Flames Defeat Canucks 7-4, Advance to Round Two

If you weren’t tuned into game 6 between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, then you most certainly missed out. With the Flames having a 3-2 lead going into game 6, a win was necessary in order for Calgary to win the series without a game 7.

The first period didn’t look promising, after the Flames starting goaltender Jonas Hiller gave up two goals in 7:32 of the first period. A goaltender change so early in the game is usually not ideal, but the Flames gave backup Karri Ramo the net. He made 17 saves on 19 shots. A mere one goal from Michael Ferland in the first for the Flames wasn’t enough to get close to the Canucks lead. Ferland had two goals and two assists in the first round against the Canucks.

The second period was much more positive in favor of the Flames. The young guns had their hand at offensive production with a goal from Sean Monahan and a tying goal from Johnny Gaudreau. These two have been huge factors in the Flames regular season, and have proven themselves to be key assets to the team. A later goal from the Canucks Luca Sbisa broke the tie and once again challenged the Flames ability to win.

Third period was total domination for the Flames. A power play goal by Jiri Hudler tied things at 4-4, with the assits from “the boys” or Sean Monahan and Johnny Hockey. With under 5 minutes left in the third, the Flames got their first lead of the game. Things drastically went down from there for Vancouver as they took out their goaltender Ryan Miller in hope that the additional forward would help tie the game. After the first empty-net goal (6-4) from Hudler, the Canucks still had hope with less than a minute left. Leaving their goaltender out dug them even deeper into a hole, and with their 7-4 lead, the Flames skated off to the second round, while the Canucks were left in the dust.

“I’ve never been a part of a team like this. We never quit.” – Michael Ferland pic.twitter.com/9TK43f3vcU

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) April 26, 2015

Once again, the Flames blocked shot count has been out of control. 23 blocked shots throughout the game. Deryk Engelland had 10, and the closest person to him was Kris Russell with 5. This is a huge part of Calgary’s game, and it is just one example of how excellent the Flames defense is.

The Calgary Flames will now move onto the second round against the Anaheim Ducks. Game information is to be determined at a later time.