Instant Reaction: Flames can’t hold on against Jets

Second period shots were 13-12 Jets. 5v5 scoring chances were 7-3 Flames and high-dangers were 2-1 Flames.

The Jets tied things up in the third period on the power play. With Nazem Kadri in the box for high-sticking, a Neal Pionk point shot was redirected in front by Jonathan Toews to tie the game at 1-1. It was the 20th power play shot on goal for the Jets.

With five minutes left in regulation, the Jets took the lead. Hellebuyck made a save at one end of the ice and his teammates collected the puck and headed up ice. Kyle Connor set up Mark Scheifele with a nice pass for a redirect past Wolf to give the Jets a 2-1 lead.

The Flames pulled Wolf and tried to equalize this game, but the Jets held on for the 2-1 victory.

Third period shots were 12-6 Flames.

Why the Flames lost

Gang, this is what the Flames should look like when they’re on their game. Was this game a rip-roaring, end-to-end offensive extravaganza? Definitely not. Did the Flames get their chances? Sure! Did they defend well in front of Dustin Wolf? Sure! Did Wolf make some big stops? Sure! This was a tight-checking, low-scoring, grind-it-out affair. In other words: Flames hockey.

But the devil, as they say, is in the details. The Flames gave the Jets too many looks on the power play – including two too-many-men minors – and made just enough miscues at five-on-five that they were on the wrong side of the ledger yet again. This was a big step in the right direction for the Flames, but they don’t need moral victories – they need actual victories.

Red Warrior

We’ll give it to Dustin Wolf, who was superb in net for the Flames and gave his team a chance to win.

Turning point

The Jets scored the go-ahead goal with just 4:54 left in regulation. Considering how well the Flames played to that point, that had to feel like a gut punch for the home side.

This and that

Let’s be honest, everyone’s viewing attention was divided for the first two periods of this game as the Toronto Blue Jays faced the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. The ‘Dome crowd cheered pretty loudly when the game operations folks at the Saddledome replayed the final out of the game. Check out full coverage of the Jays’ ALCS victory – and their upcoming World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers – over at Blue Jays Nation!

After Burner

Join Cami Kepke and Dean “Boomer” Molberg right after the game for After Burner!

Up next

The Flames (1-6-0) are back in action on Wednesday night when they host the Montreal Canadiens.