Are expectations too high for the 2011/12 Calgary Flames? Three games into a very young NHL campaign, a disappointing 1-2 record has the city buzzing with trade talk and speculation that this season will be a wash for our hometown heroes. It’s not so much the record itself that’s bothering people as the feeling that we’ve seen this movie before and really don’t like how it ends. Will the ship right itself? Are the naysayers correct? Should Feaster have burned this team to the ground in the offseason, or is his “gradual rebuild” process the right one? It’s almost ridiculous that those discussions are even taking place after only three games, but after two long summers with no playoff hockey on Saddledome ice, to say that this year’s squad is playing under a microscope may very well be the understatement of the year. A win in Toronto could bring the Flames record to 2-2 and possibly help to quiet some of the persistent questions that swirl with the autumn leaves along the streets of Calgary.
On The Line
The Flames with a chance to crawl back to .500 and go back home with a winning record on their 3-game road trip. It may not be time to hit the panic button yet, but this team needs to start winning some games if they want to avoid the slow start that ultimately proved to be their undoing last year.
The Flow
A scrambly start to the game found the Flames struggling to clear their own zone several times, until Curtis Glencross banged home a nifty wraparound pass from Lee Stempniak that found the back of the net and also registered Calgary’s first shot on goal. The goal seemed to spark the Flames, with Iginla and Tanguay creating a great chance that they unfortunately couldn’t convert on. 1:22 later, Hagman’s pass found Scott Hannan for a heavy wrister that found the back of the net. The Flames dodged a bullet on the play as Rene Bourque was clearly offside but the officials somehow didn’t notice. Two untimely penalties to mark Giordano (tripping) and Lee Stempniak (slashing) gave the Leafs a brief 5 on 3, but the best scoring chances were shorthanded shots from Bourque and Glencross. The Flames managed to kill the penalties but had no shots on goal in the final 8 minutes of the period.
The 2nd period has been the Flames’ Achilles heel so far this year, and tonight was no exception. A missed chance for Iginla quickly went the other way, with Kessel feeding Lupul for a nifty shot that sneaked under Kiprusoff’s glove to pull the Leafs within one. The Flames didn’t roll over, but strong play from Reimer (and his crossbar) prevented them from adding to their lead. Ultimately it was Iginla being victimized again when Tyler Bozak picked his pocket and zipped a quick pass to a streaking Phil Kessel, who beat Butler to the outside and snapped a high shot over Kiprusoff to tie it up at 2.
41 seconds into the 3rd, Kessel would find the twine again when his pass through the slot bounced off of Stempniak’s skate and into the Calgary net for what would turn out to be the game winner. The Flames looked rattled for a few minutes after the goal but were able to avoid falling further behind and eventually gained back some momentum of their own. Unfortunately, Reimer was solid when needed and was able to preserve the lead. Continued strong play from the Jokinen / Glencross / Stempniak line and a late surge from Iginla made things interesting, but the Leafs would hang on for a 3-2 victory.
Three Stars
- Phil Kessel: 2 goals and an assist from a guy who was dangerous every time he was on the ice. The Flames just didn’t seem to have an answer for his speed and skill.
- Olli Jokinen: Bagged an assist and led the team with 5 shots on goal, one of which would have been a tally if not for a great save by Reimer. Played a solid two way game and really seems to have finally found his game again.
- James Reimer: Didn’t have to be spectacular but was solid for the Leafs when needed. Robbed Jokinen in the 2nd and held the Flames at bay when they attempted to push back in the 3rd.
Big Save
With 25 seconds left in the 2nd period and the score tied 2-2, Mikka Kiprusoff robbed Joffrey Lupul with a nifty toe save to keep the game knotted up going into the intermission.
Big Hit
Aside from the customary commonplace bumps, it wasn’t an overly physical game. Mike Brown and Tom Kostopoulos went toe-to-toe early in the second period in a mediocre scrap that Kostopoulos got the worst of. A big raspberry award to the CBC broadcasting crew for replaying an “excellent hit” clip of Dion Phaneuf running a Flames player into the end boards from behind. No penalty was called on the play, but it should have been a clear example of the kind of dangerous play that doesn’t belong in the NHL.
The Goat
The Flames top line of Alex Tanguay, David Moss, and Jarome Iginla get to share goat duties tonight. Zero points from the so-called big guns. Tanguay looked to be fighting the puck all night, and his inability to keep the puck in the offensive zone while manning the point was a big reason why the Flames PP sputtered. Iginla showed some life late in the game, but it was too little too late. Moss can be an effective player when used in the right context, but first line centre is not that context. If the Flames expect to win many games this season, this line HAS to be better.
Mr. Clutch
Phil Kessel. He was all over the ice, in the right places at the right times, and paced his team to the win with two goals. Unfortunately, he was wearing blue jersey. This game was well within reach for the Flames if they had only had someone willing to step up and make the difference; but instead it was defined more by the lack of a clutch player wearing the flaming C.
Odds and Ends
Roman Horak is a very smart hockey player. He shows very good poise and vision for a rookie, even if that hasn’t translated into offensive results yet. The kid doesn’t throw the puck around carelessly, is relatively cool under pressure, and makes some very solid yet creative plays. Excellent pickup by Feaster and I hope he sticks because he has been very impressive so far – The Flames finally outshot their opposition, but not without a strange twist: after the first period they led 2-0 on the scoreboard but trailed 9-8 on the shot clock. They would outshoot the Leafs 24-16 over the final two periods but end up giving up three goals without scoring another one of their own – Niklas Hagman has to be getting frustrated. He hasn’t played badly but just can’t seem to bury his chances. Collected an assist tonight, but could have easily had two goals – Olli Jokinen has been arguably the best Flames player over the first 4 games. Here’s hoping he has a monster season.
Next Up
The Battle of Alberta is on, as the Flames head home to the ‘dome and look to rebound against the 1-1-1 Edmonton Oilers. Game time is 7:30 MST.
Lines (To Start):
Tanguay – Moss – Iginla
Glencross – Jokinen – Stempniak
Hagman – Stajan – Bourque
Kostopoulos – Horak – Jackman
Butler – Bouwmeester
Giordano – Hannan
Sarich -Babchuk
