A two game losing streak shouldn’t be the end of the world, so why pray tell did it feel like that in the Saddledome tonight when Tomas Holmstrom tipped home one of his patented goals with just over a minute to play?
With 13 games left to play, a 2-1 setback on home ice should be far from reversible, but this up and down and down season just doesn’t have that little engine that could feeling to most Calgarians, as the Flames will likely need to find 18 points in their last baker’s dozen to find the playoffs and a matchup with a Western juggernaught.
Doesn’t that sound good?
On The Line
Every game is huge but this one set up as a pretty key game for the Flames in their effort to keep pace with the pacing Predators and leap frog the Red Wings.
The Flow
No point in breaking this one down into three periods as all three were pretty much the same. The Flames played for the squeaker win, or the overtime points pretty much from the drop of the puck. A great behind the net goal by veteran Craig Conroy gave the team a lead, a lead they nursed through a half hockey game only to have a second period powerplay goal by Pavel Datsyuk tie the score.
The third was a back and forth affair to be sure, but the forth from the Wings was artistry, compared to the bumbling chaos of the Flames attack. Jarome Iginla just missed tipping a Wing pass over the defender and out with 80 seconds to play, but the puck stayed in and was put on goal to an awaiting Holmstrom. Game over.
Three Stars
1. Tomas Holmstrom: Scored the game winner on a tip, but was also the key player on Datsyuk’s goal when he arrived in the slot to screen Kiprusoff just before the shot was put on goal.
2. Miikka Kiprusoff: Did everything one player could do to find his team points in this game. No chance on either goal.
3. Jimmy Howard: Wasn’t as busy as his counterpart but solid in picking up the win.
Big Save
So many to choose from in this game, but you have to give Kiprusoff and his cat like reflexes credit when he sprawled in his crease and gobbled up a deflection off his post and into the crease on a Drew Miller shot.
Big Hit
Two great hits both on Wing players. In the second Mark Giordano caught Holmstrom heading to the net and folded him up like camping equipment. In the third Jay Bouwmeester got his hip out on former Flame Todd Bertuzzi sending the cranky winger to the ice.
The Goat
The Flames powerplay. Tie game in the third and a four minute powerplay and all they could muster was two shots on goal; both shots coming in a three second span in the middle. No cohesion, no urgency, no chance.
Mr. Clutch
The Red Wings as a whole. They iced a non-jittery, professional, forward moving road game that clearly out classed the Flames all night.
Odds and Ends
Something has been missing for three years in Calgary. New coaches, a whole new roster and yet still there is something missing. The team just couldn’t find the self confidence to do the things you know they can do with the puck. Why? Anyone’s guess, but games like this don’t win themselves, you need to go get them. They didn’t. … Chris Higgins couldn’t go for Calgary, so Nigel Dawes was reinserted and picked up an assist on the Conroy goal. Not a noticeable game otherwise for the player. … Kiprusoff was brilliant in this game shining more light on that TSN madness that had him “Salo’d” after the Olympics. You guys watching? … Ian White continues to impress me, the guy is just a solid defenseman. … Will Mikael Backlund draw back in for the game in Colorado on Wednesday? A 20 year old shouldn’t be the answer, but the Flames powerplay really needs a game breaker regardless of vintage..
Next Up
Wednesday night in Colorado on TSN, 7pm start.
Lines:
Bourque – Stajan – Iginla
Hagman – Langkow – Kotalik
Dawes – Conroy – Moss
Nystrom – Mayers – Glencross
Regehr – White
Giordano – Sarich
Bouwmeester – Staios
Kiprusoff
