Isn’t it fun to watch a solid hockey team play hockey?
The Flames came out strong (save for a quick short handed situation and a Wild goal) start, a strong middle, and a strong end in what may be the most complete game of their season; a 5-2 Flames win in Minnesota.
The Flames shuffled up their lines and were dominant from coast to coast in what seems like a teaser after their recent 60 minute efforts.
On The Line
This category depends more and more on how you see the season. Optimist would said salvage a road trip with a face saving victory and preserve the chance of staying in the race towards a playoff spot. Optimist (realist) would say lose it!; you`re better off drifting further back and getting a better draft spot!
The Flow
Very odd first period with the Giordano taking an early penalty resulting in an early Minny powerplay goal, but then a huge Flames rebound resulting in a 3-2 Calgary margin after 20 with the Flames clearly outplaying their hosts.
Second period more or less the same for Calgary; they push the issue, lost of shots on the net, and some pretty solid defense. Overall a solid period, but no change in the score.
Oddly enough all Calgary again in the third period as the upstart Wild continue to flounder and the Flames of 2011 find a different gear and go on the attack. The Flames add two to their lead and cruise to a victory in what might be their most complete game of the season.
Three Stars
1. Lee Stepniak: Scored a goal (fantastic fashion), hit a post, and continued his strong play.
2. TJ Brodie: First NHL goal and continued solid NHL presence for the young blueliner.
3. Mark Giordano: Scored a huge goal to tie things up and led the Flames in icetime.
Big Save
Odd game for goaltenders, but Hardy was solid when he stopped Rene Bourque point blank with a cross ice one timer early in the second period.
Big Hit
Colton Gillies caught Mark Giordano trying to lag the puck wide through the neutral zone and stood him up abruptly at the center line in the second period.
The Goat
No Calgary goats, the team was money from coast to coast in maybe their most complete road game of the season. Still trying to understand if the Flames were that good or Minny that flat.
Mr. Clutch
x
Odds and Ends
Reason 31 that I`m not a hockey scout? (yes I’ve had 30 of these maybe more) TJ Brodie. Terrible camp compared to last season where it was clear he was special. Goes down this season and works on his game, and then gets recalled in the Flame’s swoon this winter and BOOM he’s ready. Clearly ready. First NHL goal tonight which is great, but such an overall solid game you just know they need to make room for this guy when both Babchuk and Carlson come back … Have to hand it to the Flames in this one as they pretty much outplayed the Wild from coast to coast making one wonder if they found that Chicago game or if the Wild just laid out a stinker … late on Alex Tanguay was shaken up and went to the dressing room … Is it me or is it odd that the Flames let that first line flounder that long again when Glencross, Iginla and Jokinen had such a solid game in Detroit a month ago? Hmmmm … 11 different players had a single point in this one, and no player had 2 points, that’s a stat.
Next Up
Flames return to Calgary for a set on Tuesday night against the Predators; 730pm TSN.
Lines:
Backlund – Jokinen – Iginla
Comeau – Backlund – Stepniak
Tanguay – Horak – Bourque
Jackman – Stajan – Kostopoulos
Butler – Bouwmeester
Giordano – Hannan
Smith – Brodie
Kiprusoff
