The Flames have suffered through an interesting season.
Interesting in that they have actually played better hockey this season than one would assume, at least in comparison to previous seasons where they’ve been atrocious for large sections in the first half. Another case in point in Washington tonight where the Flames ice a picture perfect road game, limit the hosts to just 21 shots on goal, but get beat on special teams and drop a 3-1 decision.
On The Line
Some misteps on the road can be rectified by finishing strong with four big points in the six game trip’s hardest two buildings. Tough order? Of course, but then that’s what you get when you drop a game on Long Island and blow a three goal lead in Ottawa.
The Flow
Tough start for the Flames when a Rene Bourque penalty leads to a quick powerplay goal by Alex Ovechkin. Things settle down from there for the Flames and the push back but the period ends with a 1-0 Caps lead.
Second period is a much more solid stanza for the Flames, as they enjoy the better of the play. The Caps get another powerplay and double their lead but Curtis Glencross takes a great Iginla feed and brings the Flames closer. A late period Sarich/Hannan flub leads to the Caps third goal of the game effectively putting this one away.
Third period, pretty uneventful with the Flames out shooting the Caps as their hosts sit back and try to wind out the clock.
Three Stars
1. Niclas Backstrom: Three assists and an ability to shake off a Rene Bourque elbow in the third.
2. Marcus Johansson: Two assists and all kinds of jump in his play.
3. Alex Ovechkin: Scores the all important first goal of the game and adds an assist in the second.
Big Save
You can take your pick of second period saves by Tomas Vokoun with the game hanging in the balance. His biggest on Olli Jokinen set the table for his team to find their legs and push the game out of reach.
Big Hit
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Cory Sarich tracked Cap star Alex Ovechkin down as he strafed after his own chip in on the second period, Sarich plastering #8 against the corner dasher.
The Goat
Rene Bourque. The Flames may have recovered from a tough start to settle down and play a semi solid road game but you can’t come out and take needless penalties on the road on your first shift. Unforgivable.
Mr. Clutch
TJ Brodie … just love watching the kid play. Like a water bug he’s always moving and making things happen. Picked up an assist by chipping the puck to Iginla on the Glencross goal.
Odds and Ends
Have to hand it to the Caps telecast group, they present the most unbiased, focused crew I’ve seen on American tv in my travels. They show knowledge of the visitors and call a really unbiased reasoned game. … TJ Brodie reminds me a bit of Gary Suter. Similar size, similar lateral mobility, offensive instincts. Suter was more aggressive offensively, and Brodie is a better skater but they play a similar style … Wouldn’t it be neat to see a man games lost stat that is calibrated to players lost that matter? I’m not saying this to be mean to the Flames and the fact that they lead the West in man games lost but an injury to Tanguay and Giordano is significant while injuries to Stajan and Babchuck are less so … just saying … The Flames are now 4 points of a playoff spot (the bad) but the good is the number of home games they have in hand on the teams they are chasing. They have one on Phoenix, two on Dallas, three on San Jose, and six on Colorado. … Interesting stat; the only skater in the team’s top ten in ice time with a positive plus minus this season? Chris Butler at +3.
Next Up
The Flames finish up their 6 game world junior road trip with a stop in Boston; game time 5pm Sportsnet.
Lines:
Glencross – Jokinen – Iginla
Comeau – Backlund – Stepniak
Byron – Horak – Bourque
Jackman – Morrison – Kotsopolous
Hannan – Bouwmeester
Butler – Sarich
Brodie – Babchuk
Kiprusoff
