Now that’s Calgary Flames hockey.

The Flames took a huge leap in their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks by defeating the Canucks 2-1. The win accomplished several things: first, the Flames showed that they are every bit an equal opponent to the Canucks by evening up the series and taking away home ice advantage. Second, they showed the ability to rebound from a sub-par game and shut the door down in the playoffs, much like they did all regular season. Third, they won their first game in the playoffs in nine years and confidence is growing within the organization.

If the Flames can get over early jitters playing their first home playoff game they have a chance to take control of the series tonight.

FLAMES KEYS TO SUCCESS:

• Score first: It’s been mentioned before, but after two games the first goal of the game has become increasingly important
• Use the crowd to their advantage: The Saddledome crowd tonight is expected to be louder than it’s been in over a decade and the Flames need to use that seventh man to their advantage. Big hits and a fast start will keep the crowd in it.
• Don’t get too fancy: The team might be tempted to “put on a show” tonight which would result in a more wide-open game that would probably entertain the fans but would also play into Vancouver’s fans.

EVERYBODY KNOWS...

That Vancouver’s lone goal Friday night shouldn’t have counted. Look for the referees to really clamp down on goaltender interference from both sides. They may even over-compensate.

Jarome Iginla was a dominant force in Friday’s game, especially in the early-going. The difference now is Calgary has the last line change and Darryl Sutter can get the match-ups he wants. Seeing how the teams match lines tonight could be a game within itself.

EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW...

Jordan Leopold has really come of age in the playoffs. He leads the Flames in scoring with three points (all assists) and in average ice time at 24:06. He’s used to playing in high-pressure situations after leading Minnesota to an NCAA championship several years ago. It’s a difficult tournament where teams are asked to win a series of do-or-die games en route to the title.

Geoff Sanderson has struggled to find the net for the Canucks. In the first two games he had some chances but came out of it with zero points. In 50 career playoff games he only has eight goals and 17 points.

ROSTER UPDATES:

Calgary: Stephane Yelle (hip) is still on the shelf. Dean McAmmond (back) and Steve Reinprecht (shoulder) are both out for the rest of the season. Dave Lowry (abdomen) may return later on in the series.

Vancouver: Todd Bertuzzi (suspension) is out for the playoffs. Mats Lindgren (back) and Magnus Arvedson (knee) are done for the season. The Canucks have recalled four players from the Manitoba Moose following the conclusion of the Moose season last night. Joining the Canucks is Brandon Reid, Kirill Koltsov, Jaroslav Obsut and Pat Kavanagh.

FAST FACTS:  

The Flames’ penalty killing continues to be their Achilles heel in this series but showed some improvement last game, going 4-for-5. It’s still 6-for-11 overall (54.5%)… Vancouver has still only scored one even strength goal in the series and that was on a delayed penalty call… Calgary’s power play ranks 13.3% overall which is eighth in the playoffs out of 16 teams.

QUOTABLE:

After nights like that I try to learn what I should do different. I didn't do a great job last game, so I was really more active looking for the puck and I did a better job."– Flames netminder Miikka Kiprusoff on the adjustments he made in game 2 after a weak performance in game 1.

"We did create quite a few chances but we still can't let them get the two-goal lead That plays right into their hands. They are good defensively and they want to play with the lead so we have to learn from that. It's just one game, though. We can bounce back." – Canucks captain Markus Naslund

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Best-of-seven series tied 1-1

Apr. 7: Calgary 3 at Vancouver 5

Calgary: Simon, Saprykin, Oliwa (Kiprusoff 22 shots, 17 saves)

Vancouver: Rucinsky, Salo, H. Sedin, Ohlund, Morrison (Cloutier 29 shots, 26 saves)

Apr. 9: Calgary 2 at Vancouver 1

Calgary: Iginla, Lombardi (Kiprusoff 26 shots, 25 saves)

Vancouver: Naslund (Cloutier 24 shots, 22 saves)

Vancouver won the season series this year 3-2-1

Oct. 9: at Canucks 4, Flames 1

Nov. 29: at Flames 4, Canucks 4 (OT)

Dec. 4: Flames 4 at Canucks 1

Dec. 26: Canucks 2 at Flames 0

Jan. 3: Canucks 3 at Flames 1

Feb. 11: Flames 3 at Canucks 2

1994 Conference Quarterfinals (Canucks win 4-3)

Apr 18 Vancouver Canucks 5 at Calgary Flames 0

Apr 20 Vancouver Canucks 5 at Calgary Flames 7

Apr 22 Calgary Flames 4 at Vancouver Canucks 2

Apr 24 Calgary Flames 3 at Vancouver Canucks 2

Apr 26 Vancouver Canucks 2 at Calgary Flames 1

Canucks scored at 7:15 of overtime (Geoff Sanderson)

Apr 28 Calgary Flames 2 at Vancouver Canucks 3

Canucks scored at 16:43 of overtime (Trevor Linden)

Apr 30 Vancouver Canucks 4 at Calgary Flames 3

Canucks scored at 2:20 of double overtime (Pavel Bure)

1989 Conference Quarterfinals (Flames won 4-3)

Apr 5 Vancouver Canucks 4 at Calgary Flames 3

Canucks scored at 2:47 of overtime (Paul Reinhart)

Apr 6 Vancouver Canucks 2 at Calgary Flames 5

Apr 8 Calgary Flames 4 at Vancouver Canucks 0

Apr 9 Calgary Flames 3 at Vancouver Canucks 5

Apr 11 Vancouver Canucks 0 at Calgary Flames 4

Apr 13 Calgary Flames 3 at Vancouver Canucks 6

Apr 15 Vancouver Canucks 3 at Calgary Flames 4

Flames scored at 19:21 of overtime (Joel Otto)

1984 Smythe Division Semi-Finals (Flames won 3-1)

Apr 4 Vancouver Canucks 3 at Calgary Flames 5

Apr 5 Vancouver Canucks 2 at Calgary Flames 4

Apr 7 Calgary Flames 0 at Vancouver Canucks 7

Apr 8 Calgary Flames 5 at Vancouver Canucks 1

1983 Smythe Division Semi-Finals (Flames won 3-1)

Apr 6 Vancouver Canucks 3 4 at Calgary Flames 4

Flames scored at 12:27 of overtime (Eddy Beers)

Apr 7 Vancouver Canucks 3 at Calgary Flames 5

Apr 9 Calgary Flames 4 at Vancouver Canucks 5

Apr 10 Calgary Flames 4 at Vancouver Canucks 3

Flames scored at 1:06 of overtime (Greg Meredith)

1982 Smythe Division Semi-Finals (Canucks won 3-0)

Apr 7 Calgary Flames 3 at Vancouver Canucks 5

Apr 8 Calgary Flames 1 at Vancouver Canucks 2

Canucks scored at 14:20 of overtime (Tiger Williams)

Apr 10 Vancouver Canucks 3 at Calgary Flames 1