Hockey is such a funny game sometimes. 24 hours ago the Calgary Flames finished up one of their worst efforts of the season at home on the wrong end of a 5-1 drubbing. That game following perhaps the worst 2 weeks stretch of the season thus far, so things were looking downright frightening as far as trends go. Going into the 2nd game of a back to back with a goaltender that failed to make it out of the first period the previous night, a team that has been squeezing the sticks so tight they have dents in them, and a confidence level that appears to be on the verge of implosion, this game has disaster written all over it, and an ensuing meltdown by fans and media in Calgary in general, and specifically on this Flame forum.
On The Line
Beyond the sanity of head coach Brent Sutter and GM Darryl Sutter, a place among the playoff positions, a reason to believe moving forward, a boost of confidence moving into a much needed mini homestand, staying in touch with division leading Colorado, and fending off several teams close in the rear view mirror….not a whole lot.
The Flow
1st period was all about the Oilers coming out fast and furious in a effort to avoid losing a 7th straight game. It worked for them. The Oilers had a 1-0 lead on the scoreboard, an 8-0 lead in shots and had the Flames in a state of bewilderment all within the first 5 minutes. Credit to the Flames however, as they settled it down a bit and played a much more even keeled game the rest of the way which then allowed them to score late and head into the break tied up.
The second period was a good one for the visitors as they started to get physical with Edmonton, started outworking them which then led to a PP goal midway through the frame and with the work of Miikka Kiprusoff backing them up, take a 1 goal lead into the final 20 minutes.
The third was a much much better road period, and in fact the Flames were the better team when they started to move their feet and impose their will. Scoring early to complete his natural hat-trick, Rene Bourque put the final nail in the coffin of the Oilers on the night. The Oilers mailed it in after the Giordano goal and managed a meagre 4 shots on net.
Three Stars
1. Miikka Kiprusoff: Who else? Singlehandedly allowed Calgary to walk away with two points on the night with 34 saves on 35 shots, and many of the tough variety in that he was reacting to close in shots and/or deflections. He is all over that Vezina statue they give out at the end of the year based on his play thus far.
2. Rene Bourque: A natural hat-trick for the Alberta native, and he did it 3 different ways. One at even strength, one on the power play and the final one short handed. When he is going, he is a really really good hockey player.
2. Dustin Boyd: For one reason and one reason only does his name appear in this space tonight, and that was because of his willingness to drop the mitts exactly one game second after his club had given up that first goal, was getting outplayed everywhere on the ice and was staring at a very long night. He changed the momentum, or perhaps just stopped it in its tracks, and he should be commended for it.
Big Hit
There were a few big ones tonight; Adam Pardy levelled Ryan Stone as he came through the neutral zone in the first period as one example. However the winner goes to David Moss who creamed Steve Staois from behind in the second period. Staois went face first into the boards on what should of been at least a 2 minute boarding call and possibly a major had the player been injured. Big hit for sure, completely illegal however.
Big Save
Miikka Kiprusoff robbed Sam Gagner in a flurry of shots during the 3rd minute of the 1st period. If that one finds twine, this game may have a very different outcome, but he flashed his pad out to keep the Flames treading water.
The Goat
Sorry to a few posters for this one and feel free to roast me for it, but Im taking this spot to call out Craig Conroy. I understand he is doing some things at an OK level, but as was said at the beginning of this year, the Flames depth was to be their strength when it came to scoring goals. Conroy was certainly part of that mix to provide the secondary offense we all suspected would occur. Well here we are almost half way through the year and Conroy is on pace for no goals and a whopping 17 points. That is less than Robyn Regehr for the love of pete. Simply nowhere near acceptable and a huge hole in the line-up. You’re a veteran guy who knows the game, use that knowledge to allow yourself to be in better position to create scoring chances Craig, because right now it’s looking like the press box is more to your ability.
Mr. Clutch
Rene Bourque. The Flames offense has been on the schnide as of late, and needed a good kick in the pants. The workhorse from Lac La Biche provided it in the timeliest manner. Atta boy Rene.
Odds and Ends
Not to ignore the other problems on the club by pointing out Conny’s deficiencies, David Moss has to be better as well. A big body who crashes the net is what you are, so go do it………Olli Jokinen is now the team leader in assists, which is surprising considering the amount of criticism he has been receiving of late….odd that the Flames have now clinched the season series against the Oilers and the calendar hasn’t even hit January yet…..Dion Phaneuf with another solid outing, which really has to have gotten the attention of Yzerman and crew of late….Phaneuf and Bouwmeester both logged 24+ minutes tonight….This writer predicts that Calgary picks up points in all of their next 3 games….the Oilers are in a boat load of trouble for a couple reasons, they have too many albatrosses like contracts on average or worse players, and they simply do not have a blend of guys that can play all-out high flying hockey, nor do they have a crew that can play gritty defense first.
Next Up
Wednesday night at the ‘Dome in a battle against the feisty LA Kings.
Lines:
Dawes – Jokinen – Bourque
Glencross – Langkow – Iginla
Nystrom – Conroy – Moss
Sjostrom – Boyd – Prust
Regehr – Phaneuf
Giordano – Bouwmeester
Johnson – Pardy
Kiprusoff
