Hockey is such a funny game sometimes. The Calgary Flames arrived in the wee hours of Toronto this morning, thinking they probably let a point get away in Buffalo just a few hours earlier. Though both teams played well, the Flames had 3 consecutive PP chances in the second period, any one of which if they had capitalized on, would of probably secured the victory. So coming into the back half of a two-in-two on the road, you knew they would be looking to close the deal against the bottom lurking Toronto Maple leafs in the 2nd part of a CBC triple header Saturday.
On The Line
More than anything else, a real test of how far the Sutter message has been ingrained into the collective heads of those in his charge. After a stellar final 40 minutes in upstate New York Friday night, did the team have the mentality to keep it up against another team that had played the previous night? It’s a very hard way to play the game, but a necessary one if they want long-term and consistent success. Also, depending on what happens in the Avs/Nucks tilt, staying in touch with the surprise of the year team ahead of them.
The Flow
Calgary came out flying and in the space of the first 97 seconds, had a 2-0 lead, had the home town ACC crowd stunned, made the “monster” look scary in a bad way, and had me thinking to myself….”oh-oh”. Whatever it is with this club, and i have no idea what at this point, the are just not adept at thriving in success. It was almost inevitable that the Leafs would fight back a bit, but the Flames just laid down for the most part and it got ugly. Though the shots were only 10-7 after 20 minutes, the ice seemed tilted the wrong way for Flames supporters after the 10 minute mark and yet another goal to re-assume a 2 goal lead. Though it must be noted that both teams were giveaway and turnover machines all period long. Extremely sloppy play both ways early on.
The second period was even worse as the Leafs dominated Calgary in every area of the ice. Scoring on a PP in the first 5 minutes, the Leafs took control and made the Flames look like they didn’t have a clue as to what was going on. If not for the heroics of #34, this game would of been over after 40 minutes, and not for the visitors. Outshot 20-4, outhit by a large margin, out-muscled in every part of the game, the Flame may be the single luckiest bunch all year to head into the 3rd period with a lead.
The third was a much much better road period, and in fact the Flames were the better team when thy started to move their feet and impose their will. Scoring early to restore the 2 goal lead and then putting it away with a late PP goal.
Three Stars
1. Mikka Kiprsoff.: Who else? Singlehandedly allowed Calgary to walk away with two points on the night with 38 saves on 40 shots, and many of the tough variety in that he was screened for a good portion of the game. The guy is in a zone that most goaltenders rarely get too. It’s pretty amazing to witness.
2. Francois Beauchemin: A Gordie Howe hat-trick for the former Duck rearguard, and part of a Toronto defense that was hard on Flames forwards all night. Love the way this guy plays the game and he could be a big part in the Leaf re-build, as he is the type of guy who does nothing spectacularly but does everything well….even though his +/- took a whack on the night.
3 – Jarome Iginla. Captain Calgary was the one forward on the Flames tonight who won the majority of his board and position battles…nevermind his two howitzer shots that found the twine behind two different Toronto goalers. He has that look about him again, you know the one where he says “OK boys, jump on my back and let’s go!” When your coach comes down the bench to you, wraps an arm around the shoulder right before a late PP and says “OK kid, showtime, lets put this thing away”, and you go out and get it done….you are a special player and every bit worthy of the praises heaped upon you.
Big Save
Miikka Kiprusoff robbed Alexei Ponikarovsky point blank with 16 minutes left in the third. on the same play the Flames received a penalty which they went on to kill and really allowed them to coast the rest of the way.
Big Hit
There were a few big ones tonight, though the Flames were on the receiving end of most. McGrattan’s nose lost to Orr’s fist. Jamal Mayers on Adam Pardy which then resulted in the latter taking a delay of game penalty trying to rid himself of the puck. However, the winner is Francois Beauchemin who absolutely blew up Freddy Sjostrom right at the Flames blueline when the Swede was coming out with his head down.
The Goat
Yeesh. This one is hard to really describe, but the horns go to the Calgary Flames psyche, especially when they get an early lead. There was absolutely no reason this game should have ever been close after their start, yet once again they let the other team right back into it without much of a fight. This is something that has to change. Very troubling.
Mr. Clutch
Just can’t be said enough and it seems like it comes from the Department of Redundancy Department, but Mikka Kiprusoff is directly responsible for allowing this club to have a record of 12-4-2, and more specifically a raod record of 6-1-2. Those are stellar numbers, never mind the .950 save% on the night and clearly stealing a game the team had little chance of winning otherwise.
Odds and Ends
Brent Sutter looked like he was going to have a stroke at times tonight with his anger at his own team and without a doubt he peeled some paint off the locker room walls between the 2nd and 3rd periods. Whatever he said, it had an effect…….Regehr and Phaneuf were both a +4 on the night while Iginla was a +3…..The life of an NHl enforcer is a difficult one to say the least. McGrattan did his job though and that is the very reason why he is on this team…..Nystrom played almost 19 minutes on the night while Bouwmeester was high man on the night with a nifty 24 1/2 on the backend……Phil kessel lead both teams with 6 SOG, but only played 14+ minutes. He is a player though and a nice addition………..at the time of this writing it appears the Flames will arrive back in town only 1 pt out of 1st place in the NW as the Canucks are smoking the Avs 3-0 after a period…..Olli Jokinen looks like a guy completely lost as to how to shake the monkey off his back., though it was great to see him defend Sjostroms shellacking…..2 other guys that i see as struggling and have to be better, Dawes and Pardy……This team missed Curtis Glencross and his defense first mentality….5 out of 6 points on a 3 game roadie is almost as good as one could hope for, and that whole only giving up 3 goals in that space of time is even better.
Next Up
Tuesday night at the ‘Dome in a probable first place battle against the Av’s. 7:30 MDT.
Lines (To Start):
Sjostrom – Jokinen – Iginla
Dawes – Langkow – Bourque
Glencross – Conroy – Nystrom
McGrattan – Boyd – Prust
Regehr – Phaneuf
Giordano – Bouwmeester
Sarich – Pardy
