It would be so easy to start a game story like this with an all caps statement like “THEY LOST TO THE ISLANDERS?”, but there’s a saying about glass houses and casting stones; therefor the 14th place Flames don’t have the luxury of looking past anyone.
But they did.
The hockey game was lost with 17 terrible minutes of hockey in the first period, as the Flames fought hard to right a terrible wrong but came up short losing 5-2 to the New York Islanders.
On The Line
A real bona-fide win streak! Four in a row and looking to make it five before travelling to Vancouver for the ultimate litmus test on Wednesday. Are these guys for real?
The Flow
Despite what you’re likely to read elsewhere the Flames actually came out on the right foot against the Islanders, had two solid shifts and three scoring chances. From there is where things got ugly. A penalty, a quick Tavares powerplay goal and the Flames couldn’t recover their legs in the first period. David Moss cuts the lead back to 2-1 before yet another Tavares goal gives the Islanders all they’d need.
The Islanders add to it in the second, but then the Flames mount a charge after Dipietro leaves with his 38th injury of his 14 year contract. Calgarian Nathan Lawson enters the cage and gets hung out to dry by the visitors looking to sit on a lead. David Moss cuts the lead to 4-2 midway through the second, and the Flames could have easily scored four more if not for inept finish and Lawson standing on his head.
The third isn’t quite as one sided but close as the Flames pile on the shots again but fail to get any closer. The Isles put it away with an empty netter.
Three Stars
1. John Tavares: Two absolute snipes in the first period to get his club rolling on all cylinders.
2. Nathan Lawson: If not for his work the Islanders would have found a way to lose this game.
3. David Moss: Two goals and could have had four.
The Save
With the score 4-2 for the Islanders David Moss got a great rebound chance and flipped the puck back into a pile of humanity only to have Lawson doing a Hasek and keeping it out of the net.
The Hit
John Tavares took the puck behind the Flames cage in the second only to get run noggin first into the dasher by Jay Bouwmeester. Ouch!
The Goat
The whole damn team for their performance in the latter 80% of the first period. They were all bad. Brutal.
Mr. Clutch
Tom Kotsopolous for fighting the Islanders tough guy from a way over matched position and faring well, then being part of the Flames fourth line that scored both goals on the evening.
Odds and Ends
In past seasons not getting up for a game against the Islanders made sense from the Flames playoff perch, but this season? Four in a row is a great little run and it makes things interesting but it shouldn’t create a resting on your laurels start like that. More proof that there is something very wrong with the leadership of this hockey team … Was pointed out tonight that the Flames first line is creeping back to that offense first mentality by leaving the zone early, or before Flames possession. How can that work in a Brent Sutter dressing room? Sit them down! … Really like Jackman, what a signing. … Actually like Kotsopolous and Babchuk too, not bad for Darryl Sutter’s last trade. … Heard a rumour that Robyn Regehr has waived his no trade clause, but the rumour is without validated source so everyone relax! …
Next Up
Wednesday night the Flames travel to Vancouver to take on the Canucks; 8pm Sportsnet
Lines:
Tanguay – Jokinen – Iginla
Hagman – Stajan – Bourque
Glencross – Morrison – Kotalik
Kostopoulos – Moss – Jackman
Regehr – Bouwmeester
Giordano – Sarich
Babchuck – Pardy
Karlsson
