10 long years ago to the day, January 5, 2000, the Flames had the first road game of the last decade. It ended as a loss to Colorado. The Flames start this decade on the road in Nashville, hoping for a better start on the road to the decade, and at the same time, embarking on the second half of an already promising season.
On The Line
On the line tonight, a 4 game winning streak for the Flames. Nashville’s impressive 9-3-1 record over the past while is a sign of an improving team. Nashville is top of the Central Division, tied in points with the Flames at this point in the season. The Flames hope to duplicate the 5-0 win from late November, and erase the memory of the afternoon loss in Calgary 3 weeks ago.
The Flow
A fairly scrappy first period, although the Flames had more of the flow and possession in the Flames’ favor. Chances highlighted by Jarome Iginla and Curtis Glencross, however the Flames couldn’t get anything past Dan Ellis. Miikka Kiprusoff had to deal with a couple chances that were due to questionable ice conditions, but it was clear that Kiprusoff was sharp from the get go. A lot of whistles, no penalties, some solid physical play and the shots ended 12-10 in favor of the Flames.
More non-descript action to start the second. The Flames once again seeming to be the aggressor in the offensive display. Some continued good play from Ellis keeps the score level. Out of nowhere, Nashville gets the odd good chance and Kiprusoff is there to keep the door shut. Kiprusoff then is the victim of some overzealous Nashville forwards, getting bumped around his crease, with no call forthcoming. The Flames then turn up the sandpaper in the Nashville zone…3 straight shifts with down low work in the Predator’s zone…the third shift the good work along the boards and in the dirty areas pay off, as David Moss, Eric Nystom and Dustin Boyd bang away at a loose puck in the Nashville crease. In far from a highlight reel goal, Moss is the last to touch it and bang it in from 4 feet away. The Flames continue the momentum, gaining a powerplay, which is unsuccessful, as is a late Nashville powerplay after Glencross has to make up for a bad change by the Flames and take a hooking penalty. With under 30 seconds, some great work by Dawes to keep possession along the boards, a solid play by Dion Phaneuf to get the point shot on net, and Olli Jokinen is in the goal scorer’s spot to fire the puck into a yawning net. 2-0 Flames after two, shots 16-9 in the period, now 28-19 overall for the Flames.
The third starts with the Flames holding the lead starting the period on the offensive. A Flames PP is fruitless, and from that point the Flames go into a defensive shell. Miikka Kiprusoff shows over and over why he is the team’s MVP to this point. Picking the puck up in scrambles, timely poke checks. Two questionable calls against the Flames defenseman Pardy and Regher, and on the second PP, Patric Hornquist takes advantage of a mistimed, second pokecheck and roofs it into the Flames net. More scrambling from the Flames, trying to hold on to the lead. With the Flames having played tight games the last stretch, it was organized chaos at least, with shotblocks, Kiprusoff making saves and defenseman clearing pucks. With the Nashville goalie pulled, good board play by Jarome Iginla chips the puck to open ice where Daymond Lankgow deposits the puck into the empty net. 3-1 Flames final. 9-6 third period shots for Nashville, 34-28 total for the Flames.
Three Stars
- Miikka Kiprusoff: Although the team defense was solid ahead of him, like a broken record this year, many many quality saves, any one of which wouldn’t be blamed for going in, is instead stopped.
- Jay Bouwmeester: Another quiet, solid game with Bouwmeester all over the ice. Only 23 minutes tonight, but each of those minutes, as always, are quality.
- Patric Hornquist: A relative unknown, took a punishment in front of the net, but took the abuse. Rewarded for his preserverence, and showed his skill, with soft hands on a third period powerplay goal, his 14th of the season.
Big Save
Miikka Kiprusoff on Joel Ward in the first period. Even though Ward’ stick broke, he got enough on it that warranted a solid save from Kiprusoff. More the timing of the save then anything else, it kept the Flames tied at that point and kept the team’s confidence up.
Big Hit
Shea Weber caught Dion Phaneuf with his head down crossing the Nashville blue line, after a long lead hospital pass from Kiprusoff. Phaneuf with the last laugh, assisting on the game winning goal.
The Goat
No goats in this game, both teams playing good hockey right now, and although not a run and gun game, a solidly played game on both sides, with almost a playoff atmosphere.
Mr. Clutch
Flames team defense have given up only 1 goal in each of the last 5 games, on this 5 game win streak. Shot blocking, proper positioning of goalies and defenders, and of course solid solid saves from Kiprusoff, have vaulted the Flames to this streak. That’s Flames and Sutter hockey.
Odds and Ends
Jokinen’s goal a pure goal scorer goal. Pulling away from the goalie, while staying in the scoring zone, in order to have the space and angle in the event of a rebound. Too often this year that rebound doesn’t end on his stick. For all the perceived offensive struggles, his transformation to be a solid defensive forward has not gone un-noticed. Particularly remarkable given the lack of system he played in his career previous to landing in Calgary. Phaneuf lead all skaters on the ice with 26 solid minutes. Jason Jaffary with his first regular season Flames game, after leading Abbotsford in goals and points. Only 5 minutes of ice time, but looked comfortable out there, albeit relegated to a 4th line role tonight on the big club. Cory Sarich returned to the lineup, logging 10 minutes of time as he is eased back into the lineup. Flames with first 5 game streak in over a calender year. First in the Northwest, and 13 games above .500….news flash, this is a pretty solid team. For some extremely greedy “fans”, those numbers don’t appear to be good enough, as now the wins aren’t “stylish” enough, or suddenly aren’t taken as important, as the playoff record is starting to creep into the pessimist’s conversations. Hogwash.
Next Up
Next up, the second road game in two days, a trip north to Minnesota tomorrow. No legal local television options for those in Calgary, thus head over to your favorite watering hole for the 6:30pm start.
Lines (To Start):
Glencross – Langkow – Iginla
Dawes – Jokinen – Bourque
Nystrom – Boyd – Moss
Sjostrom – Jaffary – Prust
Phaneuf – Regher
Bouwmeester – Giordano
Sarich – Pardy
