Such a frustrating hockey team.
Tsk tsk.
A great road trip with points in all four games, they come home with points in 9 of 11 games and seem to be on to something before laying an egg against Minnesota. Then the weekend looms against two of the league’s best on back to back nights.
Doom right?
Think again. The Flames finished off an improbable weekend when they dug deep and eked out a shoot out win over the Vancouver Canucks making the season interesting once again.
Good for the draft pick? Nope. But excellent for January and February season ticket holders!
On The Line
The Flames erased a terrible home start against Minnesota with a win over the Stars on Friday night. That’s points in 10 of 13, can they make it 11 of 14? Back to back weekend wins over Dallas and Vancouver would certainly be a statement.
The Flow
A tepid start with not a whole lot happening in the first few minutes, but the NHL’s best jump on an opening and Edler puts the home side up a goal. After the goal not a whole lot from Calgary for the next few minutes, too much time in their zone. Flames tie it on a powerplay all on the back of Jackman who uses his frame to screen and frame out so Morrison can put it home. Seconds later Glencross jumps on a Stajan induced turn over and puts the Flames up. Flames sit on the lead a bit and the Canucks control the rest of the period.
Early in the second the Flames lose their lead on a great passing play finished by Eldler once again; tie game. For the most part the Flames are on their heels for the 2nd, back to back Jokinen penalties make things tense but they escape the period tied up and looking for points in the third.
Flames get on an early powerplay in the third but can’t convert. Stajan finds Glencross in on his own but is toned by Luongo. Flames go ahead when Backlund drops the puck to Pardy, Pardy shot and Jackman rebound. Flames get a powerplay midway through the period, Iginla almost scores then the Canucks Kessler floats one in and has it get by Kiprusoff to tie the game. Flames get on their heels again after the home side goal and some key Kiprusoff saves keeps things close through a later powerplay.
Powerplay starts into the extra frame for the Nucks, but to no avail, later the Flames get one of their own and come up empty as well.
In the shoot out Bourque and Tanguay get it done for Calgary, while Tambellini scores for the home side as the Flames win after a Tanguay video review.
Three Stars
1. Tim Jackman: Goal and an assist for the plugger that just seems to have it all figuered out for Calgary. What a signing.
2. Alex Edler: Two goals for the Canucks in a losing effort.
3. Brendan Morrison: Goal and some gutsy play in front of his former fans.
Big Save
Love Morrison making amends for his mistake in the first, but Kiprusoff robbing Malhotra early in the second was a classic one timer snuff by the maligned Fin.
The Goat
Mark Giordano? Minus three on the night, not something you see that often from the Flames most solid defender. Law of averages right?
Mr. Clutch
Mikael Backlund … only an assist but a solid game again for the young center that makes due with third and fourth line ice time.
Odds and Ends
“If you’re Glencross coming off that fine, what a great way to make amends for your mistake”. Honestly? What a ridiculous HNIC comment from Weeks. I’m sure the Flames coaching staff was fine with Glencross coming in after a hit from behind two games ago. Silly. … Man what a punch on Bieksa from Kotsopolous in a first period fight. Right in the mush. And out. … How many breaks has Glencross had this season? 13? And has he scored on one other than the shorty in Philly? The guy would be a 40 goal scorer every season. … Kessler’s third period goal won’t help the Kiprusoff witch hunt much, especially after the Luongo series at the other end a few moment before. … The Avalance lose, so the Flames move to within five points again in the West. Let the teasing stop!
Next Up
Flames host the Preds on Monday night at the dome. Game time 7.30 on Sportsnet..
Lines:
Tanguay – Morrison- Iginla
Glencross – Stajan – Hagman
Jackman – Backlund – Moss
Bourque – Jokinen – Kotalik
Regehr- Bouwmeester
Giordano – Babchuk
Pardy – Sarich
Kiprusoff
