It’s always interesting to see how a team responds from an embarrassing home loss, and a complete character questioning by their blood boiled coach.
Historically the Flames haven’t done all that well in proving a point in such situations, but that just wasn’t the case in an afternoon tilt in Los Angeles with the Flames dominating; skating away with a 5-2 win.
On The Line
You wouldn’t think the Flames have actually had a good start to their season with the rain clouds hanging over the city the past couple of days. A dismantling by the Hawks had every player traded in fan’s minds in the last 48 hours setting the stage for the Flames to attempt a bounce back in Hollywood. How would they respond? Would they reward a steamed head coach that surprised many by not bag skating the team on Friday?
The Flow
As is often the case this year the Flames score very early, this time just 13 seconds in when Jarome Iginla fired home his first of three on the night. From there the Flames continued to control the play but came up empty on a couple of powerplay chances.
The second featured a quick burst by the Kings, scoring twice in half a minute to take the lead and put the Flames back on their heels. A few minutes later a great slap pass by Jay Bouwmeester to Iginla gave the captain his second and tied the game on a two man advantage.
The Flames came to play in the third, dominating the 20 minute set and scoring three times to salt things away. Probably about as complete a road game as the 1-0 win in Montreal earlier this month.
Three Stars
1. Jarome Iginla: What a month … three on the night, 15 on the season and his 9th career hat trick to set the pace for the Flames.
2. Drew Doughty: Was really surprised to see how composed this kid was at the Canadian Red/White game at the Dome in September. He continues to apply that composure to his second season. Picked up a goal and an assist in 30 seconds in the second.
3. Jay Bouwmeester: Two assists, but it was his penalty killing and air tight play in his own zone that made his night a strong one.
Big Save
In the third period with the Flames up a goal Quick flipped out a pad to stone Jamie Lundmark on a close in rebound chance. The save was solid and all, but it was the timing that mattered the most. Without that save Iginla wouldn’t have solved in 20 seconds later for his hat trick goal.
Big Hit
Lots of good hits in this one, but none better than Cory Sarich standing up Wayne Simmonds in the first period when the big King went fishing for the puck in his skates.
The Goat
The Kings and their undisciplined play cost them in this one with the Flames having seven man advantage opportunities plus scoring short handed..
Mr. Clutch
Craig Conroy. Poor guy still hasn’t scored a goal but was tough on the puck, great on the forecheck, and deadly shorthanded in Los Angeles. Has had his role diminished this season, but has taken on said role without complaint.
Odds and Ends
Start to finish a very impressive hockey game for the Flames. I’ve said it on the radio a few times, but it is a process and one that wasn’t going to be solved in October or November. Personally I think Kiprusoff’s excellent goaltending has given the team a great start and probably masked a lot of so so play for the club to start the season. The debacle against Chicago was a perfect tear it down opportunity for Sutter, something that often has to happen in order to build a new team back up on a stronger foundation. Today was a very impressive first step forward for a team striving for more consistency. … Thought the Nystrom/Prust/Sjostrom line was an excellent mix for a fourth or energy line. None of them have goal scoring hands, but they do have great cycle mitts which really burns out defensemen and leaves the other three lines with momentum to carry forward…. Didn’t think Dion Phaneuf had a great game for Calgary, probably one of the only guys that didn’t. … Mark Giordano and Adam Pardy were solid in their own zone, Giordano a devil on the rush and the pinch. …. Good to see that powerplay moving around again, and getting results. Don’t think it was planned, but the Dman swap that gave Iginla his second was a good touch on the fly. They need to get back to that rotating umbrella again. Do it Lowry!
Next Up
Monday Night the Flames take on the Ducks in Anaheim. Game time 8pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Lundmark – Jokinen – Iginla
Dawes – Langkow – Moss
Conroy – Boyd – Glencross
Sjostrom – Nystrom – Prust
Regehr – Phaneuf
Sarich – Bouwmeester
Pardy – Giordano
Kiprusoff
