The Chicago Blackhawks are a tough foe for a redemption game. One could argue the league’s best team is exactly the team you want to face in proving a rough night in San Jose and a five game losing streak are a thing of the past, but yeah an easier touch might be a good idea too.
The big key for the Flames was showing up, which they did, even if they lacked the passion and offensive flair to get a whole lot done in a 3-1 setback to the Hawks on Thursday night.
On The Line
Two points! You had to ask? Seriously the Flames will be looking to shake that recent ghost of the a drubbing in San Jose and snap a five game losing streak. The season is 82 chapters long, and there is still a lot of hockey to be played, but you have a feeling that a poor showing in this one will really have the team, it’s coaches, and it’s management staff shaking their heads and looking to make changes.
The Flow
The Flames are ready to roll, but somewhat tentative as Chicago takes the play to them through the first ten minutes of the first. A Patrick Kane penalty shot had the makings of a kick start for the young Hawks, but Kiprusoff turned him back to preserve the lead. The Flames get better as the period goes along, but it’s Kiprusoff that keeps the game scoreless through 20.
The second is all Calgary to start … perhaps nary a blue chip chance, but forcing the play and pushing the issue. A Dustin Boyd burst yields an early powerplay that was wasted by the Flames ineffective man advantage crew. A Glencross penalty results in a Hawk powerplay with a Kane goal on a play that looked to have Kiprusoff almost not ready for the shot. He was back on his heels and really unprepared for the pass across. Chicago continues to carry the play until the Flames are sent on a powerplay and a Dion Phaneuf rebound is jumped on by Jamie Lundmark to tie the score. From there it’s all Calgary to close out the second; but score stays tied at one.
A pretty non event start to the third period with little happening either way by way of offense until a bouncing puck hit Ben Eager and went into the net, a classic example of good teams getting good breaks. The Flames push things but can’t equal the score before Keith hits the empty net to put things away.
Three Stars
1. Duncan Keith: Empty net insurance goal, five shots on goal and a did a heck of a job of containing Flames’ skill on the night
2. Miikka Kiprusoff: Turned aside only 25 shots, but was brilliant on many and at no fault on at least one for another strong showing from Calgary’s best player this season.
3. Patrick Kane: Scored the first goal for the Hawks and was dangerous all night including his penalty shot attempt.
Big Save
An easy one to pick that came early, Kiprusoff stones Patrick (I’ll pay for the cab) Kane on a penalty shot to keep the game scoreless and the Flames’ collective confidence on an even keel. Back to back saves on John Madden in the second were eye popping as well.
Big Hit
Not a very physical game to be honest, but Mark Giordano did find the right target when he found Patrick Kane coming down his wing and stapled him to the boards near the hash marks. Giordano has come a long way.
The Goat
Jarome Iginla? Picked up an assist but didn’t get a shot on goal in a game that I fully expected to see an angrier more assertive version of the Flames captain. Simply has to be better.
Mr. Clutch
Antti Niemi. Didn’t see enough pucks to be a game star, but did his job as a backup to backstop his club and give them a chance to win; which they did.
Odds and Ends
One change I’ve seen in Kiprusoff this season is the serious infrequency of getting beat short side high, which used to a big issue for him. Now, rather than holding his glove hand up, he stacks it against the bar to fill the gap. Jamie McLennan change? … Some injury issues for the Flames as Nigel Dawes goes down in the first with what looked like a leg injury. In the second Bouwmeester took a high stick (without a call), getting his nose cut open. … Funny to listen to a TSN call by a former Edmontonian (Gord Miller) and recent Oiler Broadcast colour guy (Ray Ferraro), though neither stood out as anti Calgary to be honest … Flames powerplay was good to start the season because they used the umbrella with Bouwmeester in the middle and Iginla and Phaneuf on the half boards. why did they go away from that exactly? … Get Conroy off the first line. I love his role and his salary, his interview, but he should not be with talented players, and especially not Jarome Iginla. He kills too many plays. A very serviceable vet, but this shouldn’t be his role. … I think I get this now. The Flames are skilled. They work hard. They care. But they are built for a different era. Today’s NHL is all about mad individual one on one skill. Team defenses are willing to let teams like Calgary cycle all they want; work the puck back to the point and get a shot on net with 11 skates in the way and little chance of a pinball shot of finding the cage. Most top clubs have forwards with the ability to beat a guy off the half wall and create an odd man situation around the cage; Calgary does not.
Next Up
The Flames are back on home ice to host the St. Louis Blues on Monday night at 7:30pm (Sportsnet)
Lines:
Glencross – Conroy – Iginla
Dawes – Langkow- Bourque
Nystrom – Jokinen – Lundmark
Prust- Boyd – Sjostrom
Regehr – Phaneuf
Giordano – Bouwmeester
Pardy – Sarich
Kiprusoff
