A View From the Press Box
Flames Schooled By the Bruins
The Calgary Flames lost to the Boston Bruins 4 to 3 in home game 30 and overall season game 62 on Friday night. The Flames had a fantastic start! Mikael Backlund scored the 1st goal 20 seconds into the game and added his 2nd goal at the 2:34 minute mark. However, by the end of the period the Bruins had tied the score 3 to 3.
After the Bruins took the lead in the 2nd period on an early goal by Brad Marchand – only 52 seconds in; the Bruins shut the Flames down. The Flames managed only 5 shots in the 2nd period. It was indeed a very flat period for the home team. The Bruins play with a lot of structure and consistent play. They are a very experienced squad and show few weaknesses. Tonight’s game was a great test for the Flames. They survived the first period but lacked a push in the remaining periods. Yes, they managed 10 shots in the 3rd but it just wasn’t enough.
Bottom line – the Flames were schooled by a very well balanced and solid hockey team. The Boston Bruins are the first team in the NHL to reach 90 points this season. This is indeed a legit Stanley Cup contender. The B’s rolled over 4 lines all night, with shorter shifts than the Flames, creating lots of pressure on the puck, being masterful at blocking shots and creating a strong defensive structure in their own zone.
The first star of the game was Mikael Backlund, second star Patrice Bergeron and third star Johnny Gaudreau. Backlund scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season and logged 17:22 minutes. Patrice Bergeron had two goals as well. His 28th and 29th while playing only 15:59 minutes. Johnny played the most of any Flames forward with 20:18 minutes, scored his 15th goal which was the Flames final goal.
When asked about playing against the Bruins, Flames Interim Head Coach Geoff Ward stated the following at the post game press conference. “At no point do you see them panic. When they got down 2 – 0 they got to work. When they got down 3 – 1 they just kept working… they have got the confidence in being able to manage games”…“I just think you really have to pay attention to your structure. Especially when you’re playing a team like that…they have the ability to bounce back.”
Matthew Tkachuk was on the same page as his coach with his post game comments. “We made it 2 – 0 they scored right away. Made it 3 -1 they scored right away…there’s better ways to manage it. That first shift after goals is huge. That first shift of the period is huge…we gotta try to have better shifts after a goal is scored for and against.”
Yes indeed the Flames lack consistency and a strong defensive structure at times tonight and it cost them. With their Captain Mark Giordano still out of the line up there’s indeed a big void. They will need him healthy soon to ensure a stronger run towards the playoffs. The good news; he participated in a morning skate today!
The hockey experts predict the magic number to make the playoffs is 95 points. The Flames (31 -25 – 6) have 68 points with 20 games remaining. Currently, the Flames have a wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Flames have allowed 30 goals in their last 6 home games at the dome! They start a 5 game road trip in Detroit on Sunday. It may be what the team badly needs! The remaining 6 weeks of the regular season will be interesting for sure. This writer feels it will go right down to the wire in a very tight Pacific Division. Stay tuned – it’s going to be a very close finish in the West!
