The Calgary Flames returned to action after a lengthy (to them–4 days) break to face the Blue at home. The typical Calgary quiet crowd was available to witness the Flames begin the second half of their season. The game opened with Andre Roy and Blues coward Cam Janssen (coward not cause he fights, but because every time he hits the ice it’s leaving the feet and high elbows. After the opening excitement the game took a far less interesting turn for about 2.5 periods.
Calgary suffered from ‘crappy team dementia’ which means Calgary, despite playing the worst team in the West, drifted their play to the St. Louis level away from their game plan. That meant passes that weren’t as crisp, timings off; perhaps attributed to the layoff they had.
The Flames opened the scoring, against themselves, an own goal by Glencross credited to Dan Hinote. Cam Janssen helped the Flames out by running wild on the ice taking an interference penalty. 10 seconds into the PP Cammalleri potted his 16th of the season to tie the game.
The second period excitement only included two fights between Pardy v Crombeen, and Nystrom v Hinote. Third period was a bore like the first two, but Calgary did have a chance late in the third with a powerplay opportunity. St. Louis got lucky on an own goal, Calgary cashed in with David Moss (nice surprise this year) scoring his 11th which banked off of Jay McKee’s stick in the crease.
55 minutes of boredom, and then the Flames took advantage of what can only be described as a junky St. Louis squad. Cammalleri had a beauty solo effort that saw him beat Jackman, twice his size, along the board, and then snap a shot past Mason looking him look like a junior league goalie in the process. That was Mike’s second goal of the game and gave Calgary the cushion they needed to claim another two points and extend their lead in the NW division.
Notes: The Flames commemorated the passing of Daryl K. Doc Seaman before the game. Jim Vandermeer returned to the squad after a lengthy layoff due to a broken ankle. Iginla continues to struggle without a worthwhile centerman.
Although the game was somewhat less than exciting, it’s nice to see that the Flames can actually win these games. In the past few years, a game against a bottom feeder would have meant gloom and doom for the Flames. This year is definitely different.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that Iginla was kept off the score sheet again. I think that this is actually a good thing for the Flames, proving that their team is much more balanced this year than in years past. No longer are they the Iggy and Kipper show.
I agree secondary scoring is better, but I don’t agree it’s a good thing. We’d be even better if iginla was going on all cylinders.
My sincere condolences for the sad demise of Doc Seaman.
A note to welcome Jim Vandermeer back. Although Iginla has been scoreless, his presence in itself continues to be felt. His is nonetheless an important boost for the whole team.