In the second game in three nights against the same opponent ahead of them in the standings, both away games to boot, the Flames were looking for more against the Wild. Another win would give them 92 points and only 6 points behind the closest team with a game against San Jose and a game in hand against Minnesota.
The fate of the Flames playoffs is really in their hands. So how would they fare in their second road game against the Wild? Let me give you an idea of what went down in the….
Well wouldn’t you know, not even one minute into the game Calgary drew first blood. On an innocent shot that was going wide from Stuart, Langkow made a pretty tip to put the visiting squad up by one. Not to be outdone, on the very next shift the top line actually did top line things by scoring; Iginla with a nice roofter through a screen.
Backstrom’s night, the Wild goalie, would end there, not even a minute and a half into the game. An impressive start for a squad that looked out of place Tuesday. The Wild would make things closer with a PP goal to draw within one, but the Flames would reply with PP goal of their own.
Langkow and Huselius worked down low to get Iginla the puck on his off wing. The captain had the entire net wide open and potted his second of the game with less than a minute left in the period.
The Flames would hang on during the second as the teams went into the third after the scoreless midframe.
Iginla Records First Hat-trick of the Season
Well it was a long time coming, but I really think Conroy, who assisted on the play, played a better game and thus Iginla had a better game. Iggy potted his third mid-way through the third off a nice passing play between all three forwards.
The Wild would make it briefly interesting scoring on a 4 minute PP advantage after Ritchie tried to exact some revenge on a Yelle hit. That would be as close as they would get though. The Flames could have scored even more goals but Tanguay has an allergy of passing on clear 2-1 breaks. Weird. The Flames head to Vancouver to try to improve on their road trip which as largely been a success. Another Wild loss and a Flames win would mean the Flames move to within two points of 6th!
Notes: Phaneuf was out sick and Zyuzin came in. He played very well. The third line was dominant down low all night. Lombardi spent time on the bottom line after being given a chance on the RW with Langkow.
