Anaheim 5 Calgary 4
Scoring problems? What scoring problems?
The fact is, it’s been a dog’s age since this team filled their opponents’ net. Not counting overtime, shootout or empty-net goals, the last time Calgary scored more than two goals in a game was December 28th against the Oilers. For those who are keeping track, that’s ten games ago. Conventional wisdom dictates that the magic number is three–score three goals, hold the opponents to two or less, and try to do that 45 times a season.
But different games require different strategies–and today, the magic number for Calgary turned out to be 6. It’s always good to emphasize the positives: Calgary scored four goals tonight, with Olli Jokinen and Curtis Glencross bucking scoring slumps. More than that, Calgary battled back from a 3-1 deficit, even taking a 4-3 lead in the second period. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. Anaheim took advantage of a bad Calgary change to notch the go-ahead goal late in the third, cementing a comeback win in a game where both teams led twice.
On The Line
At this time of year, every two points matters. More to the point, the Flames find themselves on a bit of a slide, and a win in this building before facing the much tougher Sharks to-morrow night would have been huge.
The Flow
Calgary started the game with some jump, and Olli Jokinen would score the first of three breakaway goals for Calgary. Soon afterward, Dan Sexton would even the score for Anaheim on a 4 on 3 powerplay. Jokinen and Bobby Ryan would take 10-minute misconducts in an ornery first period that saw two fights and a string of nasty-looking scuffles after the whistle. Anaheim would quickly build a 3-1 lead, and suddenly the script was beginning to look a little familiar: Calgary had the chances, but Anaheim was getting the goals. However, things started changing for the visitors when Eric Nystrom challenged Kyle Chipchura to a spirited tilt that saw the Duck forward heading off for repairs, and Nystrom heading off for a freshly laundered jersey. Then Jamie Lundmark would start the comeback with a last-minute goal, converting a fantastic pass from the for-some-reason-still-underrated Jay Bouwmeester.
The second was another strange affair; if we’re being honest, the ice seemed tilted in Anaheim’s favour for the first few minutes, but it was Calgary that lit the lamp with two unanswered goals, both on breakaways. Giordano notched the first while stepping out of the penalty box, while Curtis Glencross took advantage of a James Wisniewski giveaway to give the visitors their second lead of the night.
In the third, the Flames outshot and outchanced the Ducks–but gave up the tying goal after failing to clear the puck out of the zone on two separate chances. It was Cory Perry who lifted the puck over a prone McElhinney. Then, Bobby Ryan would score the game winner on a partial break, roofing a perfect wrister over the blocker of McElhinney. Calgary would get a flurry of late chances, including a late powerplay, but could not find a goal.
Three Stars
- Bobby Ryan: An ornery game from the youngster–and we have to give him credit for a scintillating wrister for the late go-ahead goal.
- Mark Giordano: Another solid game in what is turning into a breakout season for the beanster.
- Curtis Glencross: A goal and an assist–and in the end, a bounce or two away from notching another game winner. He won’t be skating around the circle after this game. Honourable mention to Olli Jokinen, who played very well.
Big Save
Let’s face it: this wasn’t exactly a goaltending duel. However, a flurry of saves in the third from Jonas Hiller earns him this honour. Sometimes it’s when you make the saves, and Hiller stoned Curtis Glencross from in close with an excellent glove save that stands out in a game where the goalies were victimized a little bit.
Big Hit
Honourable mention goes to Troy Bodie for dumping Adam Pardy into the Anaheim bench. However, Dion Phaneuf’s hit on Petteri Nokelainen just moments later registered on the Richter scale. Full marks to the Finn for getting a shot off anyway.
The Goat
I really hate to do this–particularly since all’s well that ends well–but Jonas Hiller gave up three goals on three breakaways in the first 40 minutes. Stop just one of those three, and Anaheim likely wins this one running away, eliminating the need for late game heroics.
Mr. Clutch
I hope I can write this without prompting a series of droll photoshops–but Jamie Lundmark was part of the reason that Calgary was able to come back in the first place. A clutch goal, solid play at both ends of the ice and very good chemistry with Olli Jokinen.
Odds and Ends
It’s hard to claim that Calgary was the better team, but they needed a few more saves from their backup tonight. However, one positive to take from this game is that with more scoring, improved chemistry up front and a powerplay that looks ready to break out…. we may be out of this slump sooner than later.
Next Up
Calgary heads into San Jose to-morrow. Game time is 8:00, on Sportsnet West and the Fan960.
Lines (To Start):
Glencross – Conroy – Iginla
Lundmark – Jokinen – Nystrom
Dawes – Langkow – Bourque
Prust – Boyd -McGrattan
Phaneuf – Regehr
Bouwmeester – Giordano
Sarich – Pardy
McElhinney
