Perhaps the much anticipated and finally delivered Flames Ranger trade is a good idea after all given the display of the “new” chemistry against the Philadelphia Flyers in a lacklustre 3-0 setback on Monday night.
The four new additions from Toronto did little in turning an inconsistent Calgary group into a hard charging force as the Flames appeared to have little by way of energy or push in a game that should have been full of emotion.
It’s one game, and only one game, but if that’s any indication of culture change in Calgary, they had better keep making a deal a day until they get it right.
On The Line
Still in a life and death battle for the final playoff spot or two in the West, the Flames mired in change and chaos took to the ice to try and add to the team’s win over Edmonton on Saturday night.
The Flow
A terrible start for the Flames as they get hemmed in in their own zone with new Flames Ian White running around and taking direction from Robyn Regehr on the fly. Things settled down a couple of shifts later and the Flames likely took the play to the Flyers for the rest of the period.
And that was it for Calgary. A brutal second period with the Flames generating few shots and no chances, and finally fell behind on a Mike Richards goal, the only tally the Flyers would need on the night.
A little better in the third, but the game was essentially over when Jarome Iginla coughed up the puck in his own zone creating an odd man rush and a 2-0 Flyer lead. The Flames never really challenged after that.
Three Stars
1. Mike Richards: Got the Flyers going with a second period goal, the game winner then added a second in the third.
2. Simon Gagne : Two assists and four shots on goal for the now suddenly healthy Flyer veteran.
3. Ray Emery: Didn’t get tested a whole lot but a shut out is a shut out.
Big Save
Never got the number on the Flyer player, but a less than quick rebound attempt in the first period towards the Flames’ cage was turned aside by an athletic stretch by Mikka Kiprusoff. The shot wasn’t blazing by any means, but unreal to see the stopper’s ability to cover the bottom of the net.
Big Hit
Former Flame Olli Jokinen got in deep and crunched Coburn behind the net with only a few minutes left on the clock. Lots of emotion in that hit for a player that likely wanted to stay in Calgary.
The Goat
Jarome Iginla and his second period cough up. He simply has to be better. one goal game in the third period and he turns the puck over unforced and essentially ends the game.
Mr. Clutch
I’ll give it to the best of the Leafs, Niklas Hagman. Lots of energy, and some pretty good hands and moves in tight. The guy can play, but needs to find someone to play with, a tough call tonight at the Saddledome.
Odds and Ends
Ian White had a rough start but started to settle down as time went on. He’s good jumping into the play, but needs to make better reads defensively as he was caught flat footed on a few occasions not seeing the puck about to be turned over. I thought Jamal Mayers was a good feisty touch to the Flames roster. Tried to get Carcillo to fight but was rebuked twice. Matt Stajan had a solid start, but wilted with his teammates. … Robyn Regehr played one of his best games of the season, which was interesting. Could be a coincidence, or is it a guy happy to have a new defense pairing?
Next Up
Wednesday night the Carolina Hurricanes come to town to play the ever changing Flames.
Lines:
Hagman – Jokinen – Lundmark
Glencross – Langkow- Bourque
Boyd – Stajan – Iginla
Nystrom – Prust – Mayers
Regehr – White
Giordano – Bouwmeester
Pardy – Johnson
Kiprusoff
