I’m not sure if the Flames really deserved to win this game, but hey, we’ll take it anyway we can get it. Kiprusoff stole a game for us, as 70% of the game was played in the Flames zone. The inability to kill, and more important adjust, to the Dallas game plan, almost lead to the demise of the Flames.
The first period saw the teams trade goals with Ritchie getting a soft one by Turco. The Flames couldn’t get their forecheck going for most of the night, and the dead crowd didn’t help them out either. (Cheering with 2 minutes to go doesn’t count.)
The second period actually saw Calgary take the lead with Ritchie getting his second goal of the game, this time off a nice feed from Tanguay. The rest of the game was all Dallas. Non stop pressure and poor break outs meant long periods of play in the Flames zone. The team will have to practice break outs with their new lines to get things together before Minnesota.
The night’s best line was in the fact the line that broke the game open. With 2 minutes left Moss (the guy’s 25 hey, not exactly young) broke in and applied pressure and Boyd let a shot go from the slot. The puck almost got out but the Flames held it in. Ference took a pass from Giordano on the point and let a shot go that went wide. However, the puck careened off the boards right to Boyd who chipped in his first NHL goal into the open net.
The Flames shut down the Stars for the reset of the game (2 minutes) and Tanguay got the empty netter showing Stefan how it’s done from the blue line. All in all, the defensive game must improve if the Flames are to keep on winning. The NW division isn’t getting easier as teams keep on getting points in 3 point games. (Ties and a win.)
Notes: Zyuzin continues to sit out, not sure why. Boyd got his first NHl goal tonight. Next up Minnesota with a healthy team.
