After the first period you thought about the Flames of old, how the team can’t find consistency, how it was the same old same old. If you get outworked and ultimately lose to Florida, one of the league’s bottom feeders, you question the state of your own rebuild.

That was the first, and yes, the Flames were terrible. But they get better as the game progresses, that much we know from this year so far, and with a burst in the second period, and a few more in the third, well, Calgary now leads the league with seven road wins.

Some more thoughts.


– Kari Ramo started, but did not finish. He was yanked after the 4th goal mid-way through the second period. That may have sparked the club to the finish line. Hiller only saw 8 shots on goal.

– Johnny Hockey with 3 points, 2 assists and an empty net goal. Sven Baertschi, who rode the pine in the third, needs to take a page out of his book.

– Another big night from Giordano. Leading the rush and was paprt of the game winning goal. A three point night for him too including the team’s first short-handed goal.

– Monhan and Hudler with multi-point nights, but it was Lance Bouma with the late game winning goal. He’s picked up his game and if he plays the right minutes he’s the perfect 4-3rd liner.

– Wideman quiet and also prone to defensive mistakes.

– David Jones with this first of the year.

– Calgary with 3 goals in the third and 3 goals in the second.

The Flames play Carolina to wind down the road-trip. Overall, everyone is surprised with their play, pleasantly surprised. Flames have also played the most games in the league with 16, so even with their hot play as of late, they still will be in a dog-fight to stay competitive. Top teams, even playoff teams, will be better than .600