Calgary Flames Continue Dominance Over Arizona Coyotes

The Calgary Flames defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 on Thursday night. Arizona played really well again, but ran into a goalie on a hot streak and just couldn’t get the win.

The first period was definitely a slow one. Both teams played a cautious style trying to feel each other out. Arizona had a few good quality chances but couldn’t score.

Mike Smith was also tested early and he was good. He stopped all nine shots he faced in the period. Neither team was able to score and the period ended with the score knotted up at zero.

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The second period was a different story. Calgary opened the scoring not even two minutes in the period. They took a 1-0 lead, and control of the game for a while. They were able to consistently hold offensive zone pressure but couldn’t get shots on goal.

Despite Calgary’s good play, they were held to only four shots on goal for the entire period. Arizona was able to tie the game up on another Mikkel Boedker goal. Arizona stepped their game up a lot after that goal. They had a handful of great scoring opportunities, but Calgary’s goaltender, Joni Ortio stood on his head and kept Arizona to only the one goal. At the end of two, the game was tied and Arizona lead 21-12 for shots on goal.

Arizona continued to play well in the third, but Flames goaltender, Ortio, also continued to play well. He was the reason why the Flames were still in this game. Calgary was able to score on a broken play and took a 2-1 lead.

Arizona didn’t give up and Smith made some really great saves to keep the score close. Unfortunately, he and the rest of the team couldn’t keep Calgary out of the net forever.

The Flames scored late in the third to take a 3-1 lead. Calgary added an empty netter with Smith pulled.

Game Notes:

• Philip Samuelsson made his Coyotes debut.
• Martin Hanzal returned from injury.
• Shane Doan was out due to an undisclosed injury.
• Mikkel Boedker has scored five goals in his last four games.
• Calgary has beat Arizona for the fourth time this year.
• Arizona went 2-4-0 on the six-game homestand.

Goals:

Arizona Coyotes:

• Mikkel Boedker (14th)

Calgary Flames:

• Mikael Backlund (5th)
• David Jones (7th)
• Mark Giordano (11th)
• Sean Monahan (12th)

Three Stars:

1. David Jones
2. Sean Monahan
3. Mikael Backlund