The Calgary Flames returned home after a brief two game road trip in Southern California. The Flames welcomed the Phoenix Coyotes who they had early success against earlier this season. Looking to resume their winning ways Calgary welcomed the home crowd with an early goal courtesy of Daymond Langkow who snapped home a beauty from the slot. The crowd welcomed the Flames with the odd first period cheers.

Iginla Quiet Again with Medicore Linemates



Calgary had a few powerplay opportunities in the first period but couldn’t capitalize and barely created any chances. Derek Morris, now with Phoenix in case you were wondering, somehow broke down the wing short-handed and blew a shot by Kiprusoff to tie the game.

Funny event with two minutes left when Prust and Nystrom dropped the gloves to fight, however, both refs told each player at the same time that the other was fighting (don’t start another fight when one is going or you get a game). Well both have their gloves dropped and are looking around doing nothing. Then one of the refs said something to Nystrom and back at er, he takes some punches to the jaw but manages to drop the Coyotes player with a punch to the helmet (broken hand anyone?) Just goes to show what a gong show fighting is in the NHL. Check it out yourself:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qaXIj7ofs0]

With two minutes remaining a defensive breakdown lead to a Shane Doan goal to give Phoenix the lead. Calgary did tie it with 15 seconds left off a Moss tip and Boyd’s ankle.

Second period Phoenix fed off the uninterested Saddledome fans and scored two goals thanks to Ed ‘I’m in the Penalty box’ Jovanovski and another ex-Flames Reinprecht. Chalk two soft goals for Kipper. Finally Bourque and Conroy were taken off the Iginla line,but too little too late and the Flames dropped two points against a team that just went .500. A much better effort is needed Thursday because tonight a mediocre team wasn’t tested at all.

Notes: Jarome Iginla continues to ‘struggle’, playing with third liners doesn’t help him (Conroy and Bourque). Craig Conroy was a major liability all night, created zero offence, stymied Jarome’s offence, and took away any chance of a comeback with a stupid penalty in the third.