It was a new season for the Flames in game four. Actually, it’s just home ice. The Calgary Flames have the home fans and maybe some help from the officials in game four against Detroit.
Things started fast and furious. The pace was quick, the crowd was loud. In fact, game four was a bit like game one, only instead of Calgary heading to the box and suffering early it was Detroit. Although Tanguay pulled a stupid stunt two minutes in and took two for hooking, the penalty killers did an admirable job keeping the score 0-0.
As the team traded chances Detroit would fall into penalty trouble. In fact twice, once in the first, and once in the second, the Wings were short 3v5. Both times the Flames capitalized and both times it was Langkow who scored for the Flames.
In the first period, the teams traded 4 goals, each time after the Flames took the lead, Detroit would come back hard and tie things up. BOotuzzi lead the way for Detroit with a goal and an assist. The only scoring in the second was a 5v3 PP marker by Langkow.
Detroit came out hungrier in the third period and 15 second in another weak hooking call (at least it was consistent all game) against Friesen. Calgary penalty killers were outstanding all game and killed off yet another Detroit penalty. After the successful kill Calgary took the game to Detroit breaking out in a number of odd-man rushes, however, were unable to capitalize. Would this come back to haunt the team?
With eight minutes left Warrner took, you guessed it, a hooking penalty. Yet again the penalty kill came up big, but after that, the defensive shell emerged and Detroit dominated the remaind of the game. Calgary managed to hold off, the first line keeping the puck deep with two minutes left almost scoring on an open net with Hasek trying to leave. But Detroit didn’t tie it mostly due to the PK and Miikka. 2-2 tied series now folks, it’s a best of 3.
Notes: Regehr did not play again, he will be gametime for game 5 in Detroit. All six penalties in the second were hookings. Calgary was badly out shot again tonight.
