Rivalries were renewed for the first time this season as the Vancouver Canucks visited the Flames for the first of eight meetings this season. The division rivals didn’t disappoint providing a spirited contest that included an extra frame to settle the score. Unfortunately for local fans, it wasn’t he home team that came out on top.
Special Teams Spanked in Loss
The Flames opened the game with a much better start than their home opener two days before. 2 minutes into the first period Corey Sarich (get it right Cassie Campbell) threw a lazy puck towards the front of the net and managed to beat Luongo on a deflection.
5v5 the Flames are still the same dominating forechecking team. It was special teams that cost them the game. 3 unanswered third period goals were all scored by Vancouver on the PP. Silly mistakes and mental lapses cost Calgary this game. On Thursday (home opener) it was poor break-out passes, tonight, bad penalties.
Tanguay and Godard both were called for two minors each for stick infractions. I’m all for Godard in the line up for protection, but he can’t be taking dumb penalties. Same for Tanguay, just move the feet and the Flames would have comfortably won the game.
Calgary clawed their way back into the game with two third period goals both coming from Langkow who leads the team with four. At the other end, the goaltending match was half of what we expected. Two of the league’s best squared off and both let it soft goals and made key saves.
At the end, in overtime, another PP goal (the forth of the night) was scored with only 5 seconds left in OT. Phanuef was in the box for hooking and a few lucky bounces and redirects caused the puck to find the back of the net. Good news is Calgary got one point. Bad news, they should have 4. Good news though, it’s only game two.
