So get used to low scoring Flames hockey by the looks of it.
They score two, the opposition hopefully scores one and you take two points. Tough night means one goal and a loss. Grind it out, push the edges to the max, and outlast the opposition night in and night out.
That was pretty much the case again on Saturday night with the Flames turning back the Leafs by a 3-1 margin. Much like the game on New Year’s Eve against Edmonton, the Flames carried the play, out shot the opposition, but just didn’t get the blue chip chances and goal production to get things comfortable.
But two points is two points.
On The Line
A fourth straight win would sure do a whole lot to dispel the feeling that things are sliding off the table for the Calgary squad. A brutal December ended on a strong note, and now with a three game winning streak to close out the old year, the Flames have a great chance to get 2010 off on the right foot.
The Flow
A lackluster start for both clubs with little going on in the first period. The Leafs found the only goal when Jason Blake followed a bouncing puck to the crease, and had his flip shot go in off of Kiprusoff’s heel.
The Flames pushed the issue in the second, out shooting the Leafs but getting little down through the first half of the stanza. In the last five minutes Calgary turned the tide when Jarome Iginla jumped on a rebound and flipped it over Gustafsson to tie the score. A powerplay sent the Flames back at it soon after, Iginla setting up Curtis Glencross for a one timer to put Calgary up for the first time in the night.
The third was entirely too much lay back from the Flames. The Leafs didn’t generate a lot with a passive team skating against them, but that shouldn’t excuse a sit back team. A Glencross empty net goal put the game away giving the Flames their fourth win in a row.
Three Stars
1. Jarome Iginla : Had a great second period in scoring the Flames first goal to tie things up and then setting up Glencross for the game winner. Added an assist on Glencross’s empty net goal to close it out.
2. Daymond Langkow: Typically quiet night for Daymond Langkow, but three assists and a key player in the trenches all night.
3. Jonas Gustavsson: Much like the work of Jeff Deslauriers the other night he didn’t have to be great, but had to be solid as the Flames through vanilla shot after vanilla shot to the net.
The Goat
No goat for Calgary, they put in 60 minutes. Those pundits out East may have been right when they suggested the Flames were thin offensively, because they are certainly pushing the play; they just don’t see to have the puck skill to turn basic shots into good chances.
Mr. Clutch
Jay Bouwmeester. Solid game for the understated almost but not quite Canadian hopeful. Lugged the puck well, was key on the penalty kill for the Flames. The Daymond Langkow of the blueline.
Odds and Ends
Dion Phaneuf went down with an expected injury in the second and didn’t return for the third. Once again, just need that defensive depth. Brent Sutter was pushed for info on HNIC after the game but didn’t give up an once. Mystery. … Jarome Iginla had not gone four games without a goal since 2005 according to HNIC on the broadcast tonight, but had gone three games coming in. His second period goal keeps that streak alive. … Much better game for Adam Pardy who I felt has struggled as of late in getting left behind by Aaron Johnson on the blueline. If Phaneuf is gone for any duration of time they will need both, and not just as mistake prone fillers. Cory Sarich is skating, which is good timing, but one or both of the current 5/6 guys will have step up with those minutes exposed. … The Flames now have 53 points 41 games, one point back of Colorado with two games in hand, and have two points on Vancouver with a game in hand.
Next Up
The Flames travel to Nashville to take on the Predators on Tuesday night. Game time 6pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Glencross – Langkow- Iginla
Dawes – Jokinen – Bourque
Nystrom – Conroy – Glencross
Sjostrom – Boyd – Prust
Regehr – Phaneuf
Giordano – Bouwmeester
Johnson – Pardy
