The suddenly Sutterized Calgary Flames headed into Buffalo on Friday night in an attempt to prove that football hi-jinx on AstroTurf and a few laughs is the perfect tonic in game preparation.
Maybe they should keep it on the ice.
An ice cold start, well that is after scoring on the first shift, put the Flames behind the eight ball in a game that finished 2-1 for the host Sabres in a shoot out, but not before both teams were front and center in proving their records thus far this season are far from a flash in the pan.
The Flames voyage into Toronto tonight for a dreaded back to back game in the hopes of taking a five points in three road games back to Calgary.
On The Line
A great effort in Montreal is a very good sign for a club that has rifled off four straight wins and seems to be getting in tune with Brent Sutter. Approaching the 20 game mark it’s not all that surprising that the team is getting on page, but a tough tilt in Buffalo was sure to be a good acid test.
The Flow
After Daymond Langkow banged in a heady slot pass from Nigel Dawes the Flames seemed to skate in sand and run around in their own zone. In their defense the Sabres are quick, and good on home ice, and were ready to push back; something somewhat expected in today’s NHL.
The Flames were ready for the second and parlayed three straight unsuccessful powerplays to a period of momentum, out shooting the Sabres and keeping the game deadlocked at one.
In the third it was more of the same with the Flames looking somewhat better than their hosts but being foiled by a steady Ryan Miller; every bit the game star as his buddy at the other end Miikka Kiprusoff.
Overtime featured a deadly Sabres 4 on 3 powerplay that the Flames handled masterfully, and the shoot out went four deep before the Sabres eked out the win.
Three Stars
1. Ryan Miller: Didn’t face as many shots as Kiprusoff but got the win and was perfect in the shoot out.
2. Miikka Kiprusoff: Don’t use the new mask Kipper! Has been outstanding with his “practice” mask in November and was paramount in getting the Flames a road point.
3. Derek Roy: Scored the Sabres goal and was a darting dangerous force all night.
Big Save
You know Kiprusoff is “on” when he stops the unexpected using both concentrated positioning and reflexes. He was all that in the third when a crease crossing pass hit Cory Sarich and deflected towards the top corner of the goal only to have Kiprusoff hoist a shoulder and keep it out of the net.
Big Hit
Very hostile game for two teams that only see each other once a season, both teams were finishing checks all night long with the Flames the clear aggressors. Key the Dion Phaneuf / Paul Gaustad exchange (Gaustad hit Phaneuf, Phaneuf hit Gaustad, then they both dropped their gloves and tried to hit each other).
The Goat
Hate the word “goat” in solid road efforts but the Flames powerplay simply has to get out of its funk if they want to keep this red hot road record alive. Time to break up the Jokinen/Iginla/Moss trio on that first unit? Some suggestions that Dustin Boyd deserves a turn.
Mr. Clutch
Jason Pominville. Wasn’t a game star and scored the game winner in the shoot out. Nothing more clutch than that.
Odds and Ends
Once again no passengers for the Flames as everyone seemed to work hard and carry the torch in the same direction. I think the Sabres had the best of the chances in the first period, but I really question the old shot clock in the first and overtime sessions. Maybe it’s sticking? …. Mark Giordano scored two goals in his only other game in Toronto, will be interesting to watch him tonight with 100 screaming Italian buddies in the fold. … Iginla had his goal streak stop in Buffalo but had a pretty strong game again. I think his woes were confidence induced as he still appears to have that edge in his play. Pushing out from the corner, taking it to the net. He’s back. … What is this team going to do with Olli Jokinen? Maybe that outturn draw through the wickets in the shoot out will get his game untracked. … I know you can’t come out and say you like head shots or the ire of the media will be all over you. I get that the NHL wants to crack down on said plays. But still wonder how the Glencross bump is three games and the McArther elbow push hit from behind in the boards was nothing. Collie Campbell, it’s not difficult. Create a matrix of suspension types. Give them all a range of games. Add in a repeat offender parameter and get someone to create you a damn program. Enough of this inconsistency. … Stats that drive me nuts? Flames are world beaters at home with the powerplay and brutal on the road. Guessing irrelevant. How could it matter. Especially when they are great on the PK in both jerseys. … McElhinney tonight? If he does he will have three starts in 18 games and put him on pace for 14 on the season, or right on target. If he doesn’t? Catch up time later when the points get tight.
Next Up
Right back at it in Toronto tonight, early start at 5pm HNIC.
Lines (To Start):
Sjostrom – Jokinen – Iginla
Dawes – Langkow – Bourque
Glencross – Conroy – Nystrom
McGrattan – Boyd – Prust
Regehr – Phaneuf
Giordano – Bouwmeester
Sarich – Pardy
