The stretch drive. If one was asked what the average Flame fan would hope for coming off an all star break in 2012 the easy answer would be a sewed up playoff position. Would that be realistic? Likely not.
So being within 3 points of a playoff spot simply can’t be a bad thing, which was exactly the position the Flames found themselves hosting the league’s best Red Wings on Tuesday night. Win or find points in the next two (next up is Chicago at the Dome on Friday night) and they are off to the races..
Sadly plans are plans and reality is reality, and 37 minutes of solid hockey just isn’t enough to beat a team the caliber of the Detroit Red Wings. They held in, they had their moments but in the end skill and poise won out to the tune of a 3-1 Wings victory on Saddledome ice.
On The Line
The Flames will have to win at least 20 of their remaining 33 games to have a sniff at a playoff spot. They have the advantage of 19 games on home ice which helps., but the disadvantage of starting the grind against Detroit and Chicago on home ice. They need two or three points in these games.
The Flow
Very flat period to start from the the homeside with the Wings clearly the best of two lethargic clubs readjusting to post all star hockey. The Wings had two to three scoring chances and finally found the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead through 20.
The second? Pretty much all Calgary. The Flames pushed the issue hard through the middle stanza and were rewarded when Mike Cammalleri found a powerplay rebound in the slot and backhanded the puck past Howard to square things at one. More chances for the Flames in the period but bad finishing skills and Howard was the difference.
The third period was a back and forth period but one that separated the pretenders from the contenders; the Wings found a way to win the hockey game as good teams do, scoring twice in the final 20 to salt things away.
Three Stars
1.Nik Lidstrom: I have a personal rule when it comes to Red Wings games against Calgary; the tie goes to Lidstrom. 25 minutes of ice time and a team high share of +2 gives the legend the nod in a non-descript game.
2. Mike Cammalleri: Had four shots on goal and scored the Flames goal so give the pint sized (this dude is not 5’9″) the edge.
3. Ian White: Lidstrom’s parter and former Flame has similar stats to his warrior blueline copatriot.
Big Save
Didn’t catch the name of the bus but the late first period bang bang on Kiprusoff was shear larceny; how the man got across to snuff that out is beyond me. Some video review made it tense but give the guy credit for never giving up on the play.
Big Hit
Was there one? Honestly? I liked the Commodore – Jackman fight for action but I can’t fathom an actual body check in this hockey game. Pass.
The Goat
Calgary skill. They didn’t show. Tanguay, Iginla, Jokinen, Cammalleri … nothing on the Richter Scale at all for chances or pressure or momentum. Brutal to be honest.
Mr. Clutch
Miikka Kiprusoff wasn’t a game star in this one, but he could have been without a couple of bang bang rebound plays in the third period. The man came a red whiskers edge from stealing this one as the game was tied at one through two periods. The team’s MVP all season.
Odds and Ends
The Flames are in it, there is little doubt. I didn’t expect them to be this close but they are. However does anyone honestly believe this team can win 2/3 of the rest of their schedule? That’s what it will take to be at the wire in the end. Flame’s fans hate it, but they’d be way better off losing 7 of their next 9 and dumping assets at the trade deadline. Just saying. … The Flames look to have a pretty interesting defense core next year if they can resign Derek Smith and add him to Giordano, Brodie and Bouwmeester; that’s a lot of puck rushing prowess. … Kudos to Jay Feaster for tinkering away through the season and slowly making this team younger, that will pay dividends in the next season or two.
Next Up
The Flames host the Hawks on Friday night; game time 7.00pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Cammalleri – Backlund – Iginla
Comeau – Jokinen – Stempniak
Tanguay – Jones – Kostopolous
Jackman – Horak – Stajan
Butler – Bouwmeester
Giordano – Hannan
Brodie – Sarich
Kiprusoff
