Calgary fell 2-1 in a shootout to the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, as the Flames finished off their pre-Christmas schedule.  It’s now losses in 5 of 6 games and 6 of 8 overall, as the Flames struggle with an extended slump for the first time this season.  Mark Giordano tied the game in the 3rd period off a faceoff win from Daymond Langkow, which sent this game to extra time.

It was a pretty hard fought game on both sides, as Brent Sutter pointed out following the game it was a game fought in the trenches.  I liked the effort from the Flames for the most part, as it wasn’t as if they played poorly in this hockey game.  In fact, there were times when the Flames were really effective and dangerous.  But there were also times when St. Louis was pretty darn effective…shots finished 27-24 in favor of the Blues.  Both goalies were fine as well and this was a game where both teams were just fine playing a close hockey game.

Calgary had a little bad puck luck, as there were some really quality scoring chances that they were unable to convert upon.  The only thing I really didn’t like in this game from a Flames perspective was the urgency to start the 3rd period.  They were down 1-0 and had managed just 2 shots on net around the midway mark of the final frame.  But they rectified that with the Giordano goal, and other than that, there were some things to like in this one for the Flames.

Interesting fact…there were 4 powerplays on the night, and yet between the 2 teams, there were just 2 shots on those man advantages.  They both came from the Flames while St. Louis didn’t manage 1 shot on net…in fact, they were -1 as the Flames had one shorthanded shot.  Calgary’s PP snapped their streak of 4 straight games with a goal, but in their last 5 games, Calgary’s powerplay has gone 4 for 13 at 30.8%.  The PK was perfect again for a 3rd straight game, in that span they’ve killed off 8 penalties successfully.

Calgary gets back in action Sunday, they take on the Canucks at the Dome.  Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Steinberg960.

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