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If the Calgary Flames have any chance to even make the playoffs then they need the big names to step up. Jarome Iginla would be THE big name that needs to do more for the Flames--namely put the puck in the net.

Last Sunday Iginla was instrumental in putting Canada on top of the world, this Sunday he would contribute in a big way to put the Flames on top. Calgary should play their games all on Sunday if Iginla conitnues the pace he put on this afternoon: 3 goals, 1 assist, and even some rare defensive outbursts.


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Technorati Tags: iginla, toskola

IT was anti-climatic to watch the Calgary Flames run around like a bunch of beer league bums especially after the treat we got from the Olympics. Calgary came back into the final stretch with a home date against Minnesota, a team theoretically behind them in the standings. The team should have been refreshed and full of energy. Instead it was like watching a minor league midget team tire as the game wore on attempting to figure out who their line mates were as they struggled to score.

Many have already said it, Darryl Sutter is an absolute failure as a GM because he's never been able to find a #1 C to play with the team's top threat Jarome Iginla. After a #1 goalie a #1 C is the main piece to your puzzle. Yet, Calgary has NEVER had one. Calgary will NEVER win a Stanley Cup without one. Calgary is probably not going to even make the playoffs with its current rag-tag team of misfits.

For fans, it's all disheartening. Playoffs clearly out of reach with 20 games left. It's also frustrating to watch the team being dismantled top to bottom in the FINAL 2/3 of the season. You know what that means? REBUILDING. Not sure why ownership would tolerate Sutter Rebuilding at this time, but it's clear the towel has been thrown in and the team is worse off today then they were before the Olympic break.

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Calgary will go into the two week Olympic break with a win, something they' found only 5 times in the last 17 games. Who would've thought that the Flames would be struggling for 8th place. It's like 2004 all over again....mind you the outcome then was pretty good.

Tonight at home Calgary fed off some new lines and the home crowd to pull out a victory. The bulk of Calgary's offence came from their captain, who seems to win games hands down, but unfortunately only shows up for every third game....

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Technorati Tags: iginla

At this point of the year every game is crucial because if you're out of a playoff spot before the Olympics, you probably aren't going to the post-season this year. Turns out the Calgary Flames players haven't got that message yet.

Even following Calgary's monster trades have really fixed NOTHING. In fact, tonight, the only person who scored was a Dallas player in his own net.

Morrow potted the puck, or rather wired a shot, into his own goal to give the Flames the lead. Jarome Iginla should take note, he spends the entire second half of the season up to this point floating around the edges, and when he drives to the net he gets rewarded. Huh, what a concept, fight harder for the middle of the ice!


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I wish Ottawa was an American team so we could blame Gary Bettman. Or maybe we'll blame Stphane Auge who was the primary official tonight. Or better yet, blame the nation's capital for, I dunno, proroguing parliament or something.

Tonight an otherwise exciting game between two Canadian clubs was absolutely ruined by horrific officiating. It sucks to complain about officials, cause generally they do a great job, but man alive, it was frustrating tonight.

Calgary opened the scoring thanks to Iginla's pass to a floating Hagman who bombed a slapper top shelf. After than it all came crashing down.

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Technorati Tags: auge, senators

I could go on and on about how cheap the win was against the Flames tonight but nobody would care. Tampa Bay (and Florida) exists in America's wang where nobody gives a damn about hockey so covering those games is pointless.

Nonetheless here is a quick run down of the game:

1) Rene Bourque lost after one shift after taking a cheap shot to the head. I will say it AGAIN, the NHL is a JOKE of a professional league because it's the last sport that PERMITS and ENCOURAGES shots to the head (and thus decreasing the careers of players). The hit Bourque took was clean--he was smoked by a player coming out of the box--but the lack of respect on ice and no head shot rule means a clean hit is not only unpenalised but you lose players. Bourque didn't return.

2) Kotalik threw a nice hit on the ice, but apparently nice hits (this wasn't even that 'hard') need to be 'punished'. Kotalik had his first fight, yes a fight, as a Flame, but was thrown out of the game for not having a tie down. I don't understand that stupid rule either if someone instigates a fight and you don't have a tie down.... I digress.

3) The same suspects don't score, Iginla namely, Langkow, Higgins (since NY), and so on.

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The 'New' Flames started their first game on a brief Eastern road trip visiting the sunny skies of Florida. In fact, the Flames won't leave until after their game tomorrow against Tampa Bay.

Most fans are still uneasy with the new look, many haven't seen the likes of Higgins or Kotalik closely. Jury's still out on Stajan and Hagman too.

This evening, all goals came on special teams where Calgary looked surprisingly in control.

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Edmonton beat Carolina two days ago, Calgary was expected to win. However, that's not a gimmie especially given the fact a third of the lineup has changed in two games. New Flames Kotalik and Higgins drew in th elineup and played with Langkow. Neither played much of a factor in the game, but Kotalik did lead the team with shots on goal with 5. The other new Flames didn't do much either. Stajan with his first goal, Mayers with a fight and instigator.

The difference tonight was a) Calgary played a weak Carolina, b) the secondary scoring lost for the last 15 games briefly re-appeared in one player: Curtis Glencross.

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Technorati Tags: glencross, higgins, kotalik

Four New Flames Debut

Darryl Sutter has the balls to make big trades. But in reality they do nothing to change the heart of the team. OK, it's too early to make any conclusions, but after the 6-1 drubbing of the Oilers Saturday, Calgary folded the tent and the new Flames looked average.

The Saddledome had a nervous anticipation in the air. Four new players from Toronto, fans waiting to see what would transpire, and frankly, the fans were more nervous. This was the first game I can remember where I could clearly hear people in the stands and the players on the ice talk. Cudos to fans who went to the game tonight, you were more boring than the players on the ice and you paid to be there!

Flames Loose 13th in 15

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Technorati Tags: hagman, iginla, mayers, stajan, white

For the first time in the 30 year history of the Battle of Alberta, the Flames took the season series in a sweep. It's the first time ever in fact. In fitting fashion the Calgary Flames stormed back to the win column with a drubbing of their Northern provincial rivals at home in the 'Dome. I was walking around town today saying, "tonight will be the TSN turning point of the season." Let's hope the Flames don't make a mockery out of me when they play the visiting Flyers Monday. But I have to say, they've certainly come out of their slump in a big way--let's hope it continues.

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