In seasons past, whenever the team from the nation’s capital came to Calgary you knew the game would be a doozy. Ottawa has been one of the hottest tickets in town during the last decade, being able to put a high-flying team on the ice every year. This time, it was a little different. There wasn’t nearly as much buzz and excitement for this game, as the Senators stumbled in to Calgary with an embarrassing 12-15-5 record, good for dead last in the Northeast division.
They left the same way they entered, with their tails tucked deeply between their legs.
On The Line
Not much on the line, but the Flames want to keep the ashes burning while they are hot. Calgary is fresh off a big pre-Christmas win against the Ducks, and looking to let the good times roll into the new year. Since the much publicized San Jose debacle in November, Calgary has put together a 10-3-3 record vaulting them into sole possession of first place in the Northwest division. Ottawa had lost 10 straight road games coming into tonight, so getting that monkey off their back was their main objective.
The Flow
The first period was fairly even, with both teams trading some chances. Calgary seemed the more cohesive unit, despite the shot totals favoring Ottawa after the frame, 11-9.
The second period got off to a rocky start for the home team, as Chris Phillips fired a shot from the point that found its way past a screened Kiprusoff and in to the back of the net to stake the Senators out to a 1-0 lead. It got worse before it got better for Calgary, as Jason Spezza picked up a loose puck and fired a laser beam over Kiprusoff’s shoulder and just under the crossbar to give the Sens a 2 goal lead. Calgary pressed hard after that goal, buzzing around the Ottawa zone for about 2 minutes until Rene Bourque wrapped-around the net and found some space between Auld and the post to get Calgary on the scoreboard. Ottawa then collapsed, as Calgary found the net 2 more times in the next 2:06 with goals by Bourque and Roy, and Calgary went into the dressing room with a 3-2 lead.
The Flames went in to “protect the lead” mode in the 3rd period, until Alexandre Picard floated one in from the point at 8:15 that fooled Kiprusoff to tie the game at 3. Calgary would answer right back, as just 44 seconds later Mike Cammalleri beautifully set-up Adrian Aucoin for a one-timer that beat Auld over the shoulder. The Flames didn’t let up this time, and got an insurance goal from Rene Bourque and an empty netter from Todd Bertuzzi to put the exclamation point on a game dominated by the home team.
Three Stars
1. Rene Bourque: Easy pick. Notched his first career hat-trick and was simply the best player on the ice all game. I had no idea this guy was that dangerous with the puck. Was also a +3.
2. Daymond Langkow: Notched 2 assists, including Bourque’s hat-trick goal, and was a +3.
3. Adam Pardy: Maybe his best game as a Flame. 1 assist, +2, almost 20 minutes of ice time. He reminds me of Robyn Regehr, and that’s good.
Big Save
In the 2nd period with Calgary down a goal, Kiprusoff looked down and out as Spezza had the puck beside the net. But he made himself as big as possible and got his left pad out as Spezza tried to put the puck upstairs.
Big Hit
Corey Sarich blasted Nick Foligno in to the boards. Foligno turned into the hit at the last second making it look dirtier than it was, and Sarich was penalized for it.
The Goat
Ottawa. The players, the coaches… they simply collapsed after getting the 2 goal lead. Also, Jarku Ruutu had a chance to touch the puck on a delayed Ottawa penalty, but fell down instead, leading to the Aucoin goal which stood up as the game winner. Had Jarku touched that puck, it might have been a different story.
Mr. Clutch
Rene Bourque. I don’t understand why Chicago didn’t want this guy. This guy is on overdrive all the time. If they tracked scoring chances as a stat in the NHL, I am sure he would be leading the league.
Odds and Ends
Calgary fired 20 shots on goal in the 3rd period, finishing the night with a 42-30 edge. Mike Cammalleri and Rene Bourque led the way with 7 shots apiece. Dion Phaneuf led the way with a quiet 28:04. This was a rare game where you didn’t really notice Dion, good or bad. Eric Nystrom and Cody Bass had a spirited tilt in the 1st period, with Nystrom taking the decision and Bass hurting his shoulder/Upper body. I am really curious as to what will happen when James Vandermeer comes back from injury. The way Pardy is playing right now, I like his game more than Vandermeer’s. It is more suited to a shut-down defensive style, which Calgary needs and thrives on.
Rene Bourque might just be my new favorite player.
Next Up
Calgary waits for Minnesota to come to the dome for a Monday night match up with the Wild. Game time is 7 PM and you can catch all the action on Sportsnet West, or the Fan 960.
Lines (To Start):
Cammalleri – Lombardi – Iginla
Bertuzzi- Langkow – Bork!
Sutter – Conroy – Moss
Nystrom – Boyd – Roy
Phaneuf – Pardy
Regehr – Aucoin
Sarich – Giordano
Kiprusoff
