Most of the team got the message: this is playoff hockey. Calgary wasted little time asserting their dominant forcheck early in the first, the kind of hockey we’ve come to know and love. Hard hitting play kept the puck in the Detroit zone for most of the first two periods.
Special teams even cashed in with Langkow scoring his 30th on the PP. Later in the second, Huselius would get his 31st on the PP as well. The only breakdown was early in the second when Stuart was caught laying someone out in the offensive zone and Conroy was undressed by Datsuyk for the Detroit goal.
For a change there was hard worked capped by some special teams play. Calgary wasn’t called for a penalty in the first two but Detroit had four. I guess you create your own chances through hardwork. What a concept; even the face off dot was doing good.
I wonder if Iginla is injured. He had moments down low and in front of the net, but largely, the guy was on the perimeter all night, wasn’t driving to the net, was non-existent on D, and couldn’t hit hard. (But Playfair did have him out in the last minute.)
The third period would see some bum clenchers. Only one penalty for the Flames but it PK had its close calls! Clearly, tonight, the Flames offered one of their best efforts all around for 3 months. A great game, but take care of Nashville.
Notes: Zyuzin did not play, Godard sat a well, Moss was out.
I’ve not seen the highlights yet but sounds like we got back to the type of game that we have been known for over the last two seasons, a good forecheck, tight defence and take our chances when they come. Much, much better.
It is only one game and we need to put the same effort together on Thursday but it is a start.