WINGS POSTGAME: Flames smother Wings 4-2
4 years ago
On the eve of the trade deadline, the Wings hosted the Flames on their Hockey Is For Everyone night. Athanasiou and Green were scratched for “asset management” before puck drop since the previously mentioned deadline is tomorrow at 3 with the possibly they get moved.
The Flames desperately needed two points to keep them alive in the playoff push; they’re on the outside looking in with Nashville, Winnipeg, and Arizona notched for the 2 wild card spots in the West. Two early goals kept them in the lead for the entire game, eventually closing it out with a win despite Larkin’s mutli-goal performance.
Thoughts and Highlights
- It didn’t take long for Calgary’s stars to break out. Gaudreau’s 16th of the season is a well executed snipe over Bernier a little past 6 minutes into the first. Shortly after, Monahan’s rebound puts the visitors up 2-0 before the period is even halfway over.
- Larkin cuts the lead in half though with a beauty of a goal, protecting the puck and driving to the net after picking up the bank pass from Perlini. Nemeth gets the additional assist and it’s a one shot game.
- A competitive second period was spoiled with Calgary’s third goal with only 10.6 seconds left. Mantha indirectly tips the puck, sending it off Mangiapane’s shin pad and into the net, making it 3-1 Flames.
- Detroit started the third with their first power play of the night but to no avail. They controlled much of the third and successfully killed off Calgary’s second power play before heading to a man advantage of their own. Some missed nets and goal posts later, still no score change despite the great chances.
- Larkin makes it a one shot game again, taking the puck to the blue line and throwing it on net through traffic.
- Wings lose 4-2 after Mangiapane’s empty netter despite a decent effort for portions of the game.
- Final shots: 31-29 Calgary
Gif of the Game
When you realize this could be the last time Athanasiou is inside LCA as a Wing.
Motor City MVP
Now sitting at 17 goals and 45 points of the season, Larkin is having himself a respectable season on a team deeply challenged for scoring goals. He had some of the best chances of the night and cashed in twice. He’s also got 23 points in 26 games, setting up a good pace for himself for the last quarter of the season.
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