Calgary Flames
Flames’ Markstrom’s Return to Vancouver? So-So, So Far
When Jacob Markstrom signed with the Calgary Flames, he knew he’d play in Vancouver. So, how has he done upon his return to his past home?
After playing in a city and with an organization for seven seasons, it has to be tough to move away and make a home someplace else. But that’s what Jacob Markstrom did. During the offseason, he signed with the once-despised Calgary Flames.
Related: Canucks Looking to Trade Jake Virtanen, Flames an Option?
Sooner or Later, Markstrom Had to Return to His Former Home
As soon as that happened, it was inevitable that he’d come back to his old stomping grounds sooner or later. Well it happened on Thursday of last week. He had played against the Canucks in Calgary on January 16th and the 18th and had won both games. Perhaps playing in Vancouver would be a different thing. It wasn’t.
Game One: Markstrom Leads the Flames to a Win
Markstrom made 33 saves in Thursday’s 3-1 victory over the Canucks and finished with a .971 save percentage. He was about unbeatable. Another great performance put his overall record with the Flames at 7-3-1 with a season’s save percentage of .921 and a goals-against-average of 2.36. By winning this game, he also extended his own winning streak to three games.
Markstrom’s Return to Vancouver Different: No Fans
Markstrom was excited for his return to Vancouver, but he also noted that the main focus is on getting some wins against the Canucks. His first game back in Vancouver would have also likely had a different feel in any other year. Because of the pandemic, there won’t be any fans in the arena to react to his return.
Before the game, when Markstrom spoke about playing back home (sorry, his former home) in Vancouver, he noted how different the pandemic made this trip. On one hand, it was business as usual; on the other hand, it was quite different from playing if Rogers Arena were filled with fans.
As Markstrom put it, “It would have been business-like either way, we go there to play for two points. But I think, for sure, it would have been way more special and different with fans in the building. That’s changing things a little bit. But that’s been my home rink for a long time and to go back there, I’m excited.” (from “Return to Vancouver a ‘business trip’ for Flames goalie Markstrom,” Wes Gilbertson, Calgary Herald, 11/02/21).
Saturday Night Was Different: The Canucks Came to Play
The Flames also started Markstrom on Saturday night. He had another great game except for one thing – his team lost. He started the game with a 7-3-1 record, a goals-against-average of 2.36 and a .921 save percentage in 11 games on the season.
Clearly, Markstrom was the best Calgary player on the ice and he only let two of 45 shots past him. But those two goals were enough to beat him. The Canucks won the game 3-1 when Brandon Sutter scored into an empty net at the game’s end.
Markstrom couldn’t have played much better. The Canucks were almost overwhelming during the entire first period, and threw 20 shots at Markstrom. He made enough great saves to give the Flames a chance.
But his team had been overwhelmed and they could neither match Markstrom’s level of play nor compete. As a result, Markstrom’s record returning to Vancouver is so-so. Not his play, just the Flames’ results.
Markstrom improved his numbers except where it counted – his won-lost record, which dropped to 7-4-1.
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The Flames and the Canucks Meet Two More Times in the Next Three Days
Monday the Flames and Canucks meet again in Vancouver – no fans. Wednesday both teams move to Calgary to play their fourth game and the last game of their four-game mini-series.
The question right now isn’t whether Markstrom will show up; instead, it’s what Flames’ team will show up? And, in contrast, what Canucks’ team will Markstrom face?
If the Canucks’ team that showed up on Saturday night is the same team the Flames see on Monday, the entire team best amp up its game. It will take all Markstrom has to keep his new team in the victory column.
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