TSN Launches Hockey Song (a bit weak on the brass)
Calgary netted their first of the season at home against division rival Colorado. Jarome Iginla lead the way with the Gordie Howe hatrick although certainly fans would prefer him to score rather than fight. I got it, tell Jarome to get out of the scrum, and if he tangos with third line scum, beat up Sakic. Send Prust to punch the junk out of Sakic. That would send a message to other teams to stop throwing fists with Iggy. Ok, maybe not, leave Sakic alone, but someone should jump in on his behalf once in a while.
Calgary opened quickly again scoring twice on the PP in the first, yet were still the victim of weak defensive play.
Bad trade off to conclude the first period as Iginla would sit 5 minutes to start the second. However, overall, the Flames capitalized on shaky goaltending to score three in the opening frame yet were still victimized by bad defensive play (Girodano again, is he really an upgrade to Erickson?)
Second period emerged and Colorado regained their game returning the favour on the PP by scoring on of their own. Calgary went three of seven for the night on their powerplay which was dead in the first two games.
In the third the goal scoring explosion seen in the first returned as Calgary did damage first off a weak clearance attempt by Colorado on the penalty kill. With Bertuzzi used as a screen, Jarome Iginla wired a beauty shot to score his first of the year.
Three minutes later Bertuzzi scored his second of the night and showed that he may very well be the upgrade the team needs (compared to Nolan) assuming he can stay healthy. His goal would stand as the eventual game winner; 18 seconds after his goal Ben Guite scored a fluke floater from the blue line.
Nonetheless, the defensive gaffs were overlooked, and some weak goaltending. Calgary got the win, the two points, and perhaps a bit of a role to beat the puck demons from the first two games.
Notes: Prust played 3 minutes and hasn’t lived up to the ‘agitator’ role yet. Boyd also scored his first goal of the season on the PP opening the scoring for the Flames.
The first win was a great boost for the fans but the weak iron/steel wall was insufficient and permitted the opponents to score more goals than were actually required. On a positive note, nevertheless, a win is a win and the two points are all that matter.