NEWSLETTER
This was a game the Calgary Flames absolutely, positively had to have. The definition of a must-win. Full marks to the Blackhawks for once again not being an easy win for a team in need; their effort most nights this season has been admirable. But the Flames crapped the bed in this one. There wasn’t much emotion from them on the ice and, while their shot totals were high, they didn’t get into the blue paint very often to make life harder on the Blackhawks. If I was a Flames fan I would start planning how I was going to spend my playoff money because it won’t be on game tickets after a night like tonight.
Star 1: Andreas Athanasiou
Athanasiou scored his 17th of the season in the first period, extending his personal goal streak to three straight games. He then scored his 18th early in the third period to give the Blackhawks the lead back. Athanasiou went 14 games between goals before this streak began, so it’s good to see him inching closer to the 20-goal mark in the closing days of his one-year contract.
Star 2: Petr Mrazek
The Blackhawks were out-shot 19-4 in the second period, but Mrazek allowed only one goal. Calgary’s third goal banked in off poor Ian Mitchell‘s skate. Mrazek played well enough to win the game, stopping 33 of 36 in the victory.
Star 3: Jonathan Toews
In his second game back from dealing with his health, Toews picked up another assist on Chicago’s first goal of the night. He won a tough board battle and started the play that ended with Athanasiou scoring his first goal of the night. Toews won seven of 17 faceoffs — including a huge win in the final 30 seconds of regulation — in almost 14 minutes of ice time.
