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Old Time Blow Out
Nashville 9 Flames 4

Discipline and accountability. A simple phrase and an even simpler concept. A phrase that the Sutter era of Flame hockey has imbedded in every aspect of their management and performance on the ice. Stick with it, and good things will happen. Get away from it, and life becomes all too reminiscent of years gone by....years that every Flame fan and employee would rather forget even happened.

For the most part in the last 2 1/2 seasons of hockey, the Flames have followed the creed far more often than not. On a Saturday night in Music City USA, the identity of the team never made it from the dressing room to the ice surface, and the result was as ugly and predictable as one could imagine. Darryl Sutter, though he may not say so publicly, will be churning and burning inside after what can only be described as a debacle.

On The Line

A tenuous hold on 1st in the division, with Colorado 2 pts back, and at press time, Vancouver and Edmonton 4 pts back. More than all that.... giving all following clubs some impetus and hope that they can catch the long time front-runners.

The Flow

Well, as with it was the whole first 2 periods, the Predators came out shooting from all angles and cashing in just 46 seconds in. It didn’t get any better, and but for a well-working power play, the Flames would of been staring at a huge deficit after the first. Instead they snuck out with a 2-2 tie. Then the 2nd started and the wheels fell off. After trading goals back and forth in the first half of the 2nd, the PK became their Achilles heel and Nashville put this thing away with a couple PP goals and a 7-4 lead after 40 minutes. The 3rd was just more of the same.

Three Stars

1 – Steve Sullivan.   Every time I see this guy play I have to shake my head the Leafs and the Hawks for allowing him to get away.

2 – Mike Sillinger.  4 assists on the night and a nice addition to what looks like a very dangerous playoff team.

3 – Steve Sullivan.  Every time I see him I wonder what it was that allowed both the Leafs and Hawks to let him get away. Gritty, fast and talented.

Big Hit

In the 1st period, Jordon Leopold helped Paul Kariya take a seat in the Predators bench when he bulldozed the diminutive winger over the boards with a thunderous body check.

Big Save

None. Not one....on either end. Brutal display by both 'tenders, but particularly Brian Boucher.

The Goat

Brian Boucher. When his performance leaves a Flame fan longing for the return of Phillipe Sauve........enough said. Brian, you need to at least resemble an NHL quality goaltender. You didn’t. Embarrassing.

Mr. Clutch

David Legwand, for the 2nd straight game against Calgary, is starting to look like he is living up to his draft hype of 8 years ago. The guy has decent size, great wheels and very nice hands.

Odds and Ends

A shout out to Shean Donovan, stop taking penalties, you are not important enough to this team to be afforded such luxuries as being lazy and keeping your spot on the club.......A nifty little feature on Predator broadcasts are live interviews with players as they sit on the bench. It really adds to the production........What in the hell was Scott Nichol thinking trying to take on Bryan Marchment?? Scotty you are still a lightweight....Someone is going to have to work overtime in the NHL offices and re-write the rule book for distribution before tomorrows game. Punching is now called a deliberate attempt to injure. Worst call of the year........Rob Kerr my friend, I feel for ya. You are going to have your hands full on the call-in show after this one.......If this isnt a wake up call for a team that has been going through the motions more often than not lately, nothing will work.......The Flames  were a collective MINUS 30(- 30) on the night. That isn’t a stat, thats a freaking temperature reading from Yellowknife......Only Bryan Marchment and Chris Simon didn’t go into negative numbers....There is always tomorrow right?


Next up – Tomorrow in Minnesota and a chance to erase this one.

Lines -

Huselius - Langkow - Iginla

McCarty - Lundmark - Donovan

Nilson - Yelle - Amonte