Calgary Flames (2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (3) (OT): Flames drop Game 2

Calgary Flames (2)- Colorado Avalanche (3) (OT)

Recap

The Flames and Avalanche would once again play themselves through a scoreless first period. The Avalanche played their top forwards heavily once again, and were rewarded with some significant scoring chances.Mike Smith had another superb period, stopping 15 shots. The Flames would record 10 of their own.

The Flames got a powerplay 5:30 into the second, when Gabriel Bourque was wrongly sent to the box for Tyson Barrie’s hook on Sam Bennett. This proved to be a disaster for the Flames, who would give up 3 odd man rushes short handed. The final time, TJ Brodie unable to keep the puck in the blue line, was beat to the outside by Matt Nieto.

He would avoid Mike Smith’s poke-check on the breakaway, and chipped it top shelf for Colorado’s first goal of the series. Mike Smith’s shutout streak ended at 87:26 against the Avalanche in this series.

The powerplay would redeem themselves just over 5 minutes later, when Sam Bennett’s no look pass found Rasmus Andersson for a wide open goal. It was Andersson’s first career playoff goal, and Calgary’s 3rd powerplay goal in 2 games.

The Avalanche would continue their strong play in the third, absolutely dominating time of possession. It would be Sean Monahan who would break the tie, taking the third shot attempt after Johnny Gaudreau and Sam Bennett each had theirs blocked.

JT Compher would tie the game with Philpp Grubauer on the bench. A set play bounced off Travis Hamonic’s skate and perfectly onto Compher’s stick.

Nathan MacKinnon wired the game winning goal home just 8 minutes into the first overtime, after Grubauer robbed Michael Frolik.

Scoring

Flames

1st: N/A

2nd: 12:26 PPG- Andersson (1) (Bennett, Backlund)

3rd: 12:27- Monahan (1) (Bennett, Gaudreau)

OT: N/A

Avalanche

1st: N/A

2nd: 7:16 SHG- Nieto (1) (N/A)

3rd: 17:21- Compher (1) (Landeskog, Rantanen)

OT: 8:27- MacKinnon (1) (N/A)

What’s Next?

4/15 Game 3: Calgary Flames @ Colorado Avalanche 8:00 PM MT

by Gordie Taylor