With the season at a virtual dead heat with divisional and conference opponents, the sprint to the playoffs enters the last 50 meters. 9 games remaining against divisional opponents, each game, and each night, bound to bring different turns. The Flames last efforts haven't quite convinced the fans that they are witnessing a solid playoff team, but throw that away, what happens from here on in is the cards the Flames have been dealt and have to play properly.
On The Line
A chance to come out and take hold of a game and display the confidence in this team's abilities.
When it plays at our near its potential it's proven more dynamic and dangerous then past opponents. What was on the line tonight was the club proving to itself that it can get to that level when called upon, and hopefully discover that they are able to play up to that level from here on in. The Flames take care of themselves and focusing on consistency, making the playoffs is not an issue no matter what happens in other rinks around the Northwest division. Tonight is the first test of their mettle, against a Colorado team on a mini dip in its play recently. The result, and, as importantly, proving that they're ready to bear down now with more consistent efforts, were to be key.
The Flow
Before the drop of the puck, this was already a different game...Andres Eriksson on the wing? 9 seconds later, James Vandermeer gets in a fight, buckling the legs of Ian Laperriere with a swift uppercut. Likely the most complete period of Flames hockey in many moons had begun. Rock solid defending, out skating, out hitting, creating chances and drawing penalties with speed, relentless fore checking. Strong PK on some questionable calls. The Avs looking completely discombobulated, one wonders what they expected from the Flames in such a big game, because they weren't at all prepared for anything the Flames had for them. Within the period, two goal...a patented drive from the corner by Jarome Iginla on a powerplay, demonstrating why he is the true leader of this team, allowing Jose Theodore to only get a piece of the puck from the onrushing Iginla, and Daymond Langkow able to sweep in the loose puck from in tight. Soon after, more Flames pressure results in Regher's point shot getting through, and the two Flames causing havoc in the crease, Craig Conroy and Owen Nolan, combine efforts to slide another puck past Theodore. Completeness and the first ends with a well deserved 2 goal lead.
Now, one wouldn't necessarily expect that same level of energy to withstand 60 minutes. The seconds period calmed down a bit, the Flames still buzzing and showing jump, but in a more controlled and systematic way. The Avalanche seemed to climb a little bit out of the massive hole they were in shots wise and overall play wise, but a relatively uneventful 2nd period ended with the same score as after the first. The Avalanche started to mount a comeback come the 3rd. A goal off a broken play, with an Av player already in the crease, drew the ire of the Flames and coach Mike Keenan, and suddenly it was a 1 goal game again. Like the last Colorado visit to Calgary, and one previously in the season, the Avs were one more bounce or broken play away from drawing level. The Flames continued to excel at throwing away any rhythm the Avalanche were attempting to build and the Flames withheld last minute chances to come out with a completely deserved 2-1 result.
Big Save
A relatively quiet night for the goalies. Miikka Kiprusoff facing few chances, the goal itself somewhat dubious. Jose Theodore also not challenged that often, many of the Flames shots from the exterior and right at the Avalanche crest.
Big Hit
With the Flames flying into anything in maroon and blue that moved in the first, there never was a monumental hit that stood out. Let’s give this to Vandermeer's punch, that swayed the decision in his early 1st period fight, clearly into his favor, and set the tone for how the Flames were approaching this game.
The Hero
Matthew Lombardi, for his speed which created both powerplay opportunities that lead to the two Flames goals. An example of playing up to the abilities that you have...nothing less, and nothing more in trying to do to much. If he, and other players, role players or otherwise, can refocus on the strengths they bring to the club, and concentrate or displaying those skills like that, this team has the make up to be a dynamic and hard to defend bunch.
The Goat
The Avalanche. As touched on earlier, completely unprepared for the Flames from the start, and never really figured the Flames out. Sure, a few key injuries and guys not at 100%, but the team. With the Flames in recent days getting somewhat unjustly accused under the microscope of being clueless or lacking heart, the Avalanche left no doubt in one's mind which team wanted it more from the puck drop, barely putting up a fight at times it looked like. For a team that's in as tight as they are in a race, they looked defeated from the start with that effort tonight.
Three Stars 1-Matthew Lombardi - As mentioned about, his two rushes against flatfooted Avs defenseman opened the door for the Flames powerplay to click. Can he repeat that performance Saturday and beyond? No reason why he shouldn't...that may be the credo for the whole team, but more so for Lombardi as he brings an element that is needed, and he is as streaky as they come, confidence wise.
2-Jarome Iginla - Under the gun himself for purportedly not doing enough jabbering to his teammates. After meeting with all of them personally, Iginla starts the game off with a drive to the net on the powerplay, and an ugly goal results and sets the Flames on their way.
3-Robyn Regehr - You notice Smyth out there? Hejduk? Sakic? Me either. An all around solid performance by all defenseman, shutting down the Avs on their early powerplays, with Regehr out there against the top line. Efficient as he was completely invisible, but did all the things needed to help Kiprusoff see only 16 shots, and prevent any multiple or clear cut chances. Not nearly recognized for the effectiveness and strength this guy has.
Odds and Ends
Six minutes of ice time for Huselius over 7 total shifts all game? Ouch. "Mr. March" obviously didn’t set his clock ahead Sunday, its as if he was still playing in Feb. Looks more and more like he won't be back to see the clocks change back in October. Regardless, the latest episode for the media to eat up and grill Keenan over tomorrow. Alex Tanguay returned, certainly looking a bit ginger, and not getting 1st line time as a result. Mark Smith seeing a stint on the top line, then relieved by Nilson for the 2nd and 3rd. Hopefully Tanguay gets better day by day, the Flames need that threat to take the mounting focus by opponents on Iginla. Craig Conroy flying out there tonight. All that said, the Avs needed one more bounce, to tie this up. The Flames need that 3rd line, for all its good work the past few games, to chip in and get that extra goal to prevent flukes against from changing the game. All in all, let’s give the team credit. They are forced under a microscope after losses, and wins are brushed aside as expected, it seems. With panic being stirred up in some common Flames fans, the team comes out and plays to their potential. Not over their heads or doing a complete 180 doing things they haven't done before, just because they want to atone for previous efforts that weren't good enough, this game showed a renewed focus on taking control of the game on their own, rather then being an equal partner in it.
Next up
A Saturday evening tilt with the Wild. The Wild will play tomorrow in Vancouver. How quickly things change. With Nashville continuing its face plant tonight, the extreme outsiders in Phoenix and the Oilers dropping points and needing a miracle, a win against the road weary, banged up Wild suddenly has the Flames looking very very good, and the entire NW division minus the Oilers a good bet to make it in. A win on Saturday would peg them at 88 points, 6 or 7 points from the projected cutoff point, with still 7 games to go. Of course, many things could happen, but for those just 1 day ago questioning the Flames chances, it would be a nice cushion going into the last fortnight of the season, and ideally, give the team the confidence to start final perpetrations for the playoff run, a team that this writer thinks has the makeup superior to the last 2 playoff editions, once the seconds season starts.
Game time, 8 pm , nationwide on the CBC, in glorious HD.
