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NHL Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames Need To Transfer Third Period Momentum To San Jose

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Calgary Flames First Period Struggles

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Calgary Flames’ first period struggles continued in Tuesday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, giving up the first goal less than five minutes into the game. There are a couple things coach Bob Hartley needs to address before playing the second of back-to-back games on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. 

It’s tough to bounce back from an early goal against as a player. You come into the game with lots of energy and excitement, but when you get scored on early you feel instantly deflated. The Flames have proven to be a team that can bounce back, but they can’t wait for the third period to do it. Mentally you have to put the goal against behind you and focus on the next play — a task easier said then done. But if Calgary shakes off an early mishap then they won’t have to scramble in the last five minutes for three goals.

On Tuesday against Anaheim, Calgary was ineffective on the power play as they were unable to convert in four opportunities. With the NHL becoming more aware of the skill the Flames have on the blue-line, it will continue to be more difficult to score. Hartley’s coaching ability and creativity will be put to the test as he will be forced to make adjustments to how teams are defending the Flames. Scoring with the man advantage can really shift the momentum and is something the Flames would benefit from, especially when they find themselves down early.

In the face-off circle, Calgary lost more than half of the draws. Winning the face-off allows a team to dictate the play and strike offensively. With Calgary’s young group of center-men, face-offs will have to be an area of improvement for the rest of the season. It’s hard to win a draw in the NHL, but it’s even harder when the guy you are going against has done it a thousand more times than you and he’s stronger than you. Expect this to be one of the things that gets better for guys like Sean Monahan as the season, and their careers, progress.

Calgary gets right back at it when they play San Jose on Wednesday night. A benefit of the back-to-back games is you get the opportunity to improve right away. Calgary needs to start the game aggressively to try and put the pressure on the Sharks early. The Flames carried the momentum for the last five minutes of the game against Anaheim, and if they can transition that into San Jose, they’ll have a good chance of being victorious.

Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google. 

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