Desperation. If this feeling hasn’t set in yet, it had better start.
Coming off 8 consecutive losses, the Calgary Flames now find themselves hanging precariously to the 8th and final playoff spot – locked in a tie with the Detroit Red Wings. If this was September, being told that after 53 games the Flames would be tied with the Wings, just about everyone would have been ecstatic with that. While the Flames play has improved over the last couple of contests, they still aren’t finding that bounce or lucky deflection that all the other teams seem to be getting, and it just hasn’t been enough to win any games.
On The Line
A loss tonight puts the Flames in a horrible spot for Saturday against Edmonton. Calgary needs every bit of momentum they can get before that game, as a loss to the Oilers at this point might just be enough to see some heads actually on the chopping block, as opposed to just swirling rumours. This is also a great chance to string together a little streak. Win tonight’s game, and all that built-up weight will be off the shoulders come Saturday, and the Flames should find a much easier time with that fragile Oiler squad.
The Flow
A slow tentative start to the first period evolved in to what Flames fans wanted to see. No goals for either team, but Calgary exhibited the spirit and effort they will need if they want to end this slide. When things go this bad, it takes a monster effort like this to turn it around. They easily killed off a 4 minute penalty to Cory Sarich, showing hustle and willingness to go the extra mile on every play. You play like that on the road, you have a very good chance to win the game. Players had to be encouraged during the break, which would hopefully translate to some second period scoring.
It didn’t start great for the Flames, unfortunately. The came out in the 2nd period much slower than they exited the 1st, and the Coyotes opened the scoring at 8:32 with a Keith Yandle powerplay goal. The Flames thought they tied it up when Dustin Boyd shot the puck from beside the net which was lost in a scramble. A lengthy review resulted in no goal, which was to be expected as although common sense would dictate the puck was in the net, no clear evidence could be seen. Shortly thereafter, the ‘Yotes made it a 2-goal lead as Shane Doan made a great move along the wall to get free, and fired a hard wrist shot past Kiprusoff. Just as it appeared the Flames were going to throw in the towel, Mark Giordano brought the team back to life with what was the prettiest Flames goal of the year, and perhaps the entire league. Giordano deked around 2 Coyotes defenders and slide the puck past Bryzgalov for his 8th of the year with under a minute left in the period.
Calgary kept with their game plan after just when it looked like they would never get another fortunate bounce, they found one. At 8:15, Mikael Backlund found the net for his first ever NHL goal when he took a Bourque feed and fired it at the screened net. The puck appeared to hit a leg or stick of a Coyote defender and made its way Past Ilya Brzygalov to tie the game at 2. The Flames would carry the play the rest of the way but couldn’t get the go ahead goal, off to overtime.
Calgary also controlled the play in overtime getting a few chances, none better than Dion Phaneuf who had the puck all alone on a backhand chance, but didn’t quite have enough room to squeeze the puck past Bryzgalov. Time for another shootout, oh goodie.
Robert Lang and Lauri Korpikoski easily beat Kiprusoff, and Jokinen and Backlund were stopped and the Coyotes won, 3-2. Flames fall to win-less in 9 games, but points in 2 straight. Another small step in the right direction.
Three Stars
1. Mark Giordano: Scored a highlight reel goal that will be seen for a while. Got the Flames right back in to a game they otherwise looked defeated in.
2. Shane Doan : 1 goal, 4 shots, and was the most dangerous forward on the ice the entire game.
3. Mikael Backlund: Kudos to the young swede for coming up big when the pressure was on most. The Flames needed that goal as bad as they needed any goal this season, and he delivered. Was trusted with 14:55 in icetime, many of that coming late in the 3rd and overtime on a line with Jarome Iginla. throw in 4 shots on goal to lead the team, and I’d call him the best Flames forward on the night.
Big Save
With the game scoreless in the 2nd period, Miikka Kiprusoff flashed the leather to rob Jim Vandermeer of a goal as the ‘Yotes defender had the puck labeled for the open net.
The Goat
A day after his benching, Cory Sarich didn’t show that he deserved to be back. A couple bad penalties, and a horrible play that led to the opening goal.
Mr. Clutch
Mark Giordano. The Flames looked cooked when Phoenix scored the goal to go ahead by a pair, most people watching including myself assumed it was in the books, especially with the way things have been going. That single spectacular goal by Mark Giordano helped crank the wheel that is slowing turning back in the Flames direction.
Odds and Ends
Looked to be more Flames fans in Phoenix than Coyotes fans for this one, or at least they seemed louder. Mikael Backlund comes with a reputation of scoring big goals…nice to see him cash in for the Flames tonight. Definitely looks like he has a legitimate future, fit right in. Chemistry with Iggy? Shots were 31-26 in favour of the Coyotes, but don’t let the shot clock fool you…Calgary played the better game. 2 games in a row go to a shootout…flip the coin the other way and Calgary is talking about a 2 game winning streak instead of a 9 game win-less…just the way its going. Dion Phaneuf led the Flames with 27:32. Starting to lose interest in Sjostrom…what exactly has he done this year? Lombardi looks good in Phoenix…and no, I’m not saying I want him back. He’s just a better fit there than in Calgary. Oilers in town Saturday…both teams combinded have played 21 games without a win…twenty-one!! Something’s got to give…place your bets.
Next Up
The Edmonton Oilers visit Calgary for an 8:00 tilt at the Saddledome on Saturday night. Catch it on CBC or the Fan 960. An Alberta team will finally win a game!
Lines:
Lundmark – Jokinen – Iginla
Boyd- Langkow- Bourque
Nystrom – Backlund – Glencross
Sjostrom- Prust – McGrattan
Regehr – Phaneuf
Giordano – Pardy
Bouwmeester – Sarich
Kiprusoff
