing but sweet success. The Flames swept their trip though California by taking down the Kings in OT 4-3, winning their 3rd straight. As if the Kings & Flames needed any more sub plots in this rivalry it was Jaromir Jagr’s Flames debut and Matthew Tkachuk continued to make more friends in Los Angeles.

1st Period: Calgary Flames 2 LA Kings 0

Well, that’s how you start a hockey game. The Flames came out of the locker room determined to dictate the pace of play and boy did they ever. The Flames wanted to play fast, the Kings wanted to play physical and Calgary won out, closing the first 20 minutes with a 2-0 lead. Matthew Tkachuk no doubt made everyone in LA angry once again. The Flames #1 agitator and young talent settled in out front and tucked one through Jonathan Quick’s 5 hole to put the Flames up 1-0 on the PP.

Calgary continued to press as Johnny Gaudreau crusied down the right side, made a few nice moves and found a WIDE open Michael Frolik who deposited his first of the season, making it 2-0 Calgary. The Flames would hold onto that lead as Mike Smith continued to amaze with his play in the other end. Smith stopped all 15 shots he faced in the period to keep the Flames out front.

Now, for what you really wanted to know. Jaromir Jagr looked great. He had 2 shots on net in the period and if not for some fast reflexes by Jonathan Quick, Jagr would have had his first of the season.

2nd Period: Calgary Flames 2 LA Kings 1

To quote Samuel L. Jackson from Jurassic Park “hold on to your butts.” That’s the theme for the second period. Calgary weathered a fierce LA attack in the last 10 minutes of the period and clung to a 1 goal lead after 40 minutes.

The Flames had opportunities to extend their 2 goal lead, but failed. LA gave Calgary a 4 minute PP by way of a roughing penalty to Andre Andreoff and Calgary’s man up units looked terrible. The Kings managed to kill all 4 minutes while looking like the team that was playing man up. Calgary would get another PP opportunity and put 2 shots on net, but once again they came up empty. LA began to pick up the pace and it paid off.

Anze Kopitar fired a shot to Mike Smith’s glove side that hit the post and ricocheted in getting the Kings within one at 2-1. That score would hold thanks to Mike Smith. LA would try to get the equalizer, but Smith stood tall and kept the Kings off the scoreboard.

3rd Period: Calgary Flames 3 LA Kings 3

The Kings started the period on a PP (leftover Mike Smith interference penalty) and 1 second after that ended Dustin Brown tipped in a shot 14 seconds into the period and tied it at 2-2. Not to be outdone, Dustin Brown sat out front and tipped in another Kings shot to give LA a 3-2 lead. LA controlled the pace for most of the third, but the Flames would get the equalizer.

Matthew Tkachuk would score again after Dougie Hamilton would create a turnover and feed the young forward for his second of the night, tying it 3-3. The rest of the period would get feisty with scrum after scrum, but the game would head to overtime to settle this Western Conference battle.

OT: Calgary Flames 4 LA Kings 3

The Kings entered the extra frame with some jump, but it wouldn’t last long. The Flames would get Gaudreau and Monahan on the ice together and it would pay off. Sean Monahan would steal the puck and push the play up ice. Monahan fed Gaudreau, who got the puck to T.J. Brodie and his patience paid off for the Flames. Brodie would hold the puck while Jonathan Quick over committed, leaving Sean Monahan wide open for a tip in, giving the Flames the 4-3 overtime win.

Final Thoughts

The Flames were able to play both an aggressive and speed game against the Kings and come out victorious. Calgary was able to get down in the gutter and play very physical, which is something they’ll need to do in the rough and tough Western Conference. Mike Smith once again came up huge for the Flames all night keeping them in this contest and allowing it to get to overtime. Calgary has now swept a trip though California, collecting all 4 points on their trip. Jaromir Jagr played a little over 13 minutes tonight and was fairly effective. He had 2 shots on goal and didn’t look out of place on the ice. Sam Bennett and Kris Versteeg look like the perfect line mates for Jagr as they played well together and moved the puck like they have been playing together for a while. A few more game under his belt and Jagr should settle in nicely.

Flame of The Game

Michael Frolik (F). While there were many Flames to pick from and were deserving, Frolik picked up 2 points, had 3 SOG, laid a huge hit on Drew Doughty and got in a scrum and held his own. Frolik’s goal and assist now give him 3 points on the season.

What’s Next:

Calgary vs Ottawa, Friday 10/13, 7PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

by Mark Parkinson