Having dropped the first two games of the season against the Canucks, the Flames were hoping for a bit more luck against another division rival. Luckily for the Flames their arch nemesis formerly in the Colorado net, Jose Theodore, has moved on to Washington, but Joe Sakic is still with the team. So all bets are off. The Flames were hoping to see improved play in their own zone and the hope that goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff would respond to better coverage by his teammates. By the stats on the scoresheet it looks like the team still has some work to do.
On The Line
With the first two games of the season against a bitter division rival consisting of a right proper beat down and a heart-breaking overtime loss, a win could do a lot for the wallowing confidence of the Flames.
The Flow
The Flames typical for their last couple of contests started out extremely strong scoring two quick power-play goals courtesy Dustin Boyd acting Johnny on the Spot and Big Bad Bertuzzi taking advantage of Peter Budaj’s attempt at playing centre-field. But the Avalanche would get within one when Cody McLeod was left alone in the slot and Kiprusoff over-played the shot leaving a wide open net. The Flames would get the two-goal lead back as Curtis Glencross made a nifty pass to a streaking Craig Conroy who slipped the puck between Budaj’s legs. But just as the period was coming to a close the Avalanche would once again cut into the Flames lead as John-Micheal Liles fired a puck over Kiprusoff’s blocker with the tender once again over-playing the puck carrier.
The second was a better second for the Flames than fans had seen in the previous two contests as they at least continued to move their feet, but again allowed a power-play goal for Ryan Smyth though this one was hard to fault anyone on as the Avs put together a beautiful passing play.
The Flames continued to have an edge in play going into the third, but the Avalanche started to even up the shot total thanks to a couple of power plays but it would be the Flames who would strike first. Jarome Iginla would snipe a shot from the top of the circle on an Adam Foote delay of game call to put the Flames in the lead. Iginla would follow that effort up by doing a little rebound placement firing a shot low and far side that forced Budaj to kick the rebound right to the stick of on-rushing Todd Bertuzzi who fired the puck home. Though credit should be given to Budaj who narrowly missed making the save. Then the worst of luck happened to Kiprusoff as he dropped down to block a routine dump in, only someone installed a trampamboline in the ice right infront of Kiprusoff as he could only watch as the puck bounced over his shoulder. A real confidence crusher indeed. But when called upon in the dying moments of the game Kiprusoff managed to come up with a couple of big saves to keep the win.
Three Stars
1. Todd Bertuzzi: Bertuzzi was probably the best player on the ice for both teams. He was driving to the net, making good passes and using his size and strength to his advantage. Two goals including the game winner give the big man a place in Flames fan’s hearts.
2. Ryan Smyth: Smyth was playing his usual game scoring a goal from his familiar spot within 6 inches of the front of the net.
3. Cory Sarich: A bit more of an unsung game from Sarich, his play in his own zone was a massive improvement from games 1 and 2.
Big Save
Neither goaltender particularly made many of what might be classified as game saving saves, so let’s leave this section a little bare tonight.
Big Hit
Big hit, but for all the wrong reasons.. Mark Giordano looked like Denis Gauthier as he went for a big hit during the Avalanche power-play late in the first. His MISSED hit directly led to an odd man rush for the Avalanche and a goal.
The Goat
Sadly, I have to hang these horns on Miikka Kiprusoff. Probably because he’s so overly worried about his play he’s over-committing to plays far too often. The Avalanche’s fourth goal was just plain bad luck, but at the worst of timing for the seemingly now fragile psyche of the Flames netminder.
Mr. Clutch
Welcome to Calgary Mr Bertuzzi! The big dumb lug’s play in tonight’s game was incredible. He’s starting to find his groove in the Flaming C.
Odds and Ends
As Mike Cammalleri joked in his post game interview on the Fan 960, the Flames are working their way towards dropping the goals against totals. This season is a work in progress. So while many people are obviously going to be stressing themselves out over the number of goals the team allowed there are a lot more positives to take out of tonight’s game than either of the previous contests. The penalty kill, which has looked very good, still looked good tonight, even with the two goals allowed. But consider those goals as ones that were the results of a bad play by Giordano and a tic-tac-toe passing play. They still killed off the penalties they needed to.
Concerns over the Flames goaltender are certainly justified, but they really shouldn’t be taken quite as seriously as they are right now. It’s been three games, the Flames have three points out of those games, and the team is starting to gel a little more. Patience is a virtue, and it’s been lacking in many a Flames fan lately. So, while you’re more than welcome to be angry at Mr. Kipru-sieve, this fan is going to look at the positives and look forward to see how the team continues to improve.
Next Up
Friday night start of a home at home back to back set against the speedy smurfs to the North. Watch in glorious High Definition on Sportsnet West (Skeeeooorrres) and the trusty Fan 960. Game starts at 7PM.
Lines (To Start):
Bertuzzi- Langkow – Iginla
Cammalleri – Lombardi – Bork!
Glencross – Conroy- Moss
Prust – Primeau – Boyd
Phaneuf – Giordano
Regehr – Aucoin
Sarich – Vandermeer
Kiprusoff
