Calgary Flames (4) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (2): David Rittich & Flames Hang On For Win

Calgary Flames 4 – Columbus Blue Jackets 2

Complete Stats

Recap

The Flames came into this contest with an eight game losing streak to Columbus at home, but that skid is no more thanks to some big time stops by David Rittich and some timely offence by the Flames.

Calgary would find themselves down 1-0 early after a slow start thanks to a Zach Werenski goal, but the Flames would strike back quickly off the stick Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau would settle in the slot and fire home a wrist shot to get the Flames even at 1-1. Andrew Mangiapane would put home his 5th of the season late in the first period on a highlight reel goal that would put the Flames ahead for good at 2-1. Michael Frolik and Matthew Tkachuk would finish off the scoring for Calgary as they would down the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2.

Calgary struggled at times in the game and were barely hanging on. They had a very lackluster third period where Columbus applied most of the pressure, out shooting the Flames 12-6 in the final frame. One of the few reasons the Flames were able to hang on was the strong play of David Rittich. Rittich wasn’t tested much early in the contest, but he faced 24 shots over the final two periods, surrendering only one goal.

Scoring

Flames

1st: 12:44- Gaudreau (35) (Ryan/Czarnik), 19:52- Mangiapane (5) (Jankowski/Czarnik)

2nd: 00:35- Frolik (15) (Brodie)

3rd: 19:09- (Empty Net) Tkachuk (33) (Backlund/Frolik)

Blue Jackets

1st: 10:25- Werenski (11) (Panarin)

2nd: None

3rd: 5:28- Bjorkstrand (15) (Anderson/Werenski)

Final Thoughts

The Flames play was up and down in this game and you have to figure part of that was not having Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett in the lineup. Both players were listed as game time decisions, but they did not play tonight.

The Flames had a scary moment in this game when Noah Hanifin had to leave the game for a few. The Flames defenceman went down to block a shot and the shot ended up hitting him in the back of the head. He did return after a brief trip to the dressing room and he finished the rest of the game.

Flame Of The Game

Austin Czarnik (C): Austin Czarnik sure knows how to make the most of his time in the lineup. The Flames centre had two assists on the night, three shots on goal and was 100% at the face off dot.

What’s Next?

3/21: Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators, 7 PM MT

by Mark Parkinson