Flames Earn Big Home Win over Avalanche

The Flames returned home to the Scotiabank Saddledome where their struggles had been well documented lately. With an afternoon game against the Avalanche, the Flames needed to have a big game, and they did.

1st Period: Calgary Flames 2, Colorado Avalanche 1

The Flames got off an ideal start with Micheal Frolik stealing a loose bank and scoring on Semyon Varlamov just eighteen seconds into the game. Mikael Backlund would get an assist on the goal. 1-0 Flames.

The Avalanche would push hard after the goal but Jon Gillies would stand tall to keep the Flames up. His hard work would pay off as the Flames would extend their lead a few minutes later. The 3M Line would continue their strong start with a tic-tac-toe passing play being finished off by Mark Giordano to make it 2-0. Assists on the goal went to Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk. The goal was Gio’s tenth of the season. 2-0 Flames.

Colorado would get a goal back late in the period when Gillies was the victim of a bad bounce. A shot from centre ice would bounce in front of Gillies, hit the post and then the back of his blocker and roll into the net. 2-1 Flames.

2nd Period: Calgary Flames 3, Colorado Avalanche 1

The Avalanche would get an early powerplay in the second period and push really hard to tie the game. Thanks to a combination of posts, shot blocking, and saves from Gillies, the Flames managed to kill the penalty and keep the lead.

On their own powerplay the Flames would add to their lead with Sean Monahan deflecting a Michael Stone point shot for his 29th goal of the year. The powerplay continues to be red hot. However there was a bit of a scare as Dougie Hamilton took a puck up high and left for the second period but returned in the third. 3-1 Flames.

Calgary would get another powerplay late in the period and get some chances but couldn’t extend their lead.

3rd Period: Calgary Flames 5, Colorado Avalanche 1

Early in the third period Troy Brouwer would add to the Flames lead (yes, Troy Brouwer) with a wrist shot from the right circle. The goal was Brouwer’s fourth of the year with assists to Matt Stajan and T.J. Brodie. 4-1 Flames.

Calgary would do a great job for the rest of the period in holding their lead and shutting down the Avalanche, limiting them to only four shots.

The Flames red-hot powerplay would strike late in the third with the second unit getting in on the action. After a great play from Brodie to keep the puck in, Brouwer and Backlund would complete a give-and-go with Backlund scoring. 5-1 Flames.

Final Thoughts

• Despite his centre-ice hiccup, Jon Gillies had an outstanding game today
• The 3M Line had a really good game after struggling the last couple weeks
• The powerplay had another strong showing
• I thought Andrew Mangiapane played a strong game on the third line
• The Flames have ten goals in two games which is huge
• Calgary is now in a wildcard spot and have won two straight
• Sam Bennett looked pretty good on the top line again today

Flame of the Game

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Mikael Backlund (F): He had a three point game and really excelled this afternoon for the Flames. Honourable mention to Gillies but Backlund’s big game was indicative of the great day the entire 3M Line had.

Next Up: The Flames head to Dallas on Tuesday night.