The Jarome Iginla era has ended in Calgary. Yeah, you read that right.
As much as we all expected a deal to come and knew it was absolutely necessary for the franchuse to move on, it doesn’t make seeing those words sting any less. And oh yeah, the Flames also had a game to play tonight against the Avalanche. But lets be honest…was that on anyone’s mind? (As of writing this, it sounds like Iginla is headed to Pittsburgh…stay tuned)
On The Line
Any meaning this game could have had at the start (which it didn’t have very much) was sucked away about an hour before puck drop with late news that Jarome Iginla would be a healthy scratch. A move which meant only 1 thing – he was very close to being traded and his time in Calgary was for all intents and purposes…over. The game itself became an afterthought, merely a formality as Flames’ fans were forced to cope with the sad reality of life without their long standing captain and to most, a hockey hero.
The Flow
Surprisingly, Calgary got out to a great start. It would have been completely understandable for them to come out flat but instead they marched out the gates with two first period goals from Jiri Hudler and Steve Begin while outshooting the Avalance 14-2 in the process.
The second frame saw a pushback by the visitors as they got an early goal from Jamie McGinn on a rebound save from Macdonald. However, just 12 seconds later Calgary regained their 2 goal lead when Mike Cammelleri pounced on a Blake Comeau rebound to make it a 3-1 game. The Avalance pulled within 1 when Gabriel Landeskog was credited for a garbage goal which hit the side of the net before hitting Macdonalds blocker and finding its way accross the line. Mike Cammelleri again restored the 2 goal lead a few minutes later with his patented on-one-knee onetimer to beat Varlamov glove side.
Colorado pressed hard in the 3rd and were rewarded when Ryan O’Reilly scored his 4th of the year on a 5-on-3 advantage late in the period. A few “Iggy” chants later and the Flames closed it out – 4-3 final.
Three Stars
1. Mike Cammalleri: Really takes control of games when he can let that shot loose. 2 goals to pace the home team.
2. Ryan O’Reilly: Most dangerous player on the ice all game creating chances nearly every shift. Goal and an assist for the near Flame
3. Jay Bouwmeester: Played a very solid, quiet game. Logged nearly 27 minutes but was his usual solid self
Big Save
Matt Duchene made a great individual effort streaking down the ice and around Brodie in the 2nd period but Macdonald stopped the initial shot, as well as the floating rebound which was heading in to the cage.
The Hit
Brian McGrattan and Patrick Bordeleau’s fists had some pretty solid hits in their first period dust up.
The Goat
The official who called Alex Tanguay for a high stick when it was clearly an Avalanche player who performed the infraction. A deadly time for a penalty with the Flames already down a man late in the 3rd.
Mr Clutch
Mike Cammelleri for his two huge 2nd period goals.
Odds and Ends
What is it with Calgary/Colorado games this year and the added behind the scenes drama? First, the whole Ryan O’Reilly saga came to a head while the two teams played each other. Now tonight, the Jarome Iginla deal gets broken down and is confirmed all during the course of the game. Then when it all seems wrapped up that he is headed to Boston…Feaster announced he has traded Iginla to the Penguins?!?! Out of nowhere… Very emotional night to be a Flames fan. Hard to focus on the game while refreshing twitter and Calgarypuck.com forums all night. Was very surreal knowing Iginla was being traded. Since I can remember being a Flames fan that man has worn number 12 for this team, which is something quite special in professional sports. To get to see one player, for that long on top of his game play for your team…you get too used it, take it for granted. He needed to be traded – but only because of the mess this team is in right now and his expiring contract. Its sad that it ever got to this point. Jarome Iginla is easily my favorite Flame of all time. Nobody else even comes close. I sincerely hope he wins the cup with Pittsburgh this year. If it can’t be Calgary, may as well be Iginla. This is a sad day in Calgary professional sports. It will get better, and this trade may pan out for us in the long run – but tonight, this stings. This stings real bad. (Editing Jarome Iginla’s name out of the line combo’s below was painful)
Next Up
Columbus comes to Calgary on Friday night, 7:00 start time.
Lines:
Tanguay – Cammalleri – Hudler
Comeau – Backlund – Cervenka
Glencross – Stajan – Stempniak
McGrattan – Begin – Jackman
Brodie – Bouwmeester
Giordano – Wideman
Butler – Sarich
Macdonald
