It may not have been the prettiest of games but at the final whistle the Flames were able to put one in the win column.

On The Line

Tonight the Flames were looking to start their first winning streak of the season. The team had yet to win two games in a row. The Columbus Blue Jackets were looking for just their second road win of the season.

The Flow

It was the same song and dance we have seen before this season. Columbus started the game by taking six penalties. And despite carrying the play with hard hits and speed the Flames were unable to score. The second period saw a different Flames team take the ice. The flow was almost non-existent. Numerous icings and choppy play kept either team from taking control. Columbus went into the third period with a one-goal lead and was sitting back trying to keep the Flames at bay. Somewhat shockingly, another lackluster period from the home team resulted in two goals and the win. 

Three Stars 

1 – Marcus Nilson – He earned the first star only because of his game winning goal. 2 – Marc Denis – Kept the struggling Jackets in the game with a number of good saves. 3 – Darren McCarty – His inspired play gave the Flames the energy they needed to eek out a win.

Big Hit

In the first period the Flames were on an odd man rush when Tony Amonte cut into the slot. He was met by Jacket center Manny Malhotra who sent him crashing to the ice in a textbook open ice hit.

Big Save

With the score still 0-0 in the first Jarome Iginla had a glorious chance stopped by Jacket goaltender Marc Denis. The save of the game came on the rebound when the Flames' right-winger scooped up the puck and fired a backhand shot at the open net. Denis, while on his back, was able to stretch his catcher and deflect the sure goal into the corner.

The Goat

Again the Flames power play let the team down. Not only did they go 0 for 7 on the night but they also took 2 penalties while on the man advantage.

Mr. Clutch

In a game where no player or facet of the game could really be called clutch the honor goes to the Flames line of Byron Ritchie, Darren McCarty and Craig MacDonald. Through hitting, fighting and speed they provided the spark and energy the Flames needed to get the win.

Odds and Ends

Jason Weimer saw some early power play time in the first period. Unfortunately the Flames were unable to get pucks to the net while he screened Denis...Is it possible for the Flames to lobby the league for a choice of whether or not they have to play with the man advantage? The power play looked absolutely lost tonight. Perhaps a specialist coach is what the Flames need to convert on the multitude of opportunities they have been afforded this year…Darren McCarty's sore head was tested in a fight tonight against Jackets resident tough guy Jody Shelley. Call it a draw…In the second period the Flames tried something new on the power play with Jarome Iginla playing closer to the point then usual. This allowed big defenseman Robyn Regehr to move in closer to the net…Near the end of the second period Flames fans were growing impatient with the lack of success on the power play. The boo birds made a brief appearance …Calgary was much better in the face-offs tonight winning 60%…Tonight's statisticians were unkind to the Flames. The team was credited with 24 giveaways to Columbus' 15…Flames out shot Columbus 31-17 on the night…Returning to the lineup tonight was Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr. He played well with almost 20 minutes of ice time and three shots but there was some obvious rust in his game.

Next up – Vancouver on Saturday night.

Lines - Amonte-Langkow-Iginla
Weimer-Reinprecht-Donovan
Nilson-Yelle-Kobasew 
McDonald-Ritchie-McCarty

Hamrlik-Phaneuf 
Leopold-Regehr
Ference-Warrener