Calgary Flames (1) vs Dallas Stars (2): Stars sweep series 3-0

Preview

Starting netminders are David Rittich for the Calgary Flames and Ben Bishop for the Dallas Stars. The Stars are desperate for a wildcard spot with 84 points – the Avs (81pts), Yotes (81pts), and the Wild (79pts) close behind them.

1st

Rittich finds himself out of position early, but gets bailed out by Noah Hanifin as he stops a wrap around chance. Rasmus Andersson having a good first period – from keeping the puck onside for a Czarnik shot attempt, a scoring chance himself that was saved by Bishop, and good defensive play on other the end.

A Jamie Benn shot goes wide on Rittich, and the Flames put on some pressure with Giordano getting a couple of shots on Bishop, Tkachuk and Backlund cruising the net.

All to be spoiled by Radulov – Czarnik sitting in the penalty box for the Flames on a tripping call – Dallas gets the PP goal. Radulov undressing Flames 77, and 7 on the way to making his goal past Rittich look easy.

The first period ends 1-0 for the Dallas Stars, shots were 12 for the Flames, and 9 for the Stars.

2nd

Lindholm-Backlund-Tkachuk, Brodie-Andersson to start the Flames PP, and the only power play of the second period. Flames registering 3 shots, ending with a shot from Monahan on a Giordano pass.

Oscar Fantenberg rips one after Tkachuk shoots the puck into the attack zone and the Flames are able to control and cycle the puck – Bishop making a big save before exiting the game.

Bill Peters had the 3M line back together half way into the game, and had them on the ice after the Stars had to make a goaltender change with 6:38 left on the clock in the 2nd. Anton Khudobin in net for Dallas, Bishop makes 20 saves before heading out after aggravating a previous lower body injury.

Fans not happy with the non boarding call on Roman Polak – Lindholm going head first into the boards, but comes back to play in the last 5 minutes of the 2nd period after clearing concussion protocol.

3rd

Flames Jankowski looking hungry to start the third with a quick shot off that was deflected wide. Coach Peters hitting reset on the Flames lineup – 3M together, Johnny and Monny back together, Czarnik playing with Janko, Mangiapane with Hathaway.

Stars make it a 2-0 game, Rittich unable to get back in position, Heiskanen scores a PP goal for Dallas.

The Flames go 0/2 on the PP and can’t catch a break as Anton Khudobin makes 15 saves for the Dallas Stars, stopping a shot by Backlund in the first half of the third period, and maintaining control of the puck after Mark Giordano’s 8th shot of the game. The Flames captain with a total of 9 SOG in the game.

Giordano not on the ice for the Calgary Flames lone goal. TJ Brodie breaks the Flames 5 period scoring drought capitalizing on Johnny Gaudreau’s shot rebound at the 1:32 mark of the 3rd. The Flames with an extra attacker, making it a 2-1 game. Peters had Hanifin-Brodie at the point, Lindholm-Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal on the ice.

Flames call at time out with 27.8 seconds left to play, and down by one goal. Peters line up of choice with an empty net was Giordano-Anderson, Tkachuk-Lindholm-Monahan-Gaudreau but time runs out and the Dallas Stars sweep the series 3-0.

Go Flames Go Chant

Calgary Flames fans are in preparation for the playoff run, the go flames go chant started in the first period as Johnny hits NOS and speeds into the attack zone with Frolik – pass to Derek Ryan for a shot that goes wide.

The chant started up again early in the second period during the Flames power play.

Fans chanted for their beloved Flames one last time in the third period with 27 seconds left to no avail. Better luck next game.

Final Thoughts

Rittich able to plug stop a scary chance by Lovejoy in the first period, and then a 2-on-1 opportunity for Jason Spezza in the second period. The Flames goaltender making 20 saves out of 23 shots to try to keep his team in the game.

Andersson and Giordano were the Flames players to watch this game.

The Flames offense just not able to produce after 36 shots on two different Stars goalies. Chances are we will see some more line juggling until the Flames can find a spark.

Next Up:

The Calgary Flames play host to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, March 29th 7pm MT.

by Renu Sahota