What better way to quiet down the all consuming, screeching, over bearing Jarome Iginla trade rumours than for the club to get on a little winning clip.
A three game road trip skid was halted in Minnesota with a convincing win on Sunday night. On Tuesday the Flames were a shadow of their goal scoring prowess in the Twin Cities but were solid in their own zone in carving out a hard fought 1-0 victory on Saddledome ice.
On The Line
You have to start small, with the basics; and with that the Flames return from a dismal 1-3 road trip hoping to put back to back wins together for just the second time this season.
The Flow
The Flames hit home ice with some jump, getting their legs moving and carrying the play early. The Preds wrestle control about 7 minutes in and continue to play puck possession in running up a lead in shots though very few scoring chances. A slow moving 3 on 2 results in a great TJ Brodie pass to fellow defenseman Smith who puts the home side up 1-0 in the period’s only goal.
The second is a little more pedestrian than the first, with no scoring and only a handful of scoring chances. The Flames get a couple of decent chances on a mid period powerplay, Roman Horak hits two goal posts, and Kiprusoff robs Legwand on a two on one, but the score stays 1-0 Flames.
The Flames were even better in the third period as they pushed hard to put the game away but were stymied by the ever present Pekka Rinne in goal. Both goaltenders traded solid saves as the game remained 1-0 as a final.
Three Stars
1. Miikka Kiprusoff: I’m certain he’ll be the first to credit his teammates in this one as the Flames did a great job of limiting chances, and clearing rebounds, but a shut out is a shut out!
2. Pekka Rinne: The busier of the two goaltenders, but gets the second bill because he didn’t post the doughnut.
3. Derek Smith: First NHL goal set up by TJ Brodie. Was huge in filling in with 22 minutes on the ice as both Giordano and Butler (for a spell) go down.
Big Save
Seconds after Roman Horak has a puck hit both goal posts the puck inevitably goes the other way with a two on one for Nashville resulting in a blue chip cross ice pass to David Legwand only to be denied by the typical post to post sliding Miikka Kiprusoff save.
Big Hit
I had Comeau for the Tootoo hit in the first period but his demolish of Jack Hillen in the third cinched it for #10.
The Goat
No goat for the Flames as the whole crew showed up for a complete 60 minute game, though if you really want to poke a stick at something how about the powerplay going zero for November on home ice? Ouch.
Mr. Clutch
Have to go with TJ Brodie for this one. Not enough room in the three star selections to give the rookie a nod, but he was forced to play 19 minutes with Giordano gone, and set up the game winning goal with a sick combination of patience and vision finding Smith.
Odds and Ends
The two biggest faux pas’ by Calgary players on the attack this season are the shooting too quickly (hitting shin pads) or looking so much for the perfect play that ultimately nothing happens. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see the Smith goal tonight set up by a ice veined TJ Brodie. Much like the Jokinen goal he set up in Detroit on the past road trip it was patience and vision; essentially “new NHL” offensive talent, something we just don’t see in Calgary. And once again it proves why I’m not a hockey exec or a pro scout, as his camp looked so meek I thought he needed at least another full season in the AHL. Never mind … For a poor team pretty amazing to hear the Flames are 8-0 when leading after two periods. Not too many 26th place teams are solid protecting leads. … Was shocked to see Roman Horak with only 11 plus minutes of ice time in the game as I thought he was noticeable every time he was on the ice. Probably his best game since his back to back 2 point games earlier this season. … Matt Stajan hit the frozen water for only 8 minutes of ice time tonight (discuss!) … Iginla was one of the plus players in the game as he chips his way back to respectability. He was -11 heading into Minnesota and is now -7. He also had four shots. … Blake Comeau isn’t getting a whole lot done with the puck, but his hussle and physical play certainly stands out. Will take time to find his stick confidence again … What happens if Mark Giordano is gone for six weeks with a hamstring injury? Bad news for the already bleak Flames fortunes, but probably an absolute game changer for TJ Brodie with both Carson and Babchuk nearing return. Derek Smith gets more of an opportunity as well.
Next Up
The Jackets come a calling on Thursday night, 7pm on Sportsnet
Lines:
Glencross – Jokinen – Iginla
Comeau – Backlund – Stepniak
Tanguay – Horak – Bourque
Jackman – Stajan – Kostopoulos
Butler – Bouwmeester
Giordano – Hannan
Smith – Brodie
Kiprusoff
