Calgary is slowly chipping away at the top of the NW division taking in points in the past seven games. Whereas Minnesota, once a threat to lead the division have been struggling to win games in their boring and stifling trap system. The Flames seemed to succumb to a team without any firepower or even defense. Heck the back up goalie was in net. But Mike Keenan thinks that the best way to prepare the team is to continuously juggle lines and keep the likes of third line check Craig Conroy on the top line to set up one of the league’s best Jarome Iginla. Needless to say, the second line, kept together for the longest time, is scoring, whereas everybody else is trying to figure out a lasting consistent game.
The First period Calgary, along with the home crowd, kept things uneventful and quiet. For the entire game Calgary played to Minnesota’s hands by permitting a slow pace. Dump and chase, jump on the opportunities, play for the tie, low scoring affair is the Wild game. Calgary had glimpses of intensity but mostly went along with the slow flow.
The second line cashed in first late in the second thanks to Daymond Langkow’s foot from a Bertuzzi pass. Nothing happened, literally, until 10 seconds left in the second when Minnesota tied it up after some lackluster defense. The third period was more of the same, no offense generated from the Flames, Jarome Iginla mostly silent, players trying to figure out their line up.
You figured special teams were going to make the difference. Calgary had their chance mid-way in the third and sustained quality pressure. Minnesota then got their chance and rather than pressuring Calgary controlled the play, they also took the lead.
Eric Nystrom collected a bouncing puck to break-in alone short-handed and made a nifty deke to beat Harding low. David Moss scored with six minutes but the play was ruled dead from a high-stick.
Calgary kept the play moving and Minnesota without any firepower faded away as Calgary recorded their fourth straight win. A snore-fest
I think slow and steady does ultimately win the race and what’s more, even though the line juggling seems to be slowing the Flames pace, it is the right move on Keenan’s part. This is the time to actually find out how the players fit with each other. Even without any firepower, it is a win after 60 minutes that counts.
I wasn’t sure about two things in the game, though. David Moss’ disallowed goal and the shove on Iginla that was never called – but surprisingly, all the penalties against the Flames went unmissed.