Calgary 4 Montreal 1
Frozen hands, heavy feet, and a prickly cold nipping at their neck. These were the conditions facing the Flames and their fans for last season’s Heritage Classic at unfamiliar and frigid McMahon stadium, the last time the Flames and Canadiens faced off. And although the scene shifted Thursday night to a warm and bustling Bell Center in Montreal for the Hab’s 2011/12 home opener, the Flames were enduring similar sensations thanks to a chilly 0-2 start to their season .
It wasn’t going to get any easier. The Flames haven’t fared well as of late in French territory, dropping five of their last six in La Belle Province. Throw in Montreal’s superb record in home openers, along with their recent dismantling of the prodigal Jets, and the Flames’ odds appeared downright frosty. But as the only visiting team to ever capture the Stanley Cup on Montreal ice, Calgary is used to rising above the occasion against the bleu, blanc et rouge, and tonight was no different as the Flames finally started to warm, skating to a solid 4-1 victory.
On The Line
The bigger the hole you dig early on, the harder the climb out. The Flames would like to avoid an 0-3 start to the season, their worst record since they opened 0-2-1 to begin the 07/08 campaign. And the chance to spoil a Montreal Canadiens’ celebration is always a nice bonus.
The Flow
An inauspicious start as just two minutes in a Cory Sarich broken twig turned a Calgary chance into a Montreal 2 on 1, Andrei Kostitsyn depositing the opening goal from an errant rebound off the end boards. But the Flames were quick to reply. First it was Rene Bourque snapping a quick wrister on the PP over the glove of Price. Then two fortunate bounces, the first finding the stick of Niklas Hagman off a Hab’s skate and again quickly over Price’s glove, the second a puck slapped off Iginla’s stick only to hit Tanguay in stride who deftly fed a streaking Moss in tight. The Flames’ top line almost extended the lead shortly thereafter but a great toe save kept the score 3-1 heading into the 2nd.
The Flames’ 2nd period has been their downfall thus far into this young season, but they emerged from the dressing room with energy and poise to the delight of apprehensive Flames fans. The Canadiens still doubled Calgary’s shot total for the frame, but some timely saves from Kiprusoff and solid work from the PK to kill off a couple of Olli Jokinen penalties kept the Habs off the scoresheet. Back-to-back tenacious forechecking shifts by the flames 2A and 2B lines later in the period led to Bourque’s 2nd of the night and a 4-1 lead as the Flames finally survived the second stanza.
Not exactly the third period the Flames were hoping for, as they tentatively nursed their three goal cushion. But the lopsided shots (12-1 in favour of the Habs) were a little misleading as Calgary narrowly missed some wide open nets to salt the game away. Either way they held on comfortably for their first points of the new season.
Three Stars
- Miikka Kiprusoff: 35 saves, both solid and spectacular, for the Flames’ winningest goaltender in franchise history.
- Rene Bourque: Two goals for the sniper in a concentrated effort.
- David Moss: The Flames “center” finally clicked with the top line (see: Iginla and Tanguay). He looked dangerous all night, leading the team with four shots, and registered his first point while being robbed of a few more.
Big Save
Shortly after the Flames made it 3-1, Price prevented a major case of Déjà Vu by throwing out the left pad and stymieing David Moss off a svelte feed from Tanguay. But give it to Kipper this night, who early in the second snatched a floating puck out of the crease while Gionta swung away like a woodland dwarf.
Big Hit
A rude welcome for Marc Giordano as he was on the receiving end of some solid jolts by Eric Cole and Lars Eller. But the Flames’ physical leader would return the favor in kind when he ran into rookie Aaron Palushaj early in the 2nd.
The Goat
No goat for the Flames tonight, so we’ll look across the ice. When it’s working he looks cool, calm and collected but when it’s not Carey Price’s nonchalant style must drive Habs fans batty. Bobbling pucks and shrugging helplessly as pucks whizzed over his shoulder he didn’t make the big saves early to keep his team in the game. He’ll have to wait for win #100.
Mr. Clutch
A coach usually receives only scrutiny and scorn from the fans, so tonight I’ll sing the praises of Brent Sutter. A lethargic start to the season was quickly addressed and rectified by the Flames’ bench boss. He spent the afternoon in one-on-one meetings with his players, focusing on the improvements needed, and the team responded with a better effort in their first victory of the year. Let’s hope it continues.
Odds and Ends
Anyone else surprised by the opening ceremony? A speedy and subdued initiation, no music, no special effects, just introduction and polite applause. Not what I was expecting from a franchise that loves its ceremonies. Though can’t say I was complaining, and the orchestra anthem was a nice touch… With the win Kiprusoff moves past pending Hall of Famer Mike Vernon into the franchise lead with 263, virtually guaranteeing that one day we’ll see #34 hanging in the rafters beside #30 (#12 might be there too)… The Flames were heavily outshot for the third straight game (36 to 21). A couple fortuitous bounces and opportunistic sniping made the difference, but all around a better effort top to bottom, especially in net… Flames powerplay continues to improve: 0/3 against the Pens, 1/3 versus the Blues, and 2/4 tonight. Now sitting at an impressive 30%… Babchuk was a healthy scratch for the second straight game. You’d believe if he returns with some fire the Flames PP might improve even more… Meanwhile young D-men Smith and Butler are impressing with solid, steady play… For once the Flames are on the right side of a milestone night. Kipper gets the franchise lead in wins and Bourque registers point 100 as a Flame, while Price misses out on his 100th victory… Iginla’s still looking off, but as a whole the top line finally looked like the top line. Very dangerous… Where was the Hab’s top line? No, this isn’t a “short” joke, the hobbits were mostly invisible all night. They better hope Cammalleri makes a speedy recovery. And that Markov can make a recovery: period… And can I just say after a looong summer, it’s nice to bask in another Calgary Flames’ victory. Here’s to many more!
Next Up
Flames travel to Toronto on Saturday to take on Dion Phaneuf’s Maple Leafs in the opening act of CBC’s HNIC. 5 pm start time (MTN).
Lines (To Start):
Tanguay – Moss – Iginla
Glencross – Jokinen – Stempniak
Hagman – Horak – Bourque
Kostopolous – Stajan – Jackman
Giordano – Hannan
Butler – Bouwmeester
Sarich – Smith
