Flames (3) – Blackhawks (5): Flames Continue Home Struggles

Calgary Flames 3 – Chicago Blackhawks 5

Complete Stats

Scoring

Calgary Flames

1st: None

2nd: 19:54 – Bennett (4) (Ryan, Lucic)

3rd: 15:30 – SHG Frolik (5) (N/A), 16:48 – Monahan (13) (Tkachuk, Gaudreau)

Chicago Blackhawks

1st: 4:14 – Maatta (2) (Kane, Strome), 5:35 – PPG DeBrincat (10) (Strome, Kane), 12:44 – Kane (21) (Sikura, Carpenter)

2nd: 9:41 – Strome (9) (DeBrincat, Murphy)

3rd: 19:59 – ENG – Kane (22) (Maatta)

Recap

Patrick Kane had 4 points by games’ end Tuesday night.

The Calgary Flames fell 5-3 to the visiting Blackhawks in their final game of 2019. A furious comeback launched in the final 5 minutes of the game was not enough to overcome falling behind 3-0 for the second straight game in the first period.

Olli Maatta, Alex DeBrincat, and Patrick Kane all fired shots past David Rittich in the first. For awhile, the Czech netminder had given up 6 goals on just 17 shots going back to Sunday’s loss against Vancouver.

Dylan Strome would wire a glove-high laser past Rittich, before Sam Bennett stopped the bleeding, firing home a Derek Ryan one-timer with just 4 seconds remaining in the second period.

The Blackhawks held the Flames at bay for a majority of the third period. Elias Lindholm created a turnover on a penalty kill with just under 5 minutes remaining, and Michael Frolik was able to slide a shot through Robin Lehner for a shorthanded goal.

The Flames pulled Rittich early, with 4:20 remaining, and it paid off. Sean Monahan finished off Matthew Tkachuk’s strong move to the net, and the Flames were within one.

Sam Bennett was rewarded for his strong game with some final minute ice time, but neither he nor Matthew Tkachuk could finish golden chances. Patrick Kane sank an empty net goal with less than a second remaining for his fourth point of the night.

Final Thoughts

Despite a thrilling and heartening ending to the game, the Flames had another poor outing at the Saddledome. The team dropped their fifth straight at home, and have only scored 9 goals over those 5 games.

David Rittich responded well to another abysmal start, as Geoff Ward gave him a vote of confidence by leaving him in to play the remainder of the game. Rittich only allowed one more goal, and made some phenomenal saves in the final period to give his team a chance.

The penalty kill has now given up 3 goals over the past 2 games.

Flame Of The Game

Sam Bennett (F) – Bennett had only played 5 games since returning from injury before being scratched against Vancouver. He returned to form in a big way, putting the Flames on the board with his first point since returning and adding 6 hits, including a monster on Patrick Kane. His performance was rewarded with some final minute ice time, and his hands and puck skills nearly netted him his second of the game.

What’s Next?

1/2: Calgary Flames vs New York Rangers, 7 PM MT

by Gordie Taylor