There likely hasn’t been another time that Calgary Flames fans have been so excited but also nervous for their team in years.

Tomorrow night the Flames play their second game at home, and fourth game of the series against the Anaheim Ducks who have a 2-1 lead going in to the game.

Just a few days ago the Flames playoffs chances were nearly cut short by what appeared to be a good goal, waved off by the refs. I have to say - watching that game live was one hell of a feeling. I could (not) believe that the goal was disallowed and was (already) starting to gather thoughts for the blog to follow which would go on to discuss the (horrendous) call.

Thankfully for anyone not associated with the Ducks, the Flames managed to tie up the game anyways and win the damn thing in OT. Thankfully my readers didn’t have to read what I thought about the call as I didn’t have many words to express other than smashing my hand on the keyboard – not overly different from some of the blogs I’ve written (beat you to it!).

Anyhow, since a day or two has passed and just about all sports broadcasters have debated the “non-goal”, it is clear to me (now), that is was in fact the right call as if you watch the replay close enough, you can see that the puck was in fact a few inches off the ice surface which clearly changes the angles in direct relation to the goal line.

As I previously mentioned, the last game was a VERY big game for this team as not only did they avoid going down 3-0 in the series, but they also gained some confidence in knowing that the Ducks shield is actually penetrable, and that another win is within their reach!

Tomorrow, however, will be just as big. But for different reasons.

Heading back to Anaheim 3-1 is likely going to be the end of them; going to Anaheim tied up 2-2 could actually mean that this group has a shot! And let me say that the game last displayed which ended in a big win was a team that we have seen a heck lot more of than the team that showed up for the first two games.

Although this team has earned the motto “Never Quit”, the body language after the two first games seemed to offer a level of deflation from the players. It would have almost seemed after their two first games that the media and physical presence of the Ducks got to them…they no longer played (their) game, and rather tried to chase the Ducks as they controlled much of the play.

Their next game will be important for the Flames to use the momentum of their last win but also their home crowd to get in to the heads of the Ducks group. By sticking to their own game plan and strengths, Calgary can force the Ducks to take stupid penalties and try and get an early lead.

And if the first two games didn’t teach them anything about what they need to do in order to squeeze one passed Andersen, I certainly hope the third game did.

Get, in front, of the net.

Simple as that. They need to keep driving the net hard and play little spoon to their big spoon.

"NHL goalies are really good. If you don't screen, and if you don't create chaos around them, they're going to see the puck and most of the time they're going to stop it. The Flames did a better job of creating traffic Tuesday." - Frederic Chabot

The Flames organization also has a lot to be happy about as coach Bob Hartley was named one of three finalists for the 2014-15 Jack Adams award, along with Peter Laviolette of the Nashville Predators and Alain Vigneault of the New York Rangers.

Enjoy the game!

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