Detroit is never an easy place to play. For anybody.
You have to bury your chances, show up to work and well keep out of the penalty box; or the big red machine from Motor City (Hockeytown … has always seemed odd to me) will mow you down.
The Flames buried their chances, they worked hard but they couldn’t quite get that stay out of the box part right in blowing a two goal lead and losing a 5-4 overtime game in Detroit on Sunday.
So what does it mean? Up to reader I guess. Three points in two games against Chicago and Detroit is a pretty good weekend, but if you want to get back in the hunt you can’t blow leads.
On The Line
Five games and ten points are on the line in the next seven days. Should the Flames find say two points in this trip the season is over. Find eight and it’s on! So a good start in Detroit to set the table was a must.
The Flow
The Wings had the best of the first period, but then how could they not with a four zip powerplay advantage. The Flames were out shot nine – six but escaped with a tie which was work well done in this writer’s books.
Calgary was the better team in the second, pouncing on the Wings for back to back Iginla goals as the captain finds his Movember groove a little later this season than last but puts the Flames up 3-1 through forty.
The third was well … odd. The Wings score early making you cringe in anticipation of the Flames giving another game away at the Joe. Instead the Flames get off the carpet, generate some chances and get back up by two on an odd Tanguay goal. Then penalty trouble and Wings make it close gain, two late penalties and well you know what happened.
Overtime the Wings complete the comeback as their captain outweights Kiprusoff and scores the winner.
Three Stars
1. Jarome Iginla: Two goals and an assist as he continues to wipe out a tough start to the season.
2. Henrik Zetterberg: Two goals including the crucial third for the Wings that queued the comeback.
3. Pavol Datsyuk: Two way wizard scores once and adds two assists.
The Save
Ironic that Miikka Kiprusoff makes his save of the night on a point blank third period blast from Niklas Kronwall to keep the game 4-2 only to let in a weak one a minute later to Zetterberg.
The Hit
Mark Giordano caught Hudler just inside the Flames zone in the second period to almost punch the time clock on the on again off again Wing. Later Rene Bourque takes a clean (today’s NHL) shoulder to the beak from Abdelkader that sets off some fireworks.
The Goat
Flames PK late in the game. They have less than a dozen seconds left and all four players on the ice are too worried about a line change giving the dynamic duo the chance to tie things up with 3 seconds on the clock.
Mr. Clutch
Alex Tanguay. Didn’t name him a game star, but five points in two games for the Flames as he helps Iginla fight his mojo.
Odds and Ends
Not sure how a Robyn Regehr face into the boards turned into a touchy knee as he left the ice but it is what it is, and is is trouble. The Flames can’t afford to lose #28…. Have to be impressed with Mikael Backlund coming to Rene Bourque’s defense with Abdekader a minute after the hit. Kid is fitting in. … New guy stuff; I thought Babchuk was much better against Detroit than the Chicago game. Didn’t stand out as a problem in his own zone and did a good job with Giordano transitioning. Kostopoulos is as advertised; hard working and heart and soul …. Speaking of new guys. Have to hand the Flames scouting staff some kudos for picking up Brendan Mikkelson off waivers. He plays a pretty heady game for his age and really looks to have some 4/5 upside. Good move from an organizational standpoint… Bertuzzi’s penalty in interfering with Kostopoulos in the third was exactly why I didn’t like him as a Flame. His hit on Moore was brutal, but his lack of junk between the ears made him intolerable. … I hate to say it by I like Peter Loubardias. Passionate and likable … Modern pet peeve? PVR. We all have it. So when I’m at my kids hockey practice on a snowy Sunday night don’t yell out “Flames lose in OT”. Chances are at least one of 14 families are planning on watching the game when they get home. This isn’t 1980!
Next Up
Not long to stew this one, the Flames play in MSG against the Rangers tomorrow night at 5pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Tanguay – Stajan – Iginla
Hagman – Backlund – Bourque
Glencross – Moss – Morrison
Kostopoulos – Conroy – Jackman
Regehr – Bouwmeester
Mickelson – Sarich
Babchuck – Giordano
Kiprusoff
