Calgary Flames fire towards success in spite of questions
The Calgary Flames have a lot of built-in reasons for doubters. For one – they play in Calgary, a medium-size city (as the NHL goes) in the far reaches of Western Canada. In the Eastern-centric world of the league, they don’t move the needle.
And let’s face it, they’ve sucked for several years. The Flames haven’t made the playoffs since the 2009-10 season, and haven’t won a playoff round since making the Stanley Cup Final in 2004. Since that surprising run, however … not so much.
Until now. The Flames have gone beyond “a hot start” this season, and Calgary Herald columnist George Johnson is calling out the doubters:
“Outside the city limits, they continue to be regarded as some form of hallucination. A trick of the light, perhaps. A mirage, more likely. Rub your eyes hard enough, long enough, and the verdant oasis will be exposed as barren wasteland.
Oh, don’t worry George, we’re taking notice, hence this story on why Calgary’s success isn’t something to take lightly. Especially Tuesday night’s 4-3 shootout win over Anaheim, which moved them to 12-6-2, and surely added a few more believers.
We have a few reasons why we see it as so – that Calgary is a contender this year. Three thoughts:
1. The guy in goal
The signing of Jonas Hiller in the summer totally sniffed like the typical Brian Burke ‘I’m signing this guy to prove everyone wrong’ type move. Well, guess what. Burke has indeed proved everyone wrong. Yes, Brad Treviling is the Flames general manager, but Burke, the hockey operations president, calls the shots.
Hiller’s 2.33 goals-against average and .920 save percentage might not be over-the-top overwhelming, but he’s given the Flames a steady presence in net, which enables the team to play more openly and freely in front of him.
A goaltender like Hiller can make up for any issues the Flames have defensively.
2. The guy on the blueline
Mark Giordano’s torrid point production pace aside – he’s leading NHL defensemen with 21 points-- he has been a rock for the Flames, averaging 24:09 in icetime per game.
He’s also pretty good in the fancy stats department with a 6.75 percent Corsi-for relative per naturalstattrick.com.
Having a guy you can put on the ice for nearly half the game to play that consistently is a luxury many teams don’t have.
Giordano’s skill as a Norris-caliber defenseman has been known in Calgary for some time. This may be the year he gets some league-wide pub.
Giordano is not the only blueliner playing well for Calgary right now. Dennis Wideman just scored two goals to help the Flames to a win over the Ducks.
T.J. Brodie has also come along nicely to help give Calgary one of the best offensively minded defense corps in the league.
3. The kids are all right
Leave it to an American from New Jersey to steal the Flames’ fans red, fiery hearts. Johnny Gaudreau has been electric for Calgary with 13 points in 19 games.
Calgarians love his breakneck attitude on the ice and humbleness off it. They see him as a star for the future, not just a folk hero for the present.
And in case you forgot, Sean Monahan is still just 20 years old.
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