Back in the 80’s the Battle of Alberta was a battle between 2 of the NHL’s best teams. You had the Oilers dynasty vs. the Flames who were built to beat that dynasty. Memorable games in both the regular season and playoffs. Fans of both teams were being treated to some of the best hockey ever played.
Fast forward to today and it has done a complete 180, becoming a battle of 2 basement dwellers as both teams try to find their way through a rebuild. A Battle of Alberta game hasn’t been memorable in more than a decade (in fact I can’t remember that last BoA that actually mattered) and these teams haven’t met in the playoffs since 1991.
Hopefully, one day, both teams will be good enough to make these games mean something again and fans will once again be treated to some of the best hockey ever played.
On The Line
At this point not a whole lot is on the line for either team other than pride and jobs for next season. Both teams are coming of wins so I am sure both would like to keep it going.
The Flow
The Flames would control the first 5 minutes or so of the first. The Flames got an early power play but were unable to capitalize on it. The Oilers would start to take over part way through the period and would draw a penalty of their own. With the Flames down a man the Oilers set up a tic-tac-toe play with Ryan Smyth glaring at a wide open net, but he was unable to settle the puck down before Chris Butler knocked the puck away from him. Not long after the penalty expired the Flames think they get a goal, when Giordano gets fed the puck in the slot and wires it past Devan Dubnyk, but the goal is called off due to goaltender interference. Towards the end of the period the Oilers would score a weird one when Hemsky fired the puck off of Ryan Smyth’s shoulder and had the puck bounce into the net to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead. The Flames put on some pressure in the last few minutes to try and draw even but were unable to beat Dubnyk.
Not a whole lot happened in the second period. The Flames were completely snake-bitten and were probably guilty of looking for the perfect play instead of putting the puck on net.
Basically the same as the second period. Mark Giordano took a penalty late in the third with the net empty to save a goal. With the Flames short handed, Butler fires the puck down the ice only to be caled for…icing? Linesman’s mistake means face-off at center ice, which would turn into a scrum and the puck would end up on the stick of Ryan Smyth who turned and fired the puck into the empty net for his second goal of the game. Oilers win 2-0.
Three Stars
1.Devon Dubnyk: Can’t argue with the shutout. Dubnyk stood tall tonight and while he wasn’t tested much he made the stops he needed to make.
2.Mark Giordano: Was the best Flame on the ice tonight. Had a goal called back in the first and hit the post in the third, and was a physical presence on the back-end all game.
3.Taylor Hall: Played with a big jump in his step tonight, getting a couple very good chances. Was held pointless but was probably the best Oilers forward on the ice.
Big Save
With 6 minutes gone in the second Lee Stempniak over skates the puck leading to an Oilers break away for Anton Lander, who tried to go 5-hole, but Flames netminder Reto Berra stood tall and turned the puck aside keeping the score 1-0 and the Flames within striking distance.
Big Hit
Early in the first period the smallest player in the game set the physical tone when Paul Byron ran over David Perron along the boards.
The Goat
Giving the goat to the Zebra’s tonight. I won’t go so far as to say they cost the Flames the game, because the Flames lack of finish cost the Flames the game tonight, but they were all over the place with their calls and capped it off with a random icing call against the Flames who were on a PK. Ryan Smyth scored his second on the ensuing faceoff into the open net.
Mr. Clutch
Dubnyk…maybe? I don’t know. No one was really clutch tonight. Bad game played by 2 bad teams.
Odds and Ends
Who would have thought that a battle between 2 of the worst teams in the league would become a defensive slugfest with only 2 goals being scored… Speaking of the 2 goals, despite Ryan Smyth scoring 2 goals I thought he was pretty bad tonight. The guy use to be money around the net but his age might be catching up with him. I’m not sure how many pucks he bobbled with a wide open net tonight but it was definitely a few… I thought Butler played extremely well tonight. His defensive play was very good and he saved a couple goals… I kind of feel bad for Chris Breen. The guy has spent most of the year either injured or sitting in the press box, so it’s no wonder why he looks a step behind everyone. Management needs to find a way to get him playing more consistently… The Flames were a little snake-bitten tonight but part of the reason they lacked finish is they kept looking for the prefect play and made far to many passes. They need to get back to putting the puck on net and battling for it around the crease… Byron does not look out of place playing with Backlund and Cammalleri. In fact, I would go so far as to say he was the best player on their line tonight… Could Mark Giordano play his way onto team Canada? He is definitely playing well enough but I just don’t think he is going to get that call…
Next Up
The Flames continue their homestand Sunday December 29th against the Vancouver Canucks. Game time is 5:30pm and can be seen on Sportsnet West.
Lines:
Byron – Backlund – Cammalleri
Galiardi – Stajan – Stempniak
D.Jones – Colborne – Hudler
Bouma – Monahan – McGrattan
Giordano – Smid
Butler – Brodie
Breen – O’Brien
Berra
