It was a game of two stories.
One the blatant second period phantom calls that turned a 2-1 Calgary lead into a 4-2 visitor lead in twenty minutes of hockey.
And a second tale of the Flames losing far too many puck battles in all areas of the ice, leaving little doubt about the eventual outcome.
A spirited effort in the third brought the Flames close but in the end it was too many mistakes that once again kept the Flames from putting things together, dropping a 4-3 contest to the visiting Oilers.
The Flames move to 1-2-1 while the Oilers are off to an impressive 3-0-0 start.
On The Line
You know what? I’m going to buck a trend and say … not a whole lot. The provincial battles always matter but this early in the season with both teams off to decent starts, and another shot at each other 25 hours away … this game wasn’t important as in past seasons when the Flames put themselves behind the eight ball with horrific starts.
The Flow
The Oilers came swarming out of the gates and held the edge in play, but it was the Flames that scored first when Adrian Aucoin was credited with a point shot that I swear hit Mike Cammalleri and bounced past rookie goaltender Drouin Deslauriers (please decide on one last name). The Oilers tied it late and likely deserved better through twenty minutes.
In the second the Flames looked to have taken control when Dion Phaneuf layed out Kyle Brodziak, creating a stir that resulted in David Moss’s first goal of the season. But then the penatly brigade began, with four straight calls in the period against Calgary, three of which clearly suspect, two of which didn’t actually happen. When the dust settled the Oilers were up two and the game was a different animal.
In the third this writer is guessing a call from Toronto to the officials room set the course for two straight Calgary powerplays and the expected strike to put the Flames back in the game – this time on a slick play from Todd Bertuzzi. From there the Flames had a few chances but couldn’t generate the pressure needed to push the envelope.
Three Stars
1. Lubomir Visnovsky: One of the Oiler’s biggest off season acquisition was money in the first BOA, scoring once, adding an assist and turning four pucks on Kiprusoff. The Oilers powerplay was the difference and this was the quarterback.
2. Daymond Langkow: Only an assist, but seven shots on a goal and good part of the Flames sporadic offence on the night. Bertuzzi’s from behind the net goal was pretty but Langkow was the engine in the Flames machine all night.
3. Jeff Double “D”: Wasn’t all that sharp to be honest, he handled the puck like Arturs Irbe on a bender, but got it done in the end in his first NHL start.
Big Save
With the score 4-3 and the Flames on the powerplay, Todd Bertuzzi through the puck across the crease to a waiting Daymond Langkow who directed the puck into what appeared to be an empty cage only to have Double “D” do a Tretiak like stretch to get his right pad on the puck.
Big Hit
Two clear cut hits that you have point out. Dion Phaneuf’s pounding on Kyle Brodziak lead to the Flames second goal, and then later in the period Mark Giordano – who is quickly establishing reputation for a near the visitors bench open ice smack down – dropped Jason Strudwick in his tracks.
The Goat
Blunders, blunders and more blunders by the Flames, especially by the bottom half of their defense core lead to chance after chance and at least two of the four goals. If a play isn’t open they have to eat the puck instead of just blindly throwing it up the boards for blue chip chances going the other way. The offence is improved, but the “D” has to come a long way or this could be a dicey season.
Mr. Clutch
The Oiler’s finesse players and their powerplay. They were given the game on a silver platter, and they hunkered down with a big lobster bib and had at her to the tune of three poweraplay goals. There will be zebra stinkers for and against each team in the league, so you had better take advantage of the ones that go your way. The Oilers did.
Odds and Ends
A renewal of the “that first line doesn’t work” argument in this one as they Flames top trio just didn’t get a whole lot done. The worst of the three was Iginla, who continues to struggle in this early season. Maybe he should be fighting, at least we’d notice him at the games. When the tick tack toe passing is working a forward is finally faced with not option but shooting, but too often tonight this trio showed they were way more interested in the over pass, then the clear shot, taking their own chances off line far too often. Mix it up Mike! … The difference in this game was due to Jim Vandermeer, Adrian Aucoin and Cory Sarich. All three did more harm then good at some point in the game and have to pick their socks up or Adam Pardy will see a lot of ice this season. Sarich was the best of the bunch but handled the puck like a hand grenade in offensive situations. Vandermeer and Aucoin were train wrecks in their own zone …. I thought Dion Phaneuf had his best game of the season with much improved decision making and play in his own zone. Good sign … Once again, I have a hard time hanging this one on Miikka Kiprusoff. Two screens, and three powerplay goals, for a total of 4 goals on what was approaching 40 shots. He needs some help. Lay off him media. … Earth calling Matthew Lombardi. Suck back some Slim Fast Shakes and get back at it we miss you. … Keenan made me into a know tonight by scratching Brandon Prust for Dustin Boyd despite my railing against just that both on the message board and on Calgarypuck Radio this week. Great. …. Anyone have a clue as to why the Flames called time out in the second period? Seemed like an odd time. Maybe they wanted more time for the jumbotron to show Dustin Boyd’s goalie interference, or Wayne Primeau’s trip. … In the end the Oilers were 3/6 on the powerplay while the Flames were 1/2. Same percentage so fair! …
Next Up
The same two teams get at it again tomorrow night from Edmonton. If this was the CFL it would be guaranteed win night for the Flames, but in hockey you just don’t know. Real shame that the Flames losing they’ve likely lost their McElhinney option.
Lines (To Start):
Bertuzzi- Langkow – Iginla
Cammalleri – Lombardi – Bourque
Glencross – Conroy- Moss
Prust – Primeau – Boyd
Phaneuf – Vandermeer
Regehr – Aucoin
Sarich – Giordano
Kiprusoff
