The Calgary Flames returned to their winning ways by taking their second in a row against a LA team that, in all honesty, they are expected to beat. At this point in the season the team has been consistent in one thing--inconsistency. A strong December was followed by a on-again off-again January. Looking to extend their shoot-out win against Minnesota Wednesday, Calgary came out ready to go in their first of 4 home games.
Captain Jarome Iginla scored the game winning goal in the shootout (in a deke folks) to give the Flames their first win in 5 games. The Flames went into Minnesota having lost 4 straight; the old Flames of November started to emerge. Effortless games with poor defense, no scoring, and bad goaltending were causing angst among fans and further complicated things in the NW division. A win and a return to the old winning ways of December was in order tonight.
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The battle of Alberta was re-kindles in Edmonton on a rare Sunday evening game between the two provincial rivals. Unfortunately for Calgary, the same issues that have plagued the team since day 1 cost them two points. The inability to clear the zone successfully along with labored secondary scoring added to the Flames woes. For a team teetering precariously in the NW division, it's odd they haven't solved some basic defensive zone issues.
Calgary lost ground in the race to the top of the division as Vancouver and Minnesota won games. Another test against Nashville comes Tuesday, but until then, the Flames have time to re-assess how they can play complete games.
The Flames started and ended strong. Despite a third period set back that saw the LA Kings climb back into the game and take the lead with three goals, Calgary found a way to respond with three of their own to pull out the win. The top line dominated again and pulled out multiple point performances (Iggy, Langkow, Huselius, all with 3 points). It was a doozy--too bad it wasn't on regular TV.
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Calgary arrived in San Jose late in the night to prepare for their second game in as many nights. The line-up would change only slightly with Primeau getting back in and Boyd sitting out (possibly to be sent down soon?) The Flames, despite their turnaround, came out quickly and drew first blood early.
One minute in Alex Tanguay broke in 2on1 with Iginla and--get this--shot the puck to score his 10th of the season one-a-game Lombardi contributed his usual hooking penalty. Funny, that the fastest player on the ice takes the most hooking penalties on the team. His penalty gave SJ their first goal that tied things up at 1.
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It's not too often Eastern teams visit the Dome but the hometown fans had an opportunity to see the likes of Jagr, Gomez, and Shannahan. Calgary looked to roll on their two game win-streak at home before heading off on the road. It was the home team who managed to strike first blood not two minutes into the opening frame as Aucoin blasted a point shot top-shelf.
Calgary finally found a way to beat divisional rivals Vancouver at the 'Dome for the first time this season. In the fifth of eight games against the Canucks, Calgary needs to win the next three to tie the head-to-head record. Another low scoring affair saw Calgary come out hard for most of the game although they went down first off of Vancouver's first shot on a broken 3-2 break.
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