Writers and commentators both in Calgary and across Canada could save a lot of time and trees by posting one simple word to describe the Flames 3-2 loss in Chicago in game two of their seven game series; “ditto”.
The games were essentially carbon copies of each other, but in story line, in completion, heck even in score.
Oh sure there were nuances, the Flames were actually better in the first period of game two than they were in the first of game one. The Hawks didn’t really take over the game to the degree they did two nights earlier, and the two clubs didn’t require overtime. But the result was the same. And for a franchise that has never won a series down 2-0 in history, the uphill battle starts Monday night in Calgary.
On The Line
In the regular season you can concern yourself as much with substance as with results. Two straight well played losses on the road in November can be described as a building block, but in a playoff series down 1-0 game two is a must for that trailing side.
The Flow
The Flames came out and played the style they truly needed to play. Chalking up 21 first period hits the Flames had the Hawks flummoxed from the outset, and it showed on a scoreboard with a 2-0 lead and a classic road start.
Three Stars
1. Jonathan Toews: The Hawks young captain arrives on the playoff scene with two key goals in turning a deficit into a lead heading into the third.
2. Nikolai Khabibulin: My second star in both games, though he could have been the first star in this one. A half dozen down and out pad saves was the difference in this game.
3. Jarome Iginla: His best appearance of the series, especially in the first half of the game, scored once in the first and added an assist.
Big Save
Pick any of those “I’m down and out and all I have is this measly pad” saves from Khabibulin in this game. Unreal … but the one where the pad actually moved was on Todd Bertuzzi in the first when he lifted his pad off the ice and stoned him.
Big Hit
A robust game with lots of hits, but the biggest was Ben Eager on Jim Vandermeer in the second.
The Goat
Playoff games are a games of inches, so I’ll hand out two goats for key missed plays that burned the Flames badly in this one. First Eric Nystrom turning the puck over at center ice on what should have been a simple dump in … boom 2-2 game. Then Miikka Kiprusoff for kicking out a big rebound right to Toews in the last 30 seconds of the second period.
Mr. Clutch
Cory Sarich for coming back in a game that he likely wouldn’t plan had it been the regular season. His calm self was a big boost to the Flames defensive cohesion in their own zone. He wasn’t seen late, so hopefully he can suite up for game three.
Odds and Ends
Didn’t like the fourth line in game one, like it better in game two, but still think a Warren Peters for Jamie Lundmark change would do more for energy, and safety on the ice. Speaking of the fourth line, with an icing call in the second and the Flames line change ups essentially giving them three second lines, why would Keenan send the fourth line over the boards in a 2-1 game? Puck ends up in the Calgary net, which would give me a “told you so”, but the key point was why pass up an offensive opportunity? … Feast of famine. This is life as a Flames fan. A cup in 1989, no series wins again until 2004 where you get three straight, and then first round knock outs in three straight years after. This year? In some deep stuff early. The series isn’t over, but it’s starting to get that ring to it. Not the hanging on for deer life feel of that Wings series, but more a why us mentality. The Flames were probably the better team on a percentage basis in both games one and two, but still can’t find the finish, a problem that has plagued them for 6 weeks. … Key silver lining is the powerplay strike so the Flames can stop talking about the 46 straight screw ups and get back to looking for one or two a night. … Now it’s really simple. Hold serve at the Dome and send it back to Chicago with a 2-2 series count. They’re playing well enough to do it in my books.
Next Up
Game three in Calgary goes 7:30pm on TSN.
Lines (To Start):
Bourque – Jokinen – Moss
Cammalleri – Langkow – Bertuzzi
Glencross – Conroy – Iginla
Nystrom – Boyd – Lundmark
Leopold – Phaneuf
Sarich – Aucoin
Vandermeer – Pardy
