Calgary faced the prospect of losing four games straight facing the lowly and damaged St. Louis Blues on the road. Much discussion has been made regarding the play of the top players, Dion Phanuef, Kiprusoff, and of course the absence of a dominant Jarome Iginla. The whole team got the memo, but Jarome Iginla took particular attention literally dominating the ice every time he was on and chalking up four points.
Calgary jumped out of the gate with largely the same lineup as the past three games less Curtis Glencross who’s out replaced by Jamie Lundmark on his second stint as a Flames (called up from the AHL). 4:14 Jarome Iginla got things rolling by putting one off his butt. If that was his only goal it would be tough for Iggy in front of the media and fans (only empty net and butt goals). However, he closed the period with a beauty snap off the inside post to give the Flames a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
Andre Roy called Cam Janssen’s number for his elbow that broke Brandon Purst’s jaw and he responded. I really expected more from Roy who’s a head taller, but he didn’t do any damage on Janssen (although he was reaching for a fan’s beer in the penalty box).
St. Louis: A Team of Losers like Janssen and Mason
Matthew Lombardi 6 minutes into the second got his third of the year (he needs to get going) off the post and banked off a St. Louis skate. Adrian Aucoin gave the Blues life after passing a clearing attempt up the middle. Two minutes later Brad Boyes scores on the PP (St. Louis the only team scoring on Calgary on the PP recently).
Jarome Iginla drew a penalty soon after and caught the ire of Christ Mason for some reason. Mason beaked off Iginla–Iginla responds by making an arse out of Mason. A freeze shot move and quick pass through the slot for a one time goal by Cammalleri was oh so sweet.
Lombardi, flying all night, got going again sending a gift to Adrian Aucoin for his fourth (one more than Lombardi who had three points tonight). St. Louis ended the second and started the third with a three man advantage but Calgary killed them off. Calgary resumed their forecheck but were to casual on a back check three minutes later enabling the Blues to to draw within two.
Back and forth like a see-saw battle; Calgary responded after the second line controlled the puck down-low and Daymond Langkow potted his eighth thanks to Lundmark and Bertuzzi.
Cam Janssen hates losing I guess, went through late in the third and threw another high hit on Adam Pardy, this time Cory Sarich responded immediately (second fight of the game). This is why Andre Roy is necessary, or someone who can beat people up HARD (which Roy didn’t do and if he can’t beat Janssen then WTF is he doing on the team?)
St. Louis spent the rest of the game going hard and looking for big hits rather than trying to score (which Calgary should have done 5-6 more times, that’s how crappy St. Louis is this year.) All complaining aside, Calgary closed down defensively and road the six goals to the finish line. Go Flames!
Notes: Glencross out, Lundmark on the second line and did OK but has some NHL rust on him. Sarich and Pardy improving with a +3 outing.
Why did we realease Godard? I know, he won too many fights!
It had been a great performance by the Flames in terms of maintaining a three goal difference every time the Blues came close. Great effort by the Flame forwards and defence when it came to sticking up for their team mates.
Perhaps I evaluate things differently, but sometimes I feel that the Flames leave too much open ice in the defensive zone to allow easy goals.
If you read some posts before here, Godard was released according to media cause Sutter thought he was past his prime. Instead he breaks two guys’ faces this year. Although Roy is a better skater.