Miikka Kiprusoff was overlooked for the NHL all star game this season, and largely by media across North America. His attempt this season at the NHL win record and perhaps 50 wins overall is picking up steam in the reporter circle but his average and save percentage haven’t wowed many. This season he hasn’t had to steal many, but tonight he almost pulled off that feat.
The Flames played a fairly solid road game, but were outplayed and needed Miikka Kiprusoff at his best to get the game to overtime, before bowing out 3-2.
On The Line
Calgary managed to remove that King Kong of a four game losing streak in fine fashion by putting the Habs away on Monday night, but tonight’s game is their first crack at a road game since the infamous Darryl Sutter chat in Dallas. Add in the fact that they haven’t won in Anaheim in five years and eight starts and you have all the momentum that you need.
The Flow
Solid road start for the Flames as they have a few quiet shifts followed by a good push by the Lombardi line with a near miss from Mike Cammalleri on a Rene Bourque rebound. A shift later the Flames take the lead when a Mark Giordano shot is blocked only to have Todd Bertuzzi jump on the loose puck and rip through a Jarome Iginla screen. The Ducks pushed back by taking the play to Calgary in the middle parts of the period. The Ducks continued to pile up some shots, but the Flames kept them to the outside and protected their lead, including a Duck’s powerplay towards the end of the stanza.
A good start to the second for the Ducks but the Flames had the best chance when Bertuzzi found Iginla on a back pass that was almost directed in by the captain. Some great chances both ways with both goaltenders really playing well and foiling all attempts. Dion Phaneuf takes a penalty midway through the period setting up a game tying goal for future Flame Scott Niedermayer (I jest). The Flames get a powerplay of their own with Iginla bobbling a sure goal trying to go skate to stick. Moments later former Duck Curtis Glencross ripped one over Giguere’s shoulder to put the Flames back up.
A terrible Calgary powerplay to start the third setting up the almost expected tying goal from historical Flame killer Morrison. Iginla makes an amazing play to catch Rob Niedermayer on a shorthanded breakaway keeps the score notched at two. Some brief four on four play is followed by a Duck powerplay that has the Flames failing to get the puck out on a few attempts. They escape that one only to go down again when Mike Cammalleri takes a penalty. Some great kill, especially by Curtis Glencross and Craig Conroy keep the game tied up as the period approaches an end. But don’t rest, another penalty to Calgary, this time to Giordano as the puck continues to bounce against Calgary. Calgary manages to kill that one as well and starts to hang on for OT. A “revlon” call against Hedican sends the Flames to the powerplay late. Calgary’s powerplay nowhere near as pressure packed as the Duck offering sending the game to overtime.
A quick overtime with the good Niedermayer finding the range on a backhand to give the Ducks the win. Calgary gets a point.
Three Stars
1. Miikka Kiprusoff: If you could give a guy all three stars you’d do that for Miikka Kiprusoff tonight. The best player on the ice by far.
2. Scott Niedermayer: Two goals including the game winner, the man just continues to be a dominant force in the NHL. So trade him to Calgary already.
3. Rene Bourque: Only one assist but had great chances and board work all night. Should have won it with a minute left in the third.
Big Save
Saves don’t get more point blank than Miikka Kiprusoff’s robbery of Chris Pronger’s one timer on a feed from Ryan Getzlaf in the first period. A solid pad save when the Flames were slipping despite leading 1-0.
Big Hit
Mark Giordano clearly making the most of the added boost in ice time that comes with playing with Dion Phaneuf stepped into former Flame Rob Niedermayer in the neutral zone, sending him to his knees. Later Giordano gets his back when George “porn star” Parros hits him into the boards behind the Flames net. Not to be outdone, Giordano again on Perry a few minutes later. Have I mentioned Giordano? But in the end it’s his partner Dion Phaneuf stealing the show for planting Kunitz coming across the line with seconds left in the second. The return of #3?
The Goat
Once again Calgary’s powerplay. Two attempts in the third period, one with a goal lead early, and one with a tie game late. They need to find that gear and start helping the bottom line. Clearly the issue is the top key players offensively that haven’t gotten it done of late.
Mr. Clutch
Loved Mark Giordano tonight, but Mikka Kiprusoff was outstanding tonight. Road wins are tough in the NHL, but to pick up points you need goaltending like that.
Odds and Ends
I was quick to criticize the Andre Roy signing this summer, and was all over him when he either fell or get beat in his first handful of scraps in Calgary colours, but through injuries and the necessity to play he’s really proven to be a great addition to the team. He’s done better fighting, but the biggest contributions from the former Bolt are his ability to handle the puck and his humour in the room. If one of Wayne Primeau or Brandon Prust find their way back he may be sidelined, but thumbs up on the signing six months later. …. The new second and third line paid immediate dividends on Monday night against Montreal, but the Iginla line sputtered, so it was good to see the top line find the net early in this one. … Todd Marchant … so much speed, so little hands. Paul Ranheim. .. Love those Sportsnet trivia questions, not exactly meant for the average Calgarypuck level fan. Apologies if you think Jarome Iginla started his career in Anaheim or you think Bertuzzi wore 7 in Anaheim last year. … There are certainly more talented players than David Moss, but man if you could get all players to shoot the puck at the net and go to the net themselves as often as #25 … Question #1: Shot clock? Is it me, or did that first not seem like a 12-4 period? … I liked Roger Millions as a play by play guy and I like Peter Lobardias as well. What is it with Calgary fans disliking play by play guys? Seems like a good guy to me. … Not a big fan of the Ducks uniforms, but that’s ok, you don’t have to wait long to see a new edition from this club. They change jerseys as often as the Canucks. For an expansion team to have eight silks already? I know they have a slight red/orange pin stripe on their jersey but you can’t see it from a distance which just makes the big one on their pants strange …. Question #2: if you have something Festerling, should you get it looked at? … One of the quietest yet most important players in Calgary this season is Cory Sarich and the work that he’s done with both Adam Pardy and Mark Giordano. His contract seemed high when he signed it. It’s not. … Love that “festerling” Phaneuf / Pronger feud that we’ve seen for the past two seasons. That Pronger can be a real “kunitz”. The whole thing makes me “getzlaf”. … ok, someone in broadcasting explain to me; the Honda Center is about a generation newer than the Saddledome, so why does it seem like they’re playing outside at dusk? It’s dark. Games in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver on television are bright. … Did I say Jarome Iginla wasn’t a good defensive player on Calgarypuck radio last night? Yes I did. Still true, but what a plan catching Rob Niedermayer from behind on a third period breakaway (could have been a Duck penalty for tying up Phaneuf). … You see so many NHL powerplays with a guy in front of the net the whole time, why is Moss the only guy in Calgary that goes to the tough spots? … Cool to see 3 on 3 in overtime because of the late penalties, would rather see that for five minutes than a shoot out. As we saw tonight, you won’t see many escape that time frame. … Question #3: has any team ever soiled themselves worse than 13-4 in two games in Alberta? Ouch for Montreal.
Next Up
The Flames drive across town (say 40 minutes) to play the Kings tomorrow night on Sportsnet, game time 8:30pm.
Lines (To Start):
Bertuzzi – Langkow – Iginla
Cammalleri – Lombardi – Bourque
Glencross – Conroy – Moss
Nystrom – Boyd – Roy
Phaneuf – Giordano
Regehr – Aucoin
Sarich – Pardy
Kiprusoff
