Almost all of the 71 points the Flames have accumulated thus far this season can be attributed to full team efforts. With goaltending, special teams, and 4 line scoring depth coming through all at the same time. Curiously, the Flames earned 5 of 6 possible points on their recent 3 game road trip, but many of those points were due to impressive individual efforts, while the team as a whole lacked cohesion and consistency at most times. Miikka Kiprusoff all but stole a point when the Flames lost in overtime in Anaheim, and cherry picked 2 points with his spectacular 37 save shutout in L.A. Then against Phoenix, it was the unlikely trio of Corey Sarich, Matthew Lombardi, and Todd Bertuzzi combining for 10 points and a +7 rating in a 7-5 win over the ‘Yotes. Points are points, but it was the play earlier on in the season that Calgary hopes to return to tonight against Vancouver.
On The Line
The Flames sit perched atop the Northwest division with a 9 point gap over Edmonton and tonight’s opponent, the Vancouver Canucks. With all three teams having played 56 games, stretching the division lead to 11 points would be enormous, given the alternative of just a 7 point lead if the Canucks can scratch out a win in regulation time. Vancouver is suddenly hot, having won 5 of their previous 6 contests and are feeling good with Roberto Luongo back between the pipes and Mats Sundin looking like his old self.
The Flow
The Canucks had the early jump, controlling play for the first few shifts. Vancouver generated the first good scoring chance with Ryan Kesler being turned away by Kiprusoff on a short half breakaway. But it was Calgary that struck first. Rene Bourque and Craig Conroy started a beatuful passing play that was finished by Jarome Iginla at 9:51 in to the period, a 4-on-4 goal to give the Flames the early edge. Calgary continued to dominate the 1st period, with Luongo making at least 2 highlight reel saves keeping the Canucks from falling too far behind that early on. The Canucks rode the Flames storm and found some luck, as Todd Bertuzzi and Robyn Regehr bumbled the puck around in the defensive zone leading to a short-handed goal from Ryan Kesler with just 15 seconds left. A period dominated by Calgary, erased swiftly by just one mistake.
The 2nd period was mostly the Roberto Luongo show. The Canucks keeper made more highlight reel saves, specifically on a Dion Phaneuf powerplay laser labelled for the top corner. Luongo kept Vancouver in it, and the Canucks rewarded him with a powerplay goal at 17:05 as Ryan Kesler batted in his 2nd of the night. Calgary had an answer right back. David Moss was creating havoc, being his usual Moss-ome self, when Daymond Langkow got the puck and played ping-pong with Roberto Luongo until the Flames centerman chipped the puck over the line. That goal coming just 1:04 after the Canucks 2nd, and things were all knotted up at 2-2 heading into the 3rd period.
The 3rd period was the Miikka Kiprusoff show. Words can not describe the performance put on by the Calgary netminder. Before Kipper took stage, Rene Bourque gave the Flames the lead with a shot through Luongo’s pads while leading the charge on 2-on-1 with Iginla. Then, at 8:48 Adrian Aucoin took a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass. Queue the Kipper. Vancouver fired 8 shots in the next 2 minutes, and Kiprusoff’s heroics were highlighed by a quick toe save on Steve Bernier, followed by a glove robbery on Mats Sundin as the Swede jumped on the rebound like it was a delicious can of chunky soup. But he saved the best for last. A juicy rebound came to Kyle Wellwood who was waiting at the side of the net for the sure goal. Kiprusoff dove through the air with his stick outstretched, and swatted the puck out of mid-air just millimeters before it crossed the line. The play was reviewed and the save stood, simply amazing. Unfortunately for Flames fans, Calgary couldn’t hold the lead for their netminder. Vancouver found the net with the goalie pulled with just 51 seconds remaining from a Kevin Bieksa point shot.
Overtime solved nothing, but Calgary had about 3 quality chances to end it before the shootout, none greater than a point blank Aucoin shot that Luongo managed to get in front of.
In the shootout, Cammalleri was stoned by Luongo’s right pad, Demitra froze Kipper and scored 5-hole, Iginla was denied by Luongo’s glove, Kesler was stopped by Kiprusoff’s left pad, and Bertuzzi hit the post after a beautiful backhand spinorama that had Luongo beat. Game over, Flames lose a heartbreaker.
Three Stars
1. Miikka Kiprusoff: 3 goals allowed, but…just watch the highlights.
2. Roberto Luongo: 3 goals allowed, but…just watch the highlights.
3. Ryan Kesler: Scored 2 goals and was a thorn in Calgary’s side all night.
Big Save
Its a wonder that after some games while doing the write-up, I am racking my brain trying to remember the big save. This game had a whole season worth of “big save” moments. None were larger than the Kiprusoff goal murdering on Kyle Wellwood. This save will rank in Flames lore with Freddy Brathwaite’s gravity defying stick save on Kirk Maltby from many years ago. Words really can not do it justice. Do yourself a favour if you didn’t watch the game. Stop reading this right now, and go directly to your favorite sports website and find the video. Then, pick your jaw up off the floor and continue reading.
Big Hit
Alex Edler caught Curtis Glencross in an awkward position near the boards and sent the Flames forward crashing hard. Alex Burrows also had numerous hard hits, as the Flames were pushed around a little in their own barn.
The Goat
Calgary’s inability to close out a period. All 3 of Vancouver’s goals came with less than 3 minutes left in their respective periods. Nothing is worse or more deflating than a late goal.
Mr. Clutch
This award will be split between both goaltenders. Both Miikka Kiprusoff and Roberto Luongo made shooters look silly. Kiprusoff was inhuman in the 3rd period, and Luongo kept the Flames from piling on their lead all game long.
Odds and Ends
- Lots of “Looouuu” chants echoing through the dome. I still thank that had to be one of the weakest chants in the league. It’s already a confusing thing to hear in GM place as it sounds like a chorus of boo’s when the crowd should be cheering save, but hearing it in the Saddledome is just annoying.
- Calgary Fans Booing Sundin when he touched the puck? Odd player to boo, especially given all the villains stashed on the Canucks roster.
- Anyone else notice the official give Iginla a pat on the back after his goal?
- Jarome Iginla tied Al MacInnis for 2nd all-time in Flames points scored in the 1st period, then passed him with his 3rd period assist on the Bourque goal.
- I thought with certainty that it was NOT a high-sticking penalty if the player in question was following through on a shot. Iginla was called for that infraction in the 1st period, and granted he missed the puck completely, he was clearly trying to take a slapshot.
- Kyle Wellwood had gone 161 NHL games without taking a minor penalty until he took a high sticking penalty in the 1st period. I’m not even impressed, that is the stat of a soft player, not a disciplined one.
- Shots were 43-41 in favour of the Canucks.
- Dion Phaneuf led all skaters with 31:37 of total ice time.
- I like the combo of Iginla & Bourque. Iggy had his best game in weeks.
Next Up
The Flames travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Thursday night. Gametime is at 6:00 P.M. and can be seen on PPV or listened to on the Fan 960.
Lines (To Start):
Bourque – Conroy – Iginla
Cammalleri – Lombardi – Bertuzzi
Glencross – Langkow – Moss
Nystrom – Boyd – Roy
Phaneuf – Sarich
Regehr – Aucoin
Giordano – Pardy
Miikka the Magnificent
