There were a number of rare occurrences in Chicago. The Calgary Flames opened up what should be a challenging road-swing (aren’t they all?) against the Stanley Cup Champs no less.
For one, Calgary hasn’t won in Chicago in over 5 years.
Second, Calgary waived Joey MacDonald and brought up Reto Berra (another project of Jay Feaster who falls under ‘best ________ outside of the NHL’). After seeing MacDonald play on Friday I lamented aloud, “they’re going to send him to the minors for that goal….”
With Berra’s play he may be staying.
Third, baptism by fire for Berra who comes up from the AHL and is thrown to the wolves. He could’ve shrunk or he could’ve stood tall, he did the latter. There were two goalies that shone as bright on their opening game for the Flames. Kiprusoff, and none other than Freddie Brathwaite. The former went on to a storied Flames career. Can we assume the same with Berra? Too soon to tell but his fundamentals in net were great. Only caught out of position once, he slammed the door shut on Chicago and gave a chance for the FLames to pull out the victory.
Fourthly, the Flames rarely win in OT, but somehow with the no-name lineup they continue to skate, they found a way to sneak one by Crawford courtesy of Kris Russell.
How about that, all the unexpected from the Flames against a much more talented club. Will the trend continue? Well at least for Berra we’ll have to wait and see.
A great win nonetheless. Russell ruins the Hawks statistics in their own rink! A noteworthy performance, but I wouldn’t say the same as far as reffing is concerned…..No dirty plays by the Blackhawks? The holding on the puck penalty to Stajan as well as the two men disadvantage to the Flames..only because the Flames had been awarded a penalty shot? C’mon give me a break guys……
Inherently, the Flames were at their best last night and suprisingly the team can perform exceedingly well against the Champs…Keep on persevering boys!.