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Nashville Predators 3, Calgary Flames 1: PK (Not That One, The Other One) Comes Up Big

Posted on by Alex Daugherty

The Nashville Predators won a key home game over the Calgary Flames by a score of 3-1 tonight. Calle Jarnkrok, Colton Sissons, and Ryan Ellis scored for the Predators, while Pekka Rinne had 24 saves

Not a whole lot happened in the first period. Both teams were testing the waters to some degree. The Flames had two power plays to work with, but the Preds prevented any scoring (this would be a theme). Dougie Hamilton hit a couple of posts. Filip Forsberg had a couple chances, but that was about it. The Flames had a 9-7 edge in shots, but neither team scored.

That changed in the 2nd period. The Predators got this party started when Calle Jarnkrok roofed a shot by Chad Johnson just after a Nashville power play had ended. So it was 1-0. Then Colton Sissons scored about three minutes later after Colin Wilson deked around a bunch of dudes in front of the net. It was 2-0.

But Calgary answered. Hamilton scored on a pass from Michael Ferlund to make it 2-1. After that, the Predators committed three penalties in the final 10 minutes of the 2nd period, leading to three Flames power plays. The Flames were right back in it.

Somehow the Preds kept the Flames from scoring on the man advantage, but they still had to battle hard in the 3rd period to maintain a one goal lead. There were plenty of chances at both ends. At one point, Chad Johnson was completely out of the goal and the puck was free, but the Preds couldn’t get a stick on the puck as it caromed around the crease.

But then Ryan Ellis scored his 15th goal of the year to make it 3-1. Laser beams. Rocket ships.

From there, the Flames worked some nice chances, but Rinne held strong to maintain the win. The Preds only generated a handful of chances in this game—only 17 shots on the night—but they did what it took to win.

Nice.

Random Observations

  • Preds kill a penalty early on. The defense and forwards worked well together, shifting over and recovering when needed.
  • Not much of anything happened in the first 8 minutes. Shot attempts and shots were about even. The Flames had a power play that went nowhere. Dougie Hamilton hit the post. I yawned twice.
  • Arvidsson hitting the scoreboard with the puck is fun thing that happened. (And he broke it!)
  • For real, like they had to fix the scoreboard during the 1st intermission. Haha.
  • CALLE!! Craig Smith finds Jarny in the middle of the ice (where?) and he roofs it by Johnson.
  • That goal has brought life back into the building. It was getting pretty quiet.
  • Again!! Sissons with the finish, but man oh man, Colin with some great puck work in front.
  • … and the momentum is halted by a Flames goal. Hamilton scores after the Preds can’t get the puck out of their own zone.
  • Now the Preds can’t stay out of the box. What happened here? Preds were up 2-0 and had all the momentum. Flames got back into this thing pretty easily.
  • The penalties are starting to get ridiculous. 5-1 on the Preds now.
  • Finally, a call on the Flames. Preds get a power play. But of course they don’t score. 1 for their last 13 with the man advantage.
  • YES. Ryan Ellis with a huge goal to make it 3-1.
  • Flames had a ton of mojo going, but the Preds take it right back.
  • Awesome job everyone, thanks for winning. /

OTF’s Super Duper Three Stars of the Game

  1. Pekka Rinne: 24 saves and came up big in key spots.
  2. Colin Wilson: two big assists. April is calling, my friend.
  3. Viktor Arvidsson: BROKE. THE. SCOREBOARD.

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