Coming home for their longest homestand of the year Calgary was looking to start things right and get back into 60 minute hockey and more points. Well things started out poor. Less than 5 minutes in with fans still finding their seat Calgary went down 3v5 and had a goal scored on the PK. The penalty parade wouldn’t stop there as another glorious dive caused another 3v5. The make up call came with 1:55 left in the first and then another 30 seconds later. Calgary would get a chance on the 5v3 and Huselius (who sat most of the 1st) was left wide open and scored with 6 seconds left in the first.
So much line juggling means zero continuity. Players outside of their usual places cause penalties (i.e. Hale first game, first shift, one penalty; Moss, lines up for one shift with the top line, gets a penalty)–more trouble than good.
The penalty parade didn’t stop in the second with the teams trading minors. Calgary would score 3 seconds after their PP ended; Robyn Regehr fired a floater from the point and the shot managed to find the back of the net–tie game.
Although Calgary was never dominant, they did manage to take advantage of LA breakdowns and a shaky goalie. Langkow and Conroy would finish the scoring in the second with Iginla getting 2 A’s. That’s 4-2 going into the third.
During the second intermission Fan960 radio guest was Kelly Hrudey who proclaimed the Flames weren’t a good team…. I beg to differ (and to think he won a Gemini). I think the Flames have work to do yes, but they aren’t a BAD team (which is implied by saying they aren’t good).
Moving on to the third. Langkow mid-way through the third managed to capture the Gordie Howe hat-trick with a fight. Just after on another 3v5 LA made it close by scoring. The see-saw battle ended with a semi-solid Flames win, but it’s a win, the first home win of the season. Now time to get ready for Saturday’s tilt against Edmonton.
Notes: Hale and Primeau factored in; Smith and Erickson were out.
