Note to Tyler Sloan –> Don’t Turtle and you’ll stay in the NHL

For some reason TSN loves a story, well actually for good reason, they’re TV. Tyler Sloan fresh, off a venture in the minors, opened on D for Washington and made a good first impression pasting Daymond Langkow in an open ice hit. Rene Bourque answered the big hit by dropping the gloves, which Sloan did too, stick, gloves, but then the guy turtles like a *insert simile here*. Buddy, you’re in the NHL, answer the bell and maybe someone will actually RESPECT you. It was RENE BOURQUE not sucker punch Bertuzzi, BOURQUE! Yet the turtle and the blind refs bought the act and gave Bourque 19 minutes of penalties including a 9 minute powerplay to Washington. NINE MINUTES? The guy dropped his gloves and stick man!


Early chances in the first period, posts, multiple 2v1’s, 5v3 PP, but nothing for the Flames. Fedorov started the scoring for Washington off a wide tip that found the corner. Great battles between Ovechkin (he hits man, wow, he’s the real deal) and Phaneuf/Iginla.

Second period Calgary would start with another 5v3, urgency to the puck required to kickstart any opportunities. jarome iginla got things going with a blast off a failed clearing attempt. Lombardi scored his first of the season reversing a Capitals odd man rush shooting short-side against Theodore. Calgary started having powerplay trouble with more 5v3 PPs but no sustained pressure. Would they be able to maintain their lead going into the third?

Calgary seemed to find their forechecking form in the third and Washington slowed. It seems a bit odd but the Flames were capable of holding the Washington pressure at bay, to the extent they brought pressure. Both teams traded opportunities but Calgary stood firm and managed to hold on for the win.

The powerplay is still a concern for the team, and the inability for someone to stand up and take the #1 C position between Bertuzzi and Iginla. Iggy needs to get going and needs someone to feed him. Perhaps Keenan should keep the same C for more than 1 period at a time…. just a though.

Notes: Prust was in the line up to be the ‘agitator’ and instead served Bourque’s monster 9 minute penalty. Kiprusoff stood tall and made some stellar saves.