Two unbeaten streaks for two NW division teams squared off in the Dome tonight. Calgary off a three game unbeaten streak and Colorado on a five game streak, losing last in Calgary. The Flames got off to a flying start missing two open nets shooting wide. However, after the flurry in the first ten minutes the game literally got b-o-r-i-n-g. The fans were eerily quiet (think Phoenix but with 10000 more people) and chances were few and far between. What chances did arise both goalies made the stops–certainly a change from their performance the last time these two teams met.
The Flames continued to trade punches with Colorado, not literally, but the night was bouncing back and forth with nothing much in terms of scoring chances. Boyd was probably the only Flame getting opportunities and was promoted to the top line as Conroy played with the third.
The war of attrition went into the third and Calgary established themselves as willing to play hard down low. All through the line up, but most notably the third and second lines, were dominant in the offensive zone wearing down the Avalanche defense. Following an unsuccessful powerplay Calgary finally found the net. 10 minutes into the third David Moss connected with Glencross for his first of the season and the lead.
THe Flames didn’t let off the gas as the second line decided to chip in with a similar downlow play. Rene Bourque chipped in one short side against Budaj. A couple minutes later Bourque with his speed beat out the icing and passed to a wide open Cammalleri for the 3-0 lead. Colorado seemed to shut down in the third and the Flames took advantage of it, without the aid of the top line which were mostly silent.
Notes: Kiprusoff and the Flames D collected their first shutout of the season. Kipper with his 150 win with Calgary. Roy sat out again, will probably play against Boston, Lombardi still out with a shoulder injury.
