2-3 so far on this road trip, not so bad. A couple of losing streaks in opposing buildings broken, not so bad. A couple of road wins back to back and a team starting to come together, not so bad either. The Calgary Flames played another untelevised affair against Nashville in a building that struggles to fill seats despite a winning team. Calgary hasn’t won in the building in the past seven visits. The result tonight was a bit of a surprise, a welcomed one albeit, in a game where away team looked fresh despite coming out of back-to-back games.
Offence Comes Alive
Calgary appears to be putting together stronger starts in an attempt to get their feet moving early. They managed to take the home crowd out of the game by playing tough early and also managed the game’s first goal on the PP. Iginla with a tip in front (goal later credited to Langkow) off an Aucion shot. Nashville would tie the game late in the first.
The second period got started with much of the same fast action that the first period saw, only this time far more goals. 6 goals were scored in the second, three by each team. Conroy opened the scoring with his first of the year from Iginla and Aucoin again. Huselius padded the lead for the Flames with his third of the year.
Nashville did manage to claw their way back into the game with 3 second period goals of their own, two in the last two minutes. Lombardi notched a short-handed goal but the late giveaways by the Flames are one item to fix before Tuesday’s match against Colorado.
At the end of two it was a tied affair, 4-4. Kiprusoff wasn’t busy yet still let in four goals. Hopefully he his mid-season form before the mid-season because his starts are in need of fast improvement.
The third period began and an unlikely source potted his first of the year with the eventual game winner. Eric Godard tipped in a Yelle shot to put the Flames up by one. Calgary scored two more in the period forcing starter goalie Mason out of the net. Iginla and Huselius both scored to give Calgary the lead.
Next up, division rivals Colorado on Tuesday. Yes, this one is on TV.
Notes: For the most part Calgary were rolling their lines especially given the fact they played in Dallas yesterday. Aucoin got his first major of the year in a early third period scrap.
