The Calgary Flames are once again walking that tight rope. Decent efforts last week on the road in most of the 4 games, were rewarded with a measly two points, putting this team back on its heels just as it looked to be coming out of its early season funk. Throw in some highly dubious refereeing on Sunday, and a couple roster moves precipitated by an injury and suspension in that game, and it was a frustrating night all around. Tonight, the Flames play the Wild, sporting a similar 0-2-2 record in their last 4, however the Minnesotans much higher up the standings from the home Flames. The last game between the teams saw a surprising Flames win, as they broke the 8 game streak the Wild held over them. This writer recalls not so long ago when the Flames had the Wild’s number for a season and a half, Flames fans hope that trend continues tonight to get the team back in the win column.
On The Line
On the line, the Flames have only a few days of home holiday cooking to take in, before a trip to Vancouver, and then a further 7 game post-Christmas road trip. Three of the toughest teams in the conference cannot phase this team as the last 4 games have only garnered 4 points, after points in 5 of 6 previous to that. This team needs to get back on the right track before it goes all haywire again. For Flames fans, used to seeing a lot of holiday NHL hockey in Calgary, this year is an exception. As Jarome Iginla chases 500 goals and history, it would be a nice Christmas present for the best Flames player in history, and his fans, for him to get that 500th goal at home, not in a half empty building in Uniondale in a week or so as the Flames are away from home for 3 long weeks. Tonight may get him closer to that feat.
The Flow
The game started as 12 have this year, with a first Flames goal. Just over 2 minutes in, Jarome Iginla enters the zone and settles along the half wall, waiting for Curtis Glencross to get open in the slot. Iginla finds him, and Glencross goes to the net and roofs a backhand over Josh Harding. Credit has to go to Jay Bouwmeester; who’s early join of the rush had him stationed in front of the Minnesota net as a 6″4 screen, which certainly helped the Flames surge ahead. About 4 minutes later, an innocent shot off a faceoff for the Wild ends in the high shot falling out of Miikka Kiprusoff’s equipment, and right at the feet of Pierre Marc-Bouchard, who slides around Kiprusoff and ties the game at 1. The Wild get the next couple chances, highlighted by a Dany Heatly wrist shot in the low slot, prompting a Kiprusoff key blocker save. A few other first period highlights included a Tim Jackman/Brad Staubitz tilt, where Jackman gets a previous cut opened up and scolds Stuabitz after an otherwise pedantic tussle. Mikael Backlund draws a penalty late in the first, Jarome Iginla with the best Flames chance on the powerplay, unable to convert a deflected clearance after a scrambling Josh Harding and Wild defense managed to keep the puck out. The rest of the Flames powerplay stalls, and the period ends knotted at 1-1, the Wild with a 13-11 shot advantage in a scrambly period.
The early stages of the second were highlighted by a Tom Kostopolous and Clayton Stoner fight, where the Flames #16 knocks down Stoner with a solid punch on the nose. The Flames carry that momentum, creating a good scoring chance that draws a slashing penalty. The Flames get their seemingly one -and-done chance on the PP. However, with the penalty having ended, the puck stays in the Wild zone, and Jarome Iginla finds himself in front of the net. A couple whacks at the loose puck and Iginla pots goal #13 and #497 in his career. The Flames continue their momentum, a pretty passing play results in having Harding have to kick out the leg to stop Jay Bouwmeester. The Wild have a brief period in the Flames zone, but the Flames look in control, Jarome Iginla with a couple more chances, and you just get the feeling his scoring isn’t done for the evening. The period ends, with the Flames looking comfortable, dominating the Wild in shots in the 2nd period 13-4, to lead 24-17. The Flames likely deserve another goal in that period, based on the run of play.
The final frame begins slowly, but Minnesota has a bit more of a jump then the first two periods. Dany Heatley with a couple chances on Kiprusoff once again, the Calgary goaltender looking confident. The Flames catch their stride, the top Iginla line responds with some chances of their own. Cory Sarich gives the Wild their first powerplay, with a late, somewhat questionable elbow on Uber-pest Cal Clutterbuck. The Flames look confident in killing the penalty. Kiprusoff makes the subtle save both on the PP and afterwards, as teams exchange half chances in a tight checking third. Dany Heatley looking like the best Wild forward, but he’s continued to be stifled by a stingy Flames defense allowing only once chance on net most of the time. The period slowly winds down, the Flames continuing to look solid. However, with 2 and a half minutes, Olli Jokinen gets a interference call, and Flames fans have seen this story before. But, as was the case all game, the Flames look confident in their coverage at the points and in front of the net and Kiprusoff there for every save. The penalty is killed, and after an half chance at an open net, and a slip by Curtis Glencross, Jokinen is solid on the back check, hacking on Dany Heatley just as he’s about to fire from the high slot. A good penalty, the Flames clear the resultant faceoff, and seal the victory. Solid effort by the Flames, and win that tight game. Shots end up 30-30 after 60 minutes.
Three Stars
- Jarome Iginla: Two points, 4 game streak. Great setup, tenacity to get the goal. A few other solid chances in the second period. Shame he wasn’t rewarded with another goal from all that buzzing around the net.
- Miikka Kiprusoff: No highlight reel saves, just quality saves all night. This writer says it all the time, but he makes those difficult saves, such as ones on Heatley and Matt Cullen, look very routine, when they are not.
- Olli Jokinen: Clearly Jokinen and Iginla have gotten on the same page this season. They have become complimentary players, and are a formidable duo along with the speedy Glencross. Brought the Flames back in two games on the road with goals, part of the 4 game point streak he’s on right now. Penalties taken tonight were defense first, the second penalty taking away a great scoring chance away from Dany Heatley.
Big Save
Miika Kiprusoff’s blocker was on, saves on Dany Heatley in the first, and Matt Cullen in the waning minutes of the third, maintains the lead the Flames had amassed.
Big Hit
Tom Kostopolus with a solid right to the nose of Clayton Stoner, knocking him down reminiscent of Kostopolous’ knock down of Kevin Bieska last season.
Mr. Clutch
Jarome Iginla really feeling it these days. You can watch him with the puck, or without the puck tonight, he’s involved and looking for offense every shift this evening. That carrot of #500 and the Flames franchise mark of #501 are within sight and smell, and one can bet Iginla wants to get that as soon as possible.
Odds and Ends
Happy Hanukkah to all our readers who celebrate the holiday.Good two points by the Flames, a solid game on all accounts. Well disciplined as far as playing with the system, even if the top line had the best chances of the game. Thus, that solid all around effort allowed ice time to be very evenly spread through the roster. Iginla 3 away from .500. A storybook moment on Thursday? If not, he’s likely to get it on the road, as he had most of his milestone goals and points. Roger Millions provided two fun facts….Iginla was acquired by the Flames 16 years ago yesterday. Plus, the Flames have scored first in 13 of 35 games. Finally, the Flames Sportsnet reporter discloses that the Flames Mark Giordano is going to be skating tomorrow, and clearly, possibly ready long before the initial time frame expected. Jokinen points in 4 straight. Flames win the faceoff battle, clearly. Flames 6-0-1 in last 7 at home sweet home. Each of the Flames centers over 50%, Morrison at a sizzling 78%. Glencross continuing the solid play from last year, the new contract hasn’t stifled his aggression or skill. Backlund looks to be out of the dog house with a solid game, consistency in playing with skill, and being on the edge with a bit more aggression going to be his key, as it has since the outset of the season.
Next Up
The Flames continue on the Road to Christmas, and the 3 games in 4 nights, by hosting the always pesky Red Wings. Thursday night, 7:30 on TSN and the Fan 960.
Lines (To Start):
Glencross – Jokinen – Iginla
Tanguay – Backlund – Stempniak
Byron – Horak – Comeau
Kostopolus – Horak – Jackman
Bouwmeester – Butler
Sarich – Hannan
Brodie – Smith
