Have you located the panic button yet?
The Calgary Flames return home tonight, after a road trip that was one period away from being considered a success. Oh, how only twenty minutes of hockey in a young season can be the difference between elation and hysteria…
I say this partially in jest, but for the first time in my life I can admit to being jealous of Oilers fans.
(Okay, I take it back. I can’t admit that under any circumstance. It’s against my moral fabric…)
We’re a meager four games into a new season, and already it’s hard to not get the impression that these “kids” known as the Edmonton Oilers can do no wrong. If they lose, it’s a learning experience and when they win it’s celebrated as if we’re witnessing the rebirth of a dominant Oilers team from the 1980’s.
The Flames, on the other hand, are being treated as though funeral plans are already in progress. They begin their longest home stand of the season, hosting the media darlings from up north in the first of six games at the Saddledome.
I am not implying that Edmonton fans do not have reason to be very excited about the future (of their hockey team…). It is worth a reminder, however, that on this very day last year division leaders included the New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars.
Put the button down.
On The Line
It’s the first edition of the Battle of Alberta, and the opportunity to temporarily silence the many critics whose fangs have already begun to show. While the rivalry has tempered over the years, anytime the Oilers come to town a buzz is sure to follow. The Flames must get back into the win column before things spiral out of the media’s control…
The Flow
The Oilers looked poised early on, while Calgary showed the typical signs of rust that seem to accompany the return home after a road trip. Miikka Kiprusoff was the exception, shutting the door on a Shawn Horcoff rebound in the first shift of the game. Shortly afterwards, he robbed some rookie by the name of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with a great toe save just right of the net. Tim Jackman took an undisciplined penalty, and the Edmonton powerplay went to work immediately. Newcomer Corey Potter faked a shot at the top of the blue line, before feeding Tom Gilbert who beat Kiprusoff on the glove side. Jay Bouwmeester appeared to at least slightly screen his goalkeeper on the play. Play would settle down and the Oilers took a one goal lead to the dressing room after one.
The second period saw a Flames team take over puck possession and territorial play, although real scoring chances were hard to come by. For the first time, the Oilers showed the signs of a team playing their third game in four nights. Jarome Iginla excited fans with a partial breakwaway, and later on found a streaking Olli Jokinen for the best scoring chance of the evening. The Finn was the Flames best skater most of the night, although his rebound off the post likely earned face palms and curse words from Calgary to wherever Calgaryboy was watching the game.
Calgary continued to take it to a tired Oilers team in the third period, but were again haunted by a lack of crisp passing and heads up play in the offensive zone. They were successful in possessing the puck down low, but more often than not errant plays and fancy passing allowed the Oilers to clear the zone. Things were beginning to look grim for the home side until Jay Bouwmeester showcased his ability to jump into the rush, and took a shot through traffic that finally beat Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk. The late goal immediately sparked the previously flustered Flames, and less than two minutes later Alex Tanguay scored his first of the season on a rebound from a Cory Sarich point shot. Mikka Kiprusoff, like he’s done so many times before, bailed his team out with a highlight reel toe save off Anton Lander in the dying seconds to give the Flames the win.
Three Stars
- Olli Jokinen:When the Flames reacquired the awkward Finn two summers ago, most Flames fans reacted with astonishment and disregard. Through five games this season, he has been the team’s most consistent forward and his line continues to generate the majority of even strength scoring chances.
- Brendan Morrison: His 14 minutes of ice time after not playing for over six months were solid. His work in the face off dot was down right impressive.
- Curtis Glencross: Jokinen’s linemate put forth another solid effort and looks determined to increase his stats from last season.
Big Save
Although the Flames played well in the last five minutes, once again it was Kiprusoff stealing the game in the final seconds. Young Swedish prospect Anton Lander had the opportunity to tie things for the visitors, before Kiprusoff kicked out his right toe at the last moment to seal the win.
Big Hit
Considering it is the Battle of Alberta, the game was devoid of the type of hit that makes a person cringe. Credit, however, to the Flames defenseman who were physical against Hopkins and Eberle all evening. Right before Kiprusoff’s save in the remaining seconds, Jeff Hannan man handled Ryan Smyth down low, taking the former Oiler’s captain to the ice.
The Goat
Jarome Iginla. I understand that he missed the preseason, but the captain still seems to be missing the jump and ability to find open ice that makes him so effective. His chemistry with Tanguay was simply not there tonight and had the Flames not earned the win, his play would likely have garnered more criticism. That said, he’ll get it going.
Mr. Clutch
Alex Tanguay. He showed the hockey sense that has made him so valuable, sliding off to the open slot to score the Flames winning goal. Despite Iginla’s slow start, Tanguay now has five points in five games and has shown why Feaster made his signing this summer a priority.
Odds and Ends
The Flames dominance of their provincial rival continues. The win marks is their sixth straight against the Oilers, and the 9th consecutive win at home. Beat it kids… Ryan Smyth went goalless for his 7th consecutive game against Calgary. It just feels right seeing Smitty in Oilers silks again… Depending on your point of view, fans were either excited or disappointed when Taylor Hall did not dress tonight due to illness. Instead the Oil dressed seven defenseman… Roman Horak and Tom Kostopolous were healthy scratches tonight. Meanwhile, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond made his Flames debut, finishing with less than three minutes of TOI. Let’s hope this trend does NOT continue. The Flames are better developing a prospect, than investing in a less than one dimensional tough guy that can’t earn a regular shift… Speaking of which, I would love to hear Brent Sutter’s explanation of why he put Jackman and PL3 on the ice after a tired Oilers team iced the puck yet again in the second period… Not sure how many people caught Darren Dreger during the intermission of the Habs game. I respect Dreger, but his statement that Feaster will not sit around and accept a slow start, and further insistence that teams are inquiring about the services of Rene Bourque are a little premature and exaggerated.
Next Up
The Flames play their second of six straight home games, hosting the New York Rangers for the only time this season. To Flames fans pleasure and chagrin, Tim Erixon will not be in the line up as he spends some deserved time in the AHL. Puck drops at 7 PM.
Lines (To Start):
Tanguay – Moss- Iginla
Glencross – Jokinen – Stempniak
Bourque- Morrison – Hagman
Leblond – Stajan – Jackman
Giordano – Hannan
Bouwmeester – Butler
Smith – Sarich
Kiprusoff
