A red hot Jarome Iginla is very good news for a Calgary Flames hockey club.
In November, Iginla scorched the NHL and the Flames were the direct recipients of his rage winning night in and night out and moving up the standings. Then he went cold.
Returning from the Olympics, the Flames need points so Iginla’s three goal and four point game in a 5-2 win over Minnesota on Sunday couldn’t come at a better time.
On The Line
Get used to this saying; EVERYTHING. The Red Wings had already beaten the Blackhawks this afternoon meaning a win in Minnesota was simply vital in remaining within one point of a playoff spot. They can’t afford many gaffs the rest of the way.
The Flow
About the best start that the Flames could wish for with Rene Bourque tipping in a Staios shot just 19 seconds into the first period to put the visitors up a goal early. A few minutes later the Flames avoided a two on one narrowly but then reversed the play with Jarome Iginla setting up Mark Giordano and it was two zip. Things settle down from there with Toskala making a few solid stops before the Flames pour it on late and almost get up by three by the buzzer. A wrap over powerplay came up empty for the Flames as little was taken to the net with much danger. An odd call to Regehr soon after he was hooked had me and the broadcast crew scratching their heads. Luckily the Flames managed to kill it off with some help from their new backup goaltender. The Wild get close when Latendresse finds a seam and takes a Havlat pass and slips the puck through Toskala’s pads. Later Iginla restores the lead on a powerplay bullet only to have Latendresse catch the Flames D sleeping and move to within one with a powerplay marker of his own.
A solid and contained start for the Flames in the third period, a good sign as they didn’t look to sit on the lead coming into the final twenty. The Wild got into penalty trouble with about ten to play and the Flames made them pay for it with Iginla’s second of the night, a goal that pretty much put things away. With a minute and change he hits the empty net for the hat trick goal.
Three Stars
1. Jarome Iginla: Three goals for the captain including the game winner in the second and the two breathe easier goals in the third.
2. Rene Bourque: His first four point game in his career as he, Iginla and Matt Stajan started to really click.
3. Guillaume Latendresse: Amazing what a change of scenery can do for a player. Two goals in a losing cause.
Big Save
So many in this game to choose from; Toskala on Zidlicky twice with his left pad, Backstrom on Kotalik later in the second was equally eye popping. Backstrom later on Conroy was a beaut too. Or Backstrom on Iginla with a third period breakaway. For impact go with the latter.
Big Hit
Mark Giordano caught former Flame Chuck Kobasew venturing behind the Flames net with a solid shoulder to shoulder pop in the first period.
The Goat
Owen Nolan and his odd run around in the third period. The game was still very much in doubt when the former Flame lost and essentially gift wrapped the game for the Flames.
Mr. Clutch
Two newcomers that had solid games but couldn’t weasel their way into the three stars. Matt Stajan won key draws, distributed the puck well, and picked up two points in centering the top line. Goaltender Vesa Toskala was solid all night, making big saves and actually winning a hockey game from the back up role!
Odds and Ends
I’ve paid attention to new players in Calgary silks for every season in Calgary; a long way back. I have never had so much trouble remembering jersey numbers and players as I have this week. So much change. Unprecedented change. Crazy. … Getting my head around Steve Staios. Fairly solid dman and a great attitude, his reaction to his assist tonight was telling. Having a lot of fun. … The star defenseman into three above average players motif isn’t coast to coast popular in hockey circles but the moves have done one thing for the Flames; provided line to line fluidity. There just isn’t a hockey player on this team that can’t play. If they could ever get on the same page and roll four they’d be a tough first round opponent. … Something I’ve never seen before; third period Flames down a man puck comes back to the point, defenseman takes it to the middle of the ice to shoot and Daymond Langkow can’t get to him because a linesman is in the way. What was he doing there? Odd. … Some great signs tonight. The Iginla hat trick is obvious. Nine goals in two games is huge. And two powerplay markers all key in giving this team all kinds of spark going into Detroit. That is three wins in four games if you include the game before the Olympics over Anaheim. … Almost as important as keeping pace with Detroit is the fact that the Predators lost in Vancouver. The Flames are now only two points back of the Preds with even games played. Detroit is ramping up, the Predators are Calgary’s playoff ticket.
Next Up
Tuesday night in a very important game the Flames go into Detroit for an 8th place battle with the Red Wings; sportsnet at 5pm.
Lines:
Bourque – Stajan – Iginla
Higgins – Langkow – Kotalik
Hagman – Conroy – Moss
Nystrom – Mayers – Glencross
Regehr – White
Giordano – Sarich
Bouwmeester – Staios
Toskala
