Flames take first place in NW division with quality win.
It was a hard fought battle from puck drop, but the Flames dominated the latest installment of the top NW division teams. Vancouver had moments in the third where they looked dangerous, but for the most part, lucky goals and bounces kept them in.
Vancouver actually lead after 1 period despite being outshot and outplayed. The Sedins struck twice and Calgary struck posts. For the most part, Calgary kept things in Vancouver zone thanks to a number of penalties. Unfortunately they could not capitalize on their chances.
The first period also provided some rough play. Cowan thought it was time to get a beatdown so he dropped the gloves on Godard, but Godard never dropped his. Cowan got a penalty, meanwhile on the same stoppage, Burrows and Ritchie dropped the mits and pounded each other in a spirited bout. But alas, Vancouver still managed to score twice before the period was over.
After trading penalties in the second, Calgary got on the board after Langkow scored on a 5v3 powerplay. They would later tie the game on a pretty play 2v1 break when Iggy faked a shot and passed to Tanguay who snapped his 15th top corner.
The third period was the most exciting with many chances both ways. Ritchie scored his 8th off a nice tip. Huselius later added another goal with a nice shot from the slot. He has no extended his point streak to 12 games.
The Canucks made things interesting in the third by getting a lucky goal with two minutes left. Naslund banked a shot off of Pyatt’s chest and it went past Kiprusoff. But that would be as close as they’d get despite a few butt-clenching moments.
Notes: Warrener left the game after one shift, Zyuzin sat, this meant only 5 d-men dressed. Ritchie scored the 3rd Flames goal and also sported a bent nose from an earlier beat down against Burrows. Kiprusoff should be getting a rest very soon.
