The game in Anaheim yesterday afternoon had “rebuild” written all over it.
Over matched, out gunned, out classed, over whelmed, out played, game over. It had that “what’s the use?” feeling that makes you wonder how the hell a hockey fan can get through three seasons of this stuff and back to hockey that matters.
The Flames to a man have been a hard working crew this season, what with a great start through five games and spirited play throughout. Their games have been fun to watch and the promise of the future has been equally as enticing.
Tonight the Flames proved once again that they had little interest in just being fodder as they gutted out a wrenching 2-1 road win in LA in front of their father’s to serve notice that this rebuild wouldn’t be all pain and no fun.
On The Line
Another huge challenge for a rebuilding club, made doubly more difficult with the injuries the club is under. Add in the fact that they played the night before and need to bounce back from a less than ideal effort and you have a pretty good gut check in Hollywood.
They up for it?
The Flow
A spirited first period for the Flames though they didn’t create a whole lot offensively. Kari Rammo was solid between the pipes turning aside three to four blue chip chances for the Kings, keeping the score notched at zilch through twenty minutes.
Calgary actually finds another gear in the second, forcing the play and drawing penalties despite not being able to find the scoresheet. A late period major to Ladislav Smid for boarding (and a game misconduct) sets the period up for a frightful finish, or was it? TJ Brodie leads the way in killing the penalty and the Flames capitalize on a Scribbens puck handling foible to score short handed and lead by one through two.
Flames equally strong in the third as they hold the fort and keep the Kings at bay for most of the period. Williams finds the twine late in the third setting up overtime, but the Flames led by Mike Cammalleri push the puck deep in the last minute and generate a pretty goal for a finish very similar to the last visit to Los Angeles.
Three Stars
1.Mike Cammalleri: Not going to lie to you; he wasn’t my favourite player through two and a half periods but his play late and the magnitude of the goal are hard to ignore. Huge game winner.
2.Kari Ramo: The post Kiprusoff era takes another twist as Ramo looks to push Berra off the pedestal of starter with another strong performance in LA.
3.Drough Doughty: Best defenseman in hockey? The man doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses as he plays a solid, physical 200 foot game.
Big Save
Ramo had to be razor sharp in the first period when he stopped a Doughty shot through traffic and then held his position to reel in a Jeff Carter rebound backhander.
Big Hit
Drough Doughty caught Joe Colborne trying to enter the zone with a two man advantage in the second period and hip squeezed him into the boards forcing the big center to push the puck out of the Kings zone. Impressive to find that play down two men.
The Goat
No passengers for the Flames tonight, so you just have to hand this one on Ben Scribbens. His blown tire on the first Flames goal was a tough one to give up in a game where your opponents should be had pretty easily.
Mr. Clutch
TJ Brodie. Probably his best game of the season outside of his performance in Chicago earlier this month. Great presence in his own zone, and up the ice. Great young defenseman.
Odds and Ends
Can’t get away without talking about the Sven Baertschi benching again tonight, the CBC crew mentioned that Hartley has said he needs to engage the opposition more, not 100% sure what that means. I almost could have expected the move after his icing call against the Hawks on Wednesday night, but didn’t think he stood out above any others in the Ducks game. … New lines tonight with Byron in the lineup. Like the Colborne, Bouma, Blair Jones line, lots on energy and good work on the wall … Anyone else notice that Paul Byron looks bigger than Mike Cammalleri? He shouldn’t as the veteran is listed two inches taller at 5’9″. We in Calgary know small, and Cammalleri has always looked Fleury small to me, I’m guessing his stats are at least three inches off. … Was easy to tell the LA star players were looking forward to a stats building night, lots of Doughty jumping into the play, Brown toe drags, and skill players trying to create. Easy pickings. … The rebuilding Flames have been fun to watch this season because they’ve been quick on the transition and pertaining enough skill to make the lines interesting. However with the injury bug killing two transition starters from the blueline, and two key forwards up front missing the lines are just too thin. The veteran line continues to struggle to generate anything, and that hurts with the other guys out. Tough to watch right now … Glen Healy has always hated the Flames, tonight? Well he continues to hate the Flames. This time probably justly making fun o the “greatest player not in the NHL” schtick. … Is there any better way to gain a huge appreciation for T.J. Brodie then to watch him go to work for this depleted defense corps? Just a huge game for #7, and ironic since he was struggling and a wee bit in Hartley’s doghouse when the Flames won in LA in October. … Had to chuckle at the dad’s box, and how young Monahan’s dad looks. Not only does he look like his son, he actually looks more like a player than a dad. … Kari Ramo’s performance makes the Flames crease situation interesting as the team heads home. Berra has been the man for the last three weeks, but Ramo’s solid stint in LA should give him a pretty good chance to be the starter when the Flames host the Coyotes.
Next Up
Flames return to the Saddledome to take on the streaking Phoenix Coyotes, 8pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Cammalleri – Stajan – Stempniak
Bouma – Colborne – B. Jones
Hudler – Backlund – D.Jones
Byron – Reinhart – McGrattan
Russell – Brodie
Smid – Butler
Smith – O’Brien
Ramo
