For far too long the
word "leap" to
Calgary fans was often
directed towards
frustrated patrons and
their desire to toss
themselves off the
Lion's Gate bridge after
playoff-less season
after playoff-less
season.
In only the second
Leap Year day game
played by the Flames
since coming to Calgary,
the other a 7-3 victory
over the Pittsburgh
Penguins eight years
ago, the Flames were
able to "leap"
up the standings and
even their two game home
stand at 1-1-0.Â
At this time of year
there are no points for
style or artistic
impression, simply put,
you just need to keep
adding wins to the old
win columns.
However, the Flames
got the results and the
substance in this one,
in beating the Coyotes
for the second time this
season.
First and foremost
they were able to limit
the Coyote chances
against goaltender
Miikka Kiprusoff -
Phoenix only managed 21
shots on the Calgary
nets on the night, but
they also got some
positive news on other
fronts.
Jarome Iginla found
the net again, ending a
four game goal drought
that followed his torrid
start to the month of
February.
The continued surge
by a surprising scoring
source as Chuck Kobasew
scored for the second
straight game, his third
goal in his last four
games and his fourth in
his last nine.
Plus they found
offence from their
defence with blueline
partners Robyn Regehr
and Jordan Leopold both
bending the twine.
The tandem offence
added up to somewhat of
a smorgasbord for the
Flames as four goals in
one game certainly
stands apart from their
meager five goals in the
their past four
encounters.
For the Flames to
make the playoffs this
season they will have to
continue to win the
winnable games, and also
get lucky and steal a
point or two in games
they shouldn't.
The Flames came out
of the gates in good
fashion to do exactly
that on the night,
giving up only seven
first period shots and
driving into the lead on
a goal by Robyn Regehr.
The news out of town
was also favourable as
both the Blues and Kings
dropped their contests,
meaning the Flames move
from 8th place to 7th,
and put four points
between themselves and a
slip out of the
playoffs.
As the calendar flips
to March tomorrow
morning and the playoff
season starts to appear
on the horizon, the
Flames are hoping that a
prolonged campaign is
anything but a leap of
faith.Â
