The Flames battled back-to-back-itis last season, their failure to find points in those games largely stopped their march to first place in the same division.
This season the team has found points in those games, a factor in their early season success, a principle tested heavily in Columbus where the team never wins; and I mean never.
So the table was set … disaster right? Think again. An unexpected third period rally lead to an improbable shootout victory as the Flames won 4-3 to put the trip to a perfect two and oh! after two stops.
On The Line
Six game road trips are make and break, especially with team that are blazing a trail early in a season. Come back 4-2 and you are challenging for 1st in the West. Go 2-4 and you are no longer leading the division. A big win in Detroit on the shoulders of Kiprusoff is a great start. Back to back game in Columubs is a chance to keep that going.
The Flow
The game started pretty much the opposite of what you see in 90% of NHL games; the home team on the ropes and the road team putting the boots to them. Some great chances for Calgary and some great Mason saves kept it scoreless through the first ten minutes.
The second pretty much the same as the first, Calgary flow all the way as they continued to take the play to Columbus. A juicy rebound bounced out to Olli Jokinen as he scored his second goal in as many games on the trip to leave that nasty October further and further behind. A Dion Phaneuf penalty led to a Rick Nash goal midway through the second to tie the score. A few minutes later the Jackets were back with ex-Flame Kristian Huselius setting up the go ahead goal. Late after a decent Calgary powerplay the Jackets went up again when Boll came out of the box and beat an unscreened McElhinney to make it 3-1.
A pretty uneventful third period turned on it’s ear when the Flames struck twice in the last seven minutes on goals by Dustin Boyd and Nigel Dawes to tie the game up and alter what looked to be a fairly certain outcome.
Giordano off the post in the overtime period was the best chance to score, but neither team tested all that much beyond that.
In a shoot out McElhinney was beat twice, then held the fort as the Flames won the game.
Three Stars
1. Olli Jokinen: For a 5M dollar player he doesn’t dominate, but you can’t argue with production and production he’s had of late. Tonight an official goal and an assist, plus a check mark in the shoot out.
2. Nigel Dawes: I’ll continue the shoot out recognition by giving Dawes props for a goal in the second period, plus a shoot out snipe.
3. Steve Mason: Was the difference in the first half of the game, and the best player for the Jackets on the night.
Big Save
Mark Giordano got milked on an overtime rush, with R.J. Umberger unwinding the Flames dman and taking it to the house with only McElhinney to beat. The Flames backup stood tall with a great pad save.
Big Hit
Boll took a Flames defender and McElhinney into the boards in the second period. He was assessed a minor, then sprung from the box and scored the Jacket’s third goal.
The Goat
Was almost sure the goat was McElhinney, but the dude picks up a win so you can’t hang him with that. Somewhat sketchy on the second and third goal, but he pulled it out so no goat horns for this guy.
Mr. Clutch
Jay Bouwmeester. So solid so often, almost getting tiresome. Not a game star but a great all ice performance once again for the Flames quiet superstar.
Odds and Ends
Mark Giordano. Last year I mentioned a few times that he was the key to the season. He moves up from a 5/7 guy into a top four. Ultimately he got hurt and likely his loss was a big one for the Flames in the playoffs. This year he’s really made that step, he’s better in his own zone and still the same guy offensively. Bottom line he gives the Flames options going forward with Phaneuf, Regehr and Boumweester tied up long term. They have another top four in Giordano and they can team build accordingly. … Olli Jokinen will not be in Calgary next season, his play has probably already dictated that but it’s good to see him find some game and get back into it. The Flames need his production in order to take some pressure off of Iginla and others. … Thought McElhinney had a great start to the game. Granted the Flames only gave up five shots in the first period, but he was steady and ready through 30 minutes. Can’t fault him on the first two goals, but that third one was a deal killer. Backups are in tough positions of not playing much and having to play well, but he just can’t allow the unscreened wrister through the pads from the Jackets scrapper. … Is this team different? Solid road game for the most part that turned badly only to be resurrected by a few chances in the third. Seems to me with the number of games that the team has pulled the goaltender and found points, you add in a night like this and you have to wonder about a psyche change for the team. They’re not out of it, seemingly ever. … When will Jarome Iginla either realize or be told that he can’t do the quiet whimper shoot out move in 2010? Speed Jarome! Skate in with authority and use your quick hands to bury stoppers with a wrister.
Next Up
Next up the Flames reach the halfway point on the trip when they visit Nashville on Monday night. Game time 6:00 Calgary time on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Lundmark – Jokinen – Iginla
Dawes – Langkow – Moss
Conroy – Boyd – Glencross
McGrattan – Nystrom – Prust
Regehr – Phaneuf
Sarich – Bouwmeester
Pardy – Giordano
McElhinney
