Miikka Dominates SHOOT OUT!

You should come to expect some garbage and boring hockey when Minnesota comes into town. You should be penalised 10 points for playing a boring hockey style. Playing for regulation ties should be illegal in the new NHL.

Calgary looked solid in the second period dominating 5v5 play but could not capitalize even when the Wild’s third string goalie entered the game in the second. In fact, the entire game Calgary played old school style and took control of the even strength game–a good sign of things to come? Only if they win the game.

Bad Officiating Once Again Determines Game

The third period began with the Wild on the PP. Yelle would actually take his second minor of the game after he was hooked and fell on someone’s stick for a holding the stick penalty. The penalty gave the Wild an extended 5v3. Calgary looked solid on the PK early but eventually succumbed the pressure.

Calgary would get their chances on the PP again in the third when Minnesota was called for too many men. Calgary could do nothing on the PP embarrassing themselves with their inability to move feet in dump ins.

The Saddledome was the loudest is has been in recent memory when Calgary blew a few chances mid-way through the third. Finally, Regher scored with Moss providing the screen. Minnesota played for the tie and they got their wish. Would Calgary prevail?

No. They came close, but it meant the dreaded shoot out of which Calgary has never won. Would Calgary beat the third string goalie? The order of the shooter and success went like:

Tanguay X
Demitra X

Amonte X
Koivu X (nice poke check, A POKE CHECK!)

Iginla YES!
Bouchard X he spins around trying to be cute and Miikka comes up HUGE!

Calgary is hopeless in the shoot out, and today they stole an extra point. Iginla scored for a change, and Miikka was brilliant. He even used the coveted poke check!

That would be the story of the game, you can dominate 5v5 but it means nothing if you can’t get by a 3rd string goalie and a stifling defence. Calgary took a step up in their defensive game but couldn’t score. But they came together in the end and re-wrote the story. What a solid shoot-out win, it feels good don’t it!

Notes: Ritchie sat out again. Hale came into town tonight but there is no word on when he will play.

Nobody Worse Than Healy

I enjoy some of TSN’s coverage, but when Glen Healy commentates things get Greg Milan ugly. When Healy announces that Calgary’s 5v5 play this season has been sour and their and special teams great you can only shake your head.