Ugh. What else can I say after the Flames came out and handed Chicago game 5 on a silver platter.
Sure it would be a huge dis-respect to say that the Blackhawks didn’t earn the win in game 5… but Calgary pretty much laid down and said, “Here. We won’t really play defense, or hit you like we did in games 1-4. Just take as many shots as you can in the first period… ’cause we won’t take more than 3. If you can win it in the first, go ahead and do it cause your fans want you to.”
Really. It was a playoff letdown of monumental proportions for the Calgary Flames tonight as they had a chance to put the Blackhawks back on their heels with a solid performance tonight. Before the game, all Flames fans imagined heading home with a 3-2 series lead. Instead they allowed 3 goals in 1 minute 49 seconds and the game was over before the first 20 minutes had ended.
The Flames now need to win game 6 at home on Monday and game 7 back in Chicago (where they have not won a game all season) or it’s another first-round exit for them again.
Count on them to put up a good fight at home again. I’m just not sure they’ll have it on the road in game 7 *if necessary.
Greg is the founder of Red Mile Blog has been following the Flames through good times and bad since they arrived in Calgary in the early 80s. He has written hundreds of articles on the Flames since 2005 and considers himself an expert on hockey inconsistency and frustration. He shoots right and usually plays defence, but has been known to jump up in the rush. He is a 2-time CAHL men's league champion and knows the sweet taste of beer from a Cup.
