Gretz’ Yotes No Match For Fired Up Flames
Flames 4 - Phoenix 3

Kris Fernet
November 10, 2005

OK, so these guys proved they can do it at home ... and well, winning four straight, silencing a plethora of puck critics, and resurrecting an early season that seemed to be all but lost.

But how will they fare in enemy territory?

The Flames completely dominated the Coyotes in Glendale on Thursday night, stretching their streak to five games in downing the listless Gretzky lead Coyotes by a flattering 4-3 margin. 

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On The Line

A chance to exact revenge on a Coyotes team that beat the Flames 3–2 in their last meeting.  Philippe Sauve has his second opportunity to get his first win in a Flames uniform.  Curtis Joseph looks to move past Grant Fuhr for sole possession of 8th spot in all time wins by a goaltender.

The Flow

Calgary, Calgary, Calgary.  The Flames took an early lead and never looked back.  Phoenix did apply some pressure in the second half of the 1st period after former Flame Oleg Saprykin scored his 5th of the year and in the dying minutes of the 3rd but it was not enough to overcome a strong team performance by the Flames.

Three Stars

1 –Jarome Iginla Completed a Gordie Howe hat trick and scored the game-winning goal on a penalty shot.  He elevated his power forward game tonight and showed both teams why he makes the big bucks.
2 – Curtis Joseph
Kept a struggling Phoenix team in the game.  Managed to keep the Flames to only four goals on 43 shots.
3 – Chuck Kobasew 
 Had probably his strongest outing of the year.  Finished the game with 5 shots, 2 hits and a goal.

Big Hit

Oleg Saprykin was caught by Darren McCarty admiring a break out pass from behind his own net. Saprykin was lucky to only receive a piece of the hit but it was enough to but him flat on his back.

Big Save

Midway through the 3rd period Philippe Sauve came up big on a shot from thirteen feet out on his glove side.  A slap pass was sent across the Flames net to Phoenix forward Ladislav Nagy who took his time sending a wrist shot at the Flames net.  Sauve managed to slide across the crease and get his body in the way of a sure goal.

The Goat

The Coyotes defense was horrible at moving the puck out of their zone tonight.  There were too many errant passes and clean giveaways to count. Curtis Joseph was the only reason the Flames did not capitalize on more of them.

Mr. Clutch

Jarome Iginla was given a penalty shot just 3:30 into the 3rd period.  Iginla, who has been known in the past to have trouble scoring on penalty shots, streaked down the ice, faked like he was going to shoot high glove side on Joseph and fired the game winning goal low on the blocker side. 

Odds and Ends

Flames coach Darryl Sutter chose to mix his lines up tonight.  Although the lines did change at times within the game, the new first line was usually Steven Reinprecht on the left wing, Jarome Iginla at center and Chuck Kobasew on the right wing.  The move would pay off as the Flames top line gave the Coyotes defenders fits all game…As the Flames’ new number one center, Iginla did well in the face-off circle winning 7 of 9 face-offs taken.  Reinprecht did fill in on occasion and finished with a respectable 64% success rate…Robyn Regehr used his booming slap shot to put the Flames up early in the first period...It took Phoenix 7:30 to register their first shot of the game.  The would go on to be out shot 43-23…Sean Donovan had a breakaway in the second period and proved that he isn’t a one-trick-pony.  Instead of his usual fake and shot on the right hand side he tried the same move but shot on the left side.  Unfortunately he was unable to put it past Joseph…With a 5 on 3 power play in the 2nd period the Flames chose to use 4 forwards (Iginla, Amonte, Kobasew, Reinprecht) and one defenseman (Leopold) with Iginla playing the left point…Flames center Byron Ritchie left the game at the end of the first after taking a high stick to the face.  He did not return…Forward Chris Simon was rumored to be ready to play tonight after missing the last 5 games.  However, he did not dress tonight…Byron Ritchie, Roman Hamrlik and Stephane Yelle were the only Flames skaters who did not register a shot on net.

Next up – At home vs. the Colorado Avalanche – Saturday, November 12th.  8:00 pm.  Available on CBC and Fan 960.

Lines -

Reinprecht-Iginla-Kobasew
Amonte-Langkow- McCarty
Weimer-Ritchie-Donovan
Nilson–Yelle-MacDonald

Hamrlik-Phaneuf
Regehr-Leopold
Ference-Warrener

 

 

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