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Flames Sweep Season Series Against Coyotes

By Guillermo Salcido

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Calgary continued their dominance over Arizona on Tuesday night as they defeated the Coyotes 3-2. The Flames swept the five-game season series over the Coyotes. The victory keeps Calgary in third place in the Pacific Division.

Due to consistent pressure on the offensive end by Calgary, Arizona was forced to go on the penalty kill twice within the first ten minutes. Although the Coyotes were able to kill off the first man advantage, they were unable to duplicate it and the Flames soon had a 1-0 lead.

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Dennis Wideman sent a slap shot from the point that was blocked by an Arizona defenseman. Unfortunately for the Coyotes, the rebound landed on the stick of quick-handed rookie Johnny Gaudreau, who scored his 23rd goal of the season. Gaudreau’s 62nd point of the season leads all NHL rookies.

The first period ended with Calgary in the middle of their third power play opportunity. Mike Smith stopped 17 of 18 shots fired at him in the first 20 minutes of play while the Coyotes were only able to test Jonas Hiller with seven shots, all of which he saved.

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After a slow pace for most of the second period, the Coyotes were able to tie the game with the aid of some of their depth skaters. After showing the physical effects of blocking shots, the Flames defenders were sluggish to get back on defense.

After a Craig Cunningham bid was blocked, the rebound found its way to B.J. Crombeen, who fluttered a shot past Hiller. The goal marked only Crombeen’s 3rd score of the season, while the lone assist to Cunningham was only his fourth helper of the season. The second period ended shortly after with the game deadlocked at two.

Apr 7, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Kris Russell (4) and Arizona Coyotes center Kyle Chipchura (24) battle for the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Calgary started things off fast in the third period and within the first two minutes, the Flames regained the lead. Michael Ferland sent a shot that Smith saved easily, but left a juicy a rebound. A rebound that David Jones would soon possess and send to the back of the net for a 2-1 Calgary lead.

A Jonas Hiller mistake allowed the Coyotes to tie the game at two a piece. In what was a dump in, Hiller grossly misplayed the puck to the stick of Kyle Chipchura. Chipchura then sent the puck toward Craig Cunningham who fired towards an empty net to knot the game up.

However, the tie wouldn’t last long. Sean Monahan took the puck into the offensive zone with serious speed. Monahan then proceeded to stop on a dime and let all oncoming skaters pass by only to snipe a shot past Smith to help the Flames regain a 3-2 lead.

The Calgary Flames were able to hold on the win after the last minute and a half was played with a 6-5 Arizona Coyotes man advantage via an empty net. One of the bigger developments in the game, however, was the news that Coyotes captain Shane Doan didn’t return to the game due to a lower body injury.

The defeat keeps the Coyotes only two points ahead of the 30th place Buffalo Sabres, with both teams having two games remaining. The victory allows the Flames to keep third place in the Pacific with 95 points and Los Angeles breathing down their necks.

The Arizona Coyotes (24-48-8) will continue their road-trip through Western Canada on Thursday when they head to Vancouver to take on the Canucks. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames (44-29-7) will play host to Los Angeles on Thursday for a showdown with the Kings.

Goals:

Arizona Coyotes:

  • B.J. Crombeen (3rd)
  • Craig Cunningham (3rd)

Calgary Flames:

  • Johnny Gaudreau (23rd)
  • David Jones (14th)
  • Sean Monahan (31st)

Three Stars

  1. Sean Monahan
  2. Matt Stajan
  3. Dennis Wideman
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