Flames
Fall Flat in Game Two In
Minny
Wild 3 Flames 1
D'Arcy
McGrath
March
21, 2006
Winning
two straight games in an
enemy's barn is a tall
order in this wacky new
schedule offered up by
the NHL during this
Olympic season.
The
Oilers couldn't do it in
Minnesota last week, and
the Flames couldn't
accomplish that feat
themselves, losing game
two to the Wild tonight
by a score of 3-1.
The
loss moves the Flames to
1-2-1 and only three
points in four games on
this marathon seven game
road trip, adding
pressure to the next two
contests against cellar dwellers
in St. Louis and
Columbus.
The
bigger concern for the
Flames is getting back
to their game, something
we haven't seen in the
last week, with too many
shots and scoring
chances being
surrendered, and too
much pressure put on
Miikka Kiprusoff.
A
sum of 38 shots given up
tonight, 39 in game one
in Minnesota, 47 in
getting thumped in
Nashville and a more
normal 28 in Edmonton in
an overtime loss spells
an average of 38 per
game on this road trip.
A style of play that
isn't likely to go very
far in the playoffs
should they manage
enough points to get to
the dance.
The
team is relatively
healthy, they had better
grab a little focus
soon.
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On
The Line
This
is almost getting old, but EVERYTHING. A chance to put some distance between
themselves and the Colorado Avalanche for first in the Northwest Division, and a
chance to keep ahead of this onslaught of hockey teams marching up the Western
Conference standings.Â
The
Flow
Once
again the Flames simply
failed to have any. The
visitors were out shot
badly in each of the
three periods; 10-5,
17-9 and 12-4. The 12-4
third period margin is
the most concerning for
a team down a goal and
looking to get back to
even in an important
road game you'd think
they'd press matters
somewhat instead of
setting up camp in their
own zone and hoping
their goaltender could
keep it close for a last
ditch effort.
Three
Stars
1
– Marion Gaborik. Got
the Wild back to even with his first of the night and then added the insurance
goal into an empty net to salt things away. Amazingly, the
Wild's offensive leader had nine shots on goal including SEVEN in the third
period.
2 – Brian Rolston. The
Wild's most consistent game in and game out performer scored the game winner,
his 28th goal of the season.
3 – Miikka Kiprusoff. The
reason this game was at the point where the man was pulled in hopes of tying the
game. Without Kiprusoff this game looks closer to the Nashville encounter.
Big Hit
Pretty much a no hitter, which plays to the lack of jam the Flames seemed to
have on this night. They need to generate more of everything their next time
out.
Big Save
Just a minute into the second period Kiprusoff was forced to make four
successive saves including two straight from Calgarian Kyle Wanvig to keep the
game scoreless. Just a sample of what was to come.
The Goat
The entire team. Bad outlet passes, giveaway after giveaway, too much gap
between the club's forwards and their defenceman, a general lack of
communication on the ice. Calgary Flames hockey is rarely pretty to watch for
offence enthusiasts, but it's usually disciplined and very methodic in getting
the job done in their own zone. Right now they seem lost.
Mr. Clutch
Miikka Kiprusoff. Without this guy on this road trip the Flames are still
looking for their first point, and are likely nip and tuck for making the
playoffs. It's that close. He's found points for the team in two of his three
starts, and came close to three for three on that front.
Odds and Ends
It might sound to over simplified, but I honestly think the Flames need Rhett
Warrener back. Warrener gives them that three solid defence corps duos that can
really help stabilized things shift to shift when it comes to playing their
system. His loose style in the dressing room might actually be just what the
doctor ordered as well. He's likely about two weeks away. ... Between Robyn
Regehr's missing the club's first month and change, and Roman Hamrlik's injuries
in the last half of the season and now Warrener's injury, the Flames have
only had their top six together on 18 occasions this season or 26% of the time.
Their record in those 18 games? 12-3-3. Sigh. ... Jarome Iginla led the way with
a paltry three shots on goal tonight. Only six players managed more than one
shot, seven players failed to generate any shots on goal. Marion Gaborik managed
as many shots on goal (9) as the Flames managed as a group in any collective
period. ... With the loss I just can't see another Brian Boucher start this
trip, unless perhaps they win the next two. They just can't risk it. They need
to cinch up a playoff spot, and they need Kiprusoff if they insist on coughing
up 40 shots a night. ... Minnesota was 1-4 on the powerplay while the Flames
came up empty on three attempts. ... The Flames also managed to get edged out in
the face off circle winning 48% of the draws, with Daymond Langkow and Matthew
Lombardi being the only two above water. ...Â
Next up – The
Flames move on to back to back games on Thursday and Friday night in St. Louis
and Columbus. Very big games for the Flames division aspirations.
Lines -
Huselius - Langkow - Iginla
McCarty
- Nilson - Donovan
Amonte
- Yelle - McCarty
Simon
- Lombardi - Kobasew
Regehr - Leopold
Phaneuf - Hamrlik
Ference-Hulse
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