For some reason the Calgary Flames can beat the Minnesota Wild. They aren’t particularly good against teams with a better record, but the Wild, they swept the season series. Here’s the post-game.

Coming off the All-Star break the Flames have a light schedule for the first half of February. They’ll have to win the few games they have, and watch the standings as teams like LA and St Louis pick up steam and games in hand.

Tonight the Flames from November showed up, the team that kept their forecheck and feet moving, won puck battles, good goaltending, special teams making a difference, all the things you need to win consistently.

Some thoughts:

  • Dennis Wideman is a joke. Flames’ could’ve packed it in after he caused two goals. Just a horrid player. Not only the #widemaneffect is haunting the Flames. Clear as day high sticks to the face casually missed by the refs. Bench minor to the Flames’ for voicing their displeasure. Hard to watch at times.
  • Brian Elliot is coming into form and that’s good news. I hope he keeps it up.
  • Sean Monahan does nothing spectacular, other than score goals.
  • New line combos were working out, and thank goodness Chiasson is finally of the top line. He along with Widemans’ consistent play are still mind boggling coaching decisions.
  • The FLames had push back and made the Wild pay on the powerplay. THey had a bit of edge which is what’s been missing as of late.