Game Skinny
Well it’s the Sharks in San Jose so you know how this story goes. The always home ice dominant Sharks take the play to the Flames almost throughout, find the net with guys named Joe, and play that annoying “plink, plink” thing on every goal announcement.
The Flames were resilient once again however, pushing back and coming within a whisker or two of tying the game up in the third period. Plucky effort!
Best moment for the Flames is a Westgarth from McGrattan goal in the first, hot on the Hartley fine for starting the meat heads in Vancouver.
Difference Makers
So nice to see the Flames back to a big four on the blueline, well big in terms of ice time anyway. Adding Kris Russell allowed the Giordano’s and Wideman’s of the team to get more rest and be more effective. Russell is an absolute must sign for Calgary despite his size, he moves the puck so well.
Giordano was Giordano again tonight, really hustling and creating plays through determination.
Backlund took in more than 22 minutes of ice time again, as he continues to be Hartley’s go to forward up front.
Development Diary
Lance Bouma’s best set of games in his career? He’s playing with jam, but suddenly the puck his no longer his enemy as he created offence both in Vancouver and again last night in San Jose. Would be great if he could become a third liner with moderate hands instead of a piece meal fourth line plugger.
Quiet game for Calgary young skill until the third when Monahan and Colborne both found their game. Byron went down to injury and was replaced by the younger Jones giving them a great wall presence. Good to see Monahan carrying the puck and making decisions. Colborne showed his hands and reach again often taking the line or hefting the puck up the wall on cycles. He’s an interesting player to watch develop.
Draft Implications / Scoreboard
Great day for the Flames on the scoreboard with both the Islanders and Panthers pulling off surprise wins over Pennsylvania clubs. The Flames trail those clubs by eight and six points now, essentially becoming out of reach. Now if only they could find a way to get the Oilers some wins, maybe Katz’s Kevin Lowe damage control letter today will spur the boys on!
Ramblings
Still don’t get the Hartley fine of 25K today. The league has a set of rules to deal with situations like last Saturday night, rules that were enforced. The two initial combatants were given five for fighting, the other four pairings were thrown out. That alone should deter coaches from starting brawls to start games. You don’t need to fine a coach for starting players that have been on the roster all season, and play every game, often on the same line. It’s not that big a deal. The Canucks chose to match the “energy” lines and you get what you get. Hartley should have gone unscathed. … The Stajan signing, I’m fine with it. He’s not my favourite player, and I don’t like four years, but the Flames are going to have a tough enough time finding veterans to get the salary floor next summer, so you may as well keep a hard working guy that is liked in the dressing room. I like the guy if I don’t remember his annoying quotes during lockouts, hopefully he’s retired before we go through that again … Hopefully we get good news on Cammalleri soon so the rumour sweep stakes can heat up before the Olympics. The season is all but over for the Flames so we may as well get on with the trade deadline and draft talk! … The best news on this short trip is the return to the perfect storm, bad results with good efforts and entertaining games. The recent can’t score on home ice trick has been great for solidifying a draft pick in the top three, but murder on the eyes.
Roster Moves
The Flames finally have some healthy bodies returning, with both David Jones and Kris Russell returning the lineup, missing eight and 13 games respectively. Shane O’Brien and TJ Galliardi took a turn in the stands to make room for the returning players.
Where Do They Go From Here?
The two game road trip that closed up what was essentially a five trip is over, and the club returns home for a five game homestand. First up on the docket is the struggling Coyotes on Wednesday night.
