As we learned last year it’s a very tall task to dig a hockey team out of a first quarter hole. The Flames, somewhat ambivalent to that fact continue their hot hand by besting the Oilers 3-0 on HNIC for the second straight Saturday to run their record to 6-1-1 in the last 8 games, a streak that is starting to add up.
The road back is a tough one, but at very least they are making things interesting heading towards Christmas and some nasty road work. I won’t lie … fun hockey to watch.
On The Line
A great chance to reel in a team just above Calgary, as the Flames could move to within a point of the Oilers with a win in regulation time. The Flames sit three points out of a playoff spot so if they have any aims on a cinderella story again this year it may as well start tonight.
The Flow
Fairly inconsequential start to the game with the puck moving back and forth but neither team getting much by way of scoring chances. The Oilers get on an early powerplay and move the puck around well at times, but once again nothing in the blue chip category. The Flames generate all kinds of physical play down low and the cycle generates a few chances before their own powerplay saps away their momentum.
More of the same in the second, with the Flames pushing the play down low but not getting any great scoring chances. The turning point in the period seemed to come on an Olli Jokinen four minute penalty where the Flame’s PK stands tall and gains momentum for the homeside. The result is a quick powerplay goal for the Flames right after. The Flames look to finish the period on a powerplay but Jokinen gets caught with an interference call making it four on four. The Flames strike when even when Iginla orchestrates then finishes a one timer to make it 2-0 after two.
Third period is sound for the Flames as they limit the Oiler chances and keep the puck to the outside. The period rolls on with a game very much like the Colorado game on Thursday night; the Flames very solid in their own zone and happy to run the clock out. Iginla finishes things appropriately with an empty netter.
Three Stars
1. Jarome Iginla: Shows up in a bad mood and takes it out on the Oilers to the tune of two goals and a lot of hostility.
2. Devan Dubnyk: The reason this one wasn’t a laugher. The Calgarian had to be very good through two periods to make the third period somewhat interesting.
3. Miikka Kiprusoff: Wasn’t all that busy but posted the shut out on a Saturday night, his second goose of the season.
Big Save
Kiprusoff flubs a flipped in puck in the first, passing the biscuit straight to Edmonton’s Jones who wires one glove side only to have the furious Fin flash his leather to take the sure goal away.
Big Hit
A feisty Jarome Iginla essentially trips two Oilers (Ryan Smyth and Petry) but you have to find a way to give Iginla the hit of the night given the snarl in his game tonight.
The Goat
Clearly there isn’t one for the Flames as they show up for 60 minutes and show how much they wanted this one. I’ll look to the other side and give it to Gagner for nuking momentum with ill timed penalties twice.
Mr. Clutch
Derreck Smith. The OLD ROOKIE was very good transitioning the puck out of his own zone, got an assist on the game winner and was very good moving the puck around the ice all night. Good hockey player.
Odds and Ends
Always good to see the captain showing up in a hostile mood; Iginla was all grump early with a crochchecking penalty and some ill temper after every whistle in the first period. … Is it me or does the HNIC crew really really want an Iginla controversy in Calgary? The angry captain not starting the powerplay bit from Simpson seemed a little over the top. … The one thing you noticed the past two Saturday nights, the Flames have gotten a lot quicker. Not 18 and 19 year old quicker but certainly quicker. Hats off to Feaster? …. Does Calgary have one of the best fourth lines in hockey? Digging a bit deep for a bragging point I agree, but man can Kostopolous and Jackman work their magic. … Really like the classic red jerseys. Would love to see them go to them full time. If that’s not the case though I think the current home jerseys with white numbers surrounded in black and yellow would be a good compromise. … Is it me or does Derreck Smith look less and less like filler every game out? … My theory? The Flames are better with young defensemen in the lineup because the forwards are less lazy. Better backside pressure. Less instances of forwards blowing the zone. Who knew that injuries to the blueline and a Regehr trade were required. … Speaking of young D, unmistakable difference with the speed of puck movement and options with Brodie and Smith in the lineup. No more off the glass. Patience and options. … Loved Ryan Jones going to the bench to get a new stick in the third when he broke his killing a penalty. Have always thought it better to leave for 4 seconds then spend 30 seconds like a tool without a stick trying to block passing lanes. … The Oilers have some solid young forwards, the whole planet knows that, but the Flames have really outplayed this team in back to back Saturdays there is little doubt. The Oilers need to develop some blueliners or perhaps move a forward stud for a stud blueliner. They’re top heavy.
Next Up
Tuesday night the Flames start a four game road trip in Nashville against the Preds; game time 6.00pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Glencross – Jokinen – Iginla
Comeau – Backlund – Stepniak
Bourque – Morrison – Nemisz
Jackman – Stajan – Kostopoulos
Butler – Bouwmeester
Smith – Hannan
Piskula – Brodie
Kiprusoff
