The Flames have battled consistency for the past several seasons both from game to game and from period to period. In the past few weeks the team has started to turn around their season mostly due to the fact that they’ve managed to ramp up their consistency.
On Thursday night the Flames had about as solid a two periods as they are capable of playing, running up a 3-0 score on the Wings and dictating the play. But the third it was all Detroit forcing the Flames to hold on for an important 3-2 win.
On The Line
Back at that elusive .500 mark the Flames need to put a win in their back pockets before they embark on three weeks full of road games. If the Flames have any intentions on a playoff spot they need to be hovering around .500 when they return as well.
The Flow
Maybe the most complete first period against the Wings that I can remember with all four lines keeping their collective games simple and following the game plan. Not a lot of quality chances either way, but the puck spent more time in the Wing’s zone. The Flames get two powerplays to Detroits zip, and cash in on their second one when Curtis Glencross found the cage.
Flames come out roaring again with the Iginla line getting a few chances but are denied by Conklin. The Flames go ahead 2-0 when Brendan Morrison finds Comeau on a two one one created by Jackman getting smushed by Kronwall. Calgary adds another when Glencross converts again by storming up the wing and blasting one off the iron and the Flames lead 3-0. Game quiets down for the rest of the period with a few scoring chances but no more goal strikes.
Things going well for Calgary in the third as they force the play and move the clock. Then Detroit scores and the Flames get stuck running around for five minutes right after. Kiprusoff is brilliant or the Wings run over Calgary and likely tie it. The Flames gain some composure back midway through and get some chances of their own. Detroit makes it even more tight when Ian White scores a bobbler and the Wings push hard to the finish with the Flames hanging on by dear life.
Three Stars
1. Curtis Glencross: Scores two for the Flames including the game winner, pushing his season total to 12. On his way to a career season.
2. Ian White: Goal, six shots on net, and almost 25 minutes of action.
3. Miikka Kiprusoff: Hung out to dry in the third period but manages to hold the fort and keep the Flames up a goal in the end.
Big Save
Calgary up three in the third and the game looking somewhat complete, however backup Ty Conklin gets a shoulder on a pretty deft move by Jackman to freeze a defender and rip a shot high right side. However when Detroit made it 3-1 a few minutes later it was a later leg save by Kiprusoff on Justin Abdelkader that was simply huge both in athleticism and timing.
Big Hit
Jackman caught Kronwall with a pretty tight check in the first period sending the big Wing to the ice; however Kronwall got him back in the second for a big open ice clean hit that ended up resulting in a Calgary goal.
The Goat
No Flame passengers in this one, but Curtis Glencross could have had the first star and the goat if his wide attempt on the empty net resulted in a goal and not just a great scoring chance coming the other way.
Mr. Clutch
Tossed around a game star for this guy, but since I didn’t go that way it’s clear that Jackman was the Clutch man in this one with an amazing all around game including 5 shots on goal, some great hits, taking a hit. Solid game for one of the league’s most effective fourth liners.
Odds and Ends
Give TSN some credit for pointing out some positive developments in Calgary including more youth, and a complete overall of the blueline resulting in more mobility. … So nice to see the Wings penalized for goalie interference. It may not have been a clear cut case but they certainly have gotten away with a pile of them in their recent history. … Will be really interesting to see the Flames lineup when they get Giordano back in a week or so (guessing). Brodie and Smith have taken a much larger role with the team, does that mean a Brodie Giordano first powerplay unit? Less ice for Bouwmeester? Clearly Sarich to the press box is a given. … Flames move above .500 for the 2nd time this season. The last time resulted in a 0-2-2 road trip and back to the drawing board. The team is going to have a lot of home games to finish the season, so those that are still thinking playoffs simply need this team a game or two above .500 when the World Juniors are over. Do that and they have a shot. The 7th, 8th and 9th place teams are six, six and five games over .500 at this point.
Next Up
The Flames play the Canucks once again on the second of back to back games tomorrow night. Game time 8pm on Sportsnet.
Lines:
Glencross – Jokinen – Iginla
Comeau – Backlund – Stepniak
Byron – Horak – Nemisz
Jackman – Morrison – Kotsopolous
Butler – Bouwmeester
Smith – Hannan
Brodie – Sarich
Kiprusoff
