Calgary Flames 4 - Carolina Hurricanes 3

Complete Stats

Recap

That went just as the Flames drew it up: go to Carolina and have every ex-Hurricane contribute to the scoring with the exception of one goal. To be fair, every Carolina goal today had Dougie Hamilton and Micheal Ferland’s fingerprints on it as well, but in the end the Flames had one more in the score column and walked away 4-3 winners.

The Flames looked like a much different hockey team than the team that struggled with the Capitals on Friday night. The Flames were fast, focused and they would respond quickly after Carolina put the first points on the board. Elias Lindholm would collect his 23rd goal of the season after a Mark Giordano shot would find his pants and redirect into the Carolina net past Peter Mrazek and we were tied 1-1.

The Flames would score the next two goals of the contest and increase their lead to 3-1. Derek Ryan (5) would score on a beautiful wrap around early in the second period and Calgary would grab a 2-1 lead. Not to be content, Garnet Hathaway would deliver the 3rd Flames goal by way of a short handed tally and Calgary had a comfortable 3-1 lead.

The Hurricanes would cut the lead to 3-2 with a Dougie Hamilton goal late in the second period and it looked like the Hurricanes were on their way back to tying the game, but a former Hurricane had other plans. Noah Hanifin would blast a slap shot from the point past Mrazek for his 5th goal of the season and Calgary would pad their lead to 4-2. Sebastian Aho would add to his stat sheet with a goal with under a minute left, but the Flames held on for a 4-3 victory.

Scoring

Flames

1st: 7:58- (PPG) Lindholm (23) (Monahan/Giordano)

2nd: 7:39- Ryan (5) (Mangiapane/Kylington), 12:34- (SHG) Hathaway (7) (Ryan)

3rd: 13:05- Hanifin (5) (Bennett/Neal)

Hurricanes

1st: 4:03- Teravainen (12) (Ferland/Aho)

2nd: 18:27- Hamilton (9) (Wallmark/Teravainen)

3rd: 19:05- Aho (24) (Ferland/Hamilton)

Final Thoughts

The Flames looked like the Calgary team that went into the break on a three game winning streak Sunday afternoon. The Flames played a very physical game, out hitting the Hurricanes 22-19. Calgary once again managed to out score a team that took more shots than them as well. The Flames PP was pretty “meh” today, but the other half of the special teams unit was perfect. The Flames PK went 4-4 on the day shutting down Carolina’s power play.

David Rittich looked solid in his first start since the nine game break. He stopped 34 of the 37 shots that came his way earning his 19th win of the season.

Calgary’s Carolina imports were a HUGE reason the Flames swept the season series from the Hurricanes. Derek Ryan had two points, Lindholm had a goal and Noah Hanifin scored as well. At times it looked like the Flames were trying a little too hard to get Ryan and Hanifin involved or on the scoresheet, but you can’t argue with the results.

Flame Of The Game

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Ryan (C): Ryan had himself a game in his return to Carolina. The former Cane had a goal, an assist, two shots on net and was 5/11 at the faceoff dot.

What’s Next?

2/7: Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks, 7 PM MT