Game two of seven on the road for Calgary unfortunately on PPV. I sprung the cash and picked up the game apprehensive that the Flames pundits would be right and the Flames would be swamped. Thankfully, the team, despite missing four starters, pulled trough.

Flames fans waited with eager anticipation to see how Jordan Leopold would play in his first game back as a Flames. Well I did at least. Everybody else wanted to see Olli Jokinen’s debut on top line between Cammalleri and Iginla.

Seven Points for the Top Line in the First



4-0, that was the score, not the final score, but after the first period, in favour of the good guys. Philly had perhaps one of their slowest first periods, or then again maybe it’s the discrepancy between east and west teams in the NHL.

Getting things going first was the power-play, a weak goal, but a goal nonetheless from Cammalleri, his 34th of the year. Not to be outdone, the new centerman Jokinen capitalised on a Philly turnover breaking in 2v1 with Jarome Iginla who fed him a nice pass for his first goal as a Flames.

Another defensive break down minutes later gave Jokinen a partial break where he wired a shot top cheese. Beauty goal, his second of the game, and a nice start for the Flames.

I think David Moss scored the fourth goal but Jordan Leopold was credited with his 7th of the year. The new additions contributed three goals in the first.

Third period and the hat-trick try nearly came true a minute in. Left alone thanks to a Jarome Iginla pass Jokinen fired a short straight into the glove of Biron who came into the game in the second.

Philadelphia picked up the pace after the big save and managed to ruin Kipper’s shut-out bid 4:28 in the third.

The Flames started to roll three lines and resumed their bread and butter of good forecheck and neutral zone pressure. The third line was rewarded (maybe they’re the second line) with a goal with 4 minutes left. Moss-Conroy-Glencross have picked up their game in lieu o f the absence of the injured second line.

Craig Conroy has found a home playing solid hockey on the third line scoring his 8th of the season. Although the team looked to get Jokinen’s hat-trick, they took the two points instead. So far so good for the additions for the Flames.

Notes: Pardy was a healthy scratch. Back to back games with Carolina on tap tomorrow.

[tags]jokinen, olli jokinen, iginla, leopold