Calgary has gotten off to a fantastic start despite the fact that many would argue that they haven’t deserved the record that they have. But what people in Calgary have been treated to is a team learning the ropes of how to play with an attitude of intimidation and swagger. So while there haven’t been full 60 minute games where the Flames are on their game, they are coming closer and closer to achieving that goal.
Turn the pages to Saturday night, only the Flames second game of the week, and the Flames take on the Oilers at home. With plenty of time to practice the little things that Brent Sutter is looking for, and having a bit of swagger against the Oilers so far this season with two wins under their belt, you could bet that the Flames would be on.
But for the first time in seemingly forever, both Alberta teams are off to good starts, and are playing well. So who would take the third installment of the Battle of Alberta?
On The Line
Both teams sit with a 6-2-1 record, both near the top of the division, both scoring the same number of goals, the Oilers bettering the Flames in the goals against department…this game was of utmost importance to both teams. Never mind the four point night of a divisional game!
The Flow
Edmonton got out to a quick start taking advantage of a Jarome Iginla goaltender interference call, as Lubomir Visnovsky netted his third of the season taking a slick pass from Ales Hemsky where Visnovsky was faced with a wide open net, no chance for Miikka Kiprusoff. The play was back and forth with both teams trading chances until another Oilers power play, except this time it was Rene Bourque doing the damage. Bourque shoved Denis Grebeshkov off the puck at the line and started a two on one with Daymond Langkow. Langkow waited just long enough to feather a pass to Bourque who was able to tip the puck past Khabibulin. The first frame would end with a little bit of controversy as Jarome Iginla received a hit from Zack Stortini which started a scrum and Iginla ending up the only man in the box. I think most Flames fans, the Flames coaches, and Iginla were arguing that Stortini should have gotten interference on the play, but no such call.
Calgary came out firing in the second period as they would out shoot the Oilers 19-9, a rarity of a second period performance for the Flames. Weathering the storm of the late period power-play opportunity with Iginla in the box, the Flames would strike thanks to some hard work behind the net by Rene Bourque. Bourque would take the puck behind the net, come out to the goal mouth and fire a pass to an uncovered Nigel Dawes who put home his third of the season. The Flames would strike again just 36 seconds later as Eric Nystrom would put home his fourth of the season once again with some hard work. Nystrom and Boyd teamed up to cycle the puck down low, Boyd drove to the net and Nystrom finished things off pushing the puck past Khabibulin. The Flames would continue to add fuel to their fire on the power-play midway through the second. DIon Phaneuf who is firing the puck a lot more on the power-play found a willing target in David Moss who tipped a high Phaneuf shot past Kahbibulin for his third of the season. The play would be reviewed, but would stand as Moss’ stick was below the crossbar. Before the end of the frame the Oilers would get another goal on the power-play as Dustin Penner, who has been an absolute monster this season for the Oilers, was too much for Robyn Regehr to handle. With Sam Gagne driving to the net, Ales Hemsky shooting on goal and Penner crowding the crease Penner was able to poke the puck past a helpless Kiprusoff.
At the end of the second the Flames would once again get into penalty trouble which saw the Oilers spending the first minute with a two man advantage, and the first four minutes or so on the power-play. But Calgary was up to the task, looking especially confident on the five on three, and the Flames carried most of the play to start the third except for a Shawn Horcoff post. The teams spent most of the first half of the third trading penalties until Langkow drew a tripping call against Shawn Horcoff and Nigel Dawes froze Khabibulin and wristed a nice little shot past the Edmonton netminder for his second of the game and fourth of the season. That was all that Calgary needed as they finally won a game allowing less than 3 goals.
Three Stars
1. Rene Bourque: Bourque is playing like a man possessed. His three point night continues to see him lead the Flames in offence.
2. Daymond Langkow: Langkow had two assists and seemed to have an about face after one of the worst of his career against Columbus.
3. Eric Nystrom: Scored the game winner on the basis of hard work. He is the model of what Brent Sutter wants to see on every shift.
Big Save
With the score still 4-2 and the Oilers looking to get another foot in the door of a 4-1 lead like they did against Columbus, Patrick O’Sullivan looked to have a sure goal before Miikka Kiprusoff flashed the glove to sink O’Sullivans heart.
Big Hit
There is nothing quite like a fight, and when it’s between two massive nuclear deterrents it’s moreso entertaining, but add another shot of awesome when it’s between the Flames and the Oilers it rocks the planet. The fight between Brian McGratten and Steve MacIntyre was a bloody battle. Give the tilt a draw, but McGratten did a fantastic job against the larger MacIntyre.
The Goat
It’s actually difficult to find a goat on either side tonight. Possibly the only player who was really out of things was Shawn Horcoff. His penalty and the ensuing power-play really seemed to sink the Oilers.
Mr. Clutch
Rene Bourque was easily the best player in the game. His shorthanded goal, the first go ahead goal, his play along the boards, his skating, Bourque is a monster.
Odds and Ends
With all this time at home, with a couple of games to try out all the things that Brent Sutter has the Flames practicing, this oddity of the schedule in October could very easily set the Flames up for the rest of the season. Based on tonight’s performance, probably the most complete performance that the Flames have had all season, this could really help when things get tight in November.
As great as the Flames record looks, it’s still surprising that the Flames aren’t leading the division. One has to think that if the Flames continue to play the way they have that they will be able to walk off with it however. You can really start to see and feel the swagger that the Flames are capable of playing with. As a fan, I can’t think of the last time I saw this, perhaps in 2005-2006, but in that case you still panicked about scoring. Calgary is just an exciting team to watch so far. They beat you up on ice while they beat you up on the scoreboard, and that can only make you smile.
Next Up
The Flames have another couple of days to think about things like killing penalites as they wait until Wednesday before they take on the red hot Colorado Avalanche. Game starts at 7:30 MT and can be seen on Calgary Flames Pay-Per-View
Lines (To Start):
Gencross – Conroy – Iginla
Dawes – Langkow – Bourque
Sjostrom – Jokinen – Moss
Nystrom – Boyd- McGratten
Regehr – Phaneuf
Giordano – Bouwmeester
Pardy – Kronwall
Kiprusoff
