Scored tickets last minute to this doozy and BAM! what a game it was! I’ve been to playoff games all through 2004, 2009, and today, and I can say without a doubt, this is not only different, but it was the loudest!
Go Flames Go! View from here. pic.twitter.com/ofHVyxWgJS
— Ro (@flamesstamps) April 22, 2015
The talk around town before the game was that if the Calgary Flames couldn’t get off to the same start as they did in Game 3 they would win. All of the pregame banter centered around Vancouver’s lack of scoring and old man Kevin Bieska’s failed mind games. Most before puck drop fans learned that public enemy #1 Alex Burrows was going to miss the game with a suspected broken rib. Too bad, the Canucks could’ve used him.
No matter, the Flames picked up from where they left off in Game 2, and the fans did their part blowing the roof off the ‘Dome. The team fed off the enthusiasm and capitalized quickly on the PP with Gaudreau scoring his first. Monahan has largely been quiet and continues to float around, but Hudler and Gaudreau got on the scoresheet tonight.
Vancouver responded to the opening goal quickly silencing the crowd. Looking at the tweets during the game, pundits thought the Flames were badly outplayed, and although they spent more time in their own zone tonight compared to Game 3, they found ways to take advantage of their opportunities. Watching the game live you didn’t get the sense that Vancouver had momentum or quality scoring chances even though they had zone time. Calgary on the other hand, scored 3 goals in the first off of 8 shots. 2 on the PP, all lead by the defence.
The crowd was bananas loud the entire time.
Gaudreau, Hudler, and Bennett with his second rounded out the scoring in the first. Michael Ferland with more hits in the first than the ENTIRE Canuck lineup COMBINED. How’s that for irrelevant Bieska? By they way, he took the majority of boos all game and looked like an old man on skates fighting the puck all game long.
I didn’t watch the game on TV, but I assume they had Eddie Lack’s dad on to ask him how his son felt getting heckled into oblivion.
EDDIEEEEEE!!! EDDIEEEEEE!!! EDDIEEEEEE!!! #CGYvsVAN #OneMoreWin #NeverQuit! ???? pic.twitter.com/y36wPt6mr7
— Just call me Rob?? (@etchysketch) April 22, 2015
This was LOUD at the Dome and Lack for his sake didn’t return. Ryan Miller came back and took over. He looked OK, and maybe he steals a game for the ‘Nucks. As for Vancouver offence, they couldn’t get quality scoring chances over the final two periods and the Flames held on for the win.
The fact the Flames are one win from advancing to the second round has taken everyone by surprise, which is why this is so much fun. Everyone loves the story of the underdog, and this team, by all accounts should be out, but they live and die by the mantra: never quit.
Thursday in Vancouver, Game 5, GO FLAMES GO!
Notes: Sven Baertschi was in the building, and rumors were flying just before puck drop that he might get into the lineup.
Here are some post-game video highlights: