Calgary 4, Columbus 2
When: 9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Referees:
Brad Meier, Dean Morton
Linesmen:
Kiel Murchison, Vaughan Rody
Attendance:
18288
By Field Level Media
Michael Frolik scored the winning goal in a two-point night, and goalie David Rittich was sensational while making 31 saves as the host Calgary Flames claimed a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
The Flames (45-21-7, 97 points) moved three points ahead of the San Jose Sharks for top spot in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
While Rittich had incredible fortune on his side with the Blue Jackets ringing four pucks off iron, he was outstanding all game, including a one-sided third period in which he stopped 11 shots.
Calgary, which has won four of its past five games, needed nearly 13 minutes to get a shot on goal in the third period.
The key offensive damage came just before and just after the first intermission.
With the score tied 1-1, Andrew Mangiapane put the hosts ahead with eight seconds remaining in the first period. Mark Jankowski sent a pass that the rookie quickly received, and Mangiapane spun a backhander into the cage for his fifth goal of the season.
Then Frolik made it a 3-1 game just 35 seconds into the second period with a highlight-reel goal. He gained the puck at full speed at the blue line, zipped around defender Seth Jones and then converted a backhand tally.
Oliver Bjorkstrand pulled the visitors within a goal with a power-play marker 5:28 into the third period, but Matthew Tkachuk's empty net goal with 51 seconds remaining iced the game.
The clubs traded first-period goals before Mangiapane's go-ahead tally.
Columbus' Zach Werenski opened the scoring 10:25 into the affair. He created a turnover in the neutral zone and was sprung by Artemi Panarin on an odd-man rush before working down the wing and then snapping home a shot.
However, Johnny Gaudreau responded for the Flames just 2:19 later with his 35th of the season, ripping a glove-side shot into the cage when left alone in the slot.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves for Columbus (40-29-4, 84 points). The Blue Jackets hold the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, sitting one point ahead of the Montreal Canadiens.
--Field Level Media
Top Game Performances
| Columbus |
|
Calgary |
|
Zach Werenski 2 |
Points |
Michael Frolik 2 |
|
Zach Werenski 1 |
Goals |
Michael Frolik 1 |
|
Zach Werenski 1 |
Assists |
Austin Czarnik 2 |
|
Oliver Bjorkstrand 1 |
Power Play Goals |
N/A |
|
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
|
Sergei Bobrovsky .900 |
Save Percentage |
David Rittich .939 |
|
Sergei Bobrovsky 27 |
Saves |
David Rittich 31 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
| Columbus
|
33 |
2 |
1-3 |
1-1 |
7 |
25 |
| Calgary
|
31 |
4 |
0-1 |
2-3 |
11 |
39 |
Upcoming Games
-
Calgary will play their next game at home against Ottawa. The Flames have a W/L % of .636 after a win and .586 after a loss.
-
Columbus will play their next game on the road against Edmonton. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .450 after a win and .667 after a loss.
For more information, contact us