Such a big night for the Flames and the Calgary franchise.
By now the whole country has heard Iginla scored his 500th goal on the strength of a big push third period, but Olli Jokinen had his 1000th game celebration, Lance Bouma scored his first NHL goal, and the Flames found two hugely needed points in a 3-1 win over the Bruins.
Iginla hit a post earlier in the third, in a play that looked to almost have the 500 done, and then may have hit another later as well. Add an attempt at an open net and two huge face off wins and the last 20 minutes of this one were pretty epic in Flames lore.
On The Line
The Flames are in trouble. Falling badly in the past six games has really hurt their season’s hopes and their comeback attempt towards a playoff spot. So the recipe calls for wins, many of them. Starts tonight.
The Flow
The Flames came out flaaaaaat, seriously, seriously flat and almost paid for it when the Wild ran over the home squad early and could have been up a few with physical play and great cycles down low. Calgary found their legs late in the period and evened things out before the end of 20.
The second was a much more even period, perhaps a slight edge to Calgary. Some good chances and great saves from both goaltenders keeps the score tied up at doughnuts through 40.
Third period … all Calgary. The Flames took the last shift of the second (they dominated) as energy that rolled over and resulted in a wall of red pouring towards the Wild net. First Bouma scores (NHL first) to put the team up 1-0, next Iginla scores his 500th off two skates, then Glencross puts it away with a powerplay goal.
Three Stars
1. Jarome Iginla: Wasn’t heading towards a game star in the first two periods, but gets the nod for more than his big goal. Had some chances was tough on the puck and won two late draws that sealed the win.
2. Miikka Kiprusoff: The man has been the team’s best player all season, if he wasn’t as sharp as he was in the game’s first ten minutes and then last 5 the game would have been different.
3. Lance Bouma: Have to give the kid the nod for his first NHL goal, solid all around game.
Big Save
Kiprusoff with another sick save late in the game when he slides on his belly across the crease to get a paddle on a Kyle Brodziak offering as the puck teetered on the goal line. Crazy.
Big Hit
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Early in the game Colton Gillies caught recent call up Clay Wilson watching his pass zoom away and train wrecked the Calgary defenseman behind his cage.
The Goat
The start. The Flames pretty much gave this game away early with a combination of 9-0 blow out uncertainty, post road trip haze, and Olli Jokinen 1000 game celebration leading to the club skating in sand.
Mr. Clutch
Lee Stepniak. The guy was on fire all night. Joined Babchuk with 5 shots on goal, but generated a tonne of offense on his own despite a weakened line and a depleted injury riddled roster.
Odds and Ends
Don Cherry predicted a Calgary win, and an Iginla 500th goal when wrapping up the first telecast tonight. He also threw the Flames a bone for their loss in Boston. Don’t see a lot of Flame love from Cherry so worth noting. … Darryl Reagh is a good addition to the second telecast as a colour guy this season. Still getting used to his voice but he’s spot on with what he adds. .. TJ Brodie’s even score in a 9-0 drubbing was amazing, so he follows it up with a +3 tonight along with partner Cory Sarich. Hmmm … What’s the guess on how much of the Flames youth movement this season would have happened without brutal start, and an injury run? The combination of the two has given the team the opportunity to look at a lot of young players as the club leads the West in man games lost to injury. 32 different player shave suited up for the Flames this season. … Miikka Kiprusoff may be having one of his top seasons in Calgary, his game in and game out consistency has been unbelievable for an iffy squad. … Only 8 players have scored their first 500 NHL goals for the same team, quite an accomplishment for Iginla. Wow.
Next Up
The Flames and Iginla continue on with a home date against the Devils on Tuesday night at 7.30 on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Glencross – Jokinen – Iginla
Bouma – Backlund – Stepniak
Byron – Jones – Comeau
Jackman – Horak – Kotsopolous
Butler – Bouwmeester
Brodie – Sarich
Wilson – Babchuk
Kiprusoff
