Flames Defeat Jets in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers

The Calgary Flames defeat the Winnipeg Jets in game Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers with a score of 4-1. The Jets lead the series 1-0. The game was played at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Here’s a recap of game one between the Flames and Jets.

1st Period

This game was an all-Canadien battle meaning that the play was very physical real quick. It’s not as physical as the Battle of Alberta (Edmonton Oilers-Calgary Flames rivalry) but still a physical matchup. The Jets shot the game’s first seven shots on goal with Jets forward Andrew Copp scoring on their third shot on goal. Winnipeg still had control in this period until forward Mark Scheifele got a lower-body injury at the 14:22 mark. Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk collided onto Scheifele alongside the right boards in Calgary’s zone. With Scheifele out, the Flames were able to take charge and outshot the Jets 8-4.

Calgary went into the second period with a 1-0 lead.

2nd Period

Winnipeg never regrouped since Scheifiele’s departure and Calgary started to take over. The Flames scored three unanswered goals with two coming on the power play and one shorthanded goal. Flames forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Mikael Backlund scored on a power play and Tobias Rieder scored the shorthanded goal. The Jets tried to answer back but the Flames’ physical defense still had them rattled. Calgary continued to outshoot Winnipeg 18-6 for shots on goal.

Calgary extended their lead 4-1 heading into the third period.

3rd Period

With Calgary building most of the game’s momentum, Winnipeg was able to muster up some energy to fight back for most of this period. However, the Jets still couldn’t get the puck past Flames goaltender Cam Talbot. Also, Jets forward Patrik Laine got injured around the same time Scheifele did in the first period. Laine left the game with an apparent upper-body injury after battling with Flames defenseman Mark Giordano. Laine had incidentally made contact with Giordano that made Giordano fall to the ice. In the end, Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane scored an empty net goal extending the Flames lead to one.

Calgary won the game 4-1.

With Scheifele and Laine out, Winnipeg faces a challenge of playing without their top producing center and an elite scorer.

Three Stars of the Game

Third Star: Mikael Backlund (1 goal)

Second Star: Andrew Mangiapane (1 goal, 1 assist)

First Star: Johnny Gaudreau (1 goal)

Game two of the Flames-Jets series is on Aug. 3 at 2:30 pm EST.