Coming off a disappointing loss at home, the Flames received a much needed shot in the arm in more ways than one. Firstly, the team went through a bag skate in practice two days ago. Players like Glencross and Iginla were singled out for the lack of production and intensity.
The Flames also got a literal shot in the arm when they, along with their families, visited an undisclosed medical clinic attached to the public sector and received H1N1 vaccines before there was a noticeable shortage. The issue was so controversial that a senior management official with the health region was fired and the Flames released a press release on the issue.
Then today, back to hockey, during game time, the Flames, lead by their captain, anchored by their backup goalie, and helped by the refs, pulled off an overtime win to collect two points.
Of course, these all came together after the game, what about during? You couldn’t have believed Calgary received any ‘shot in the arm’ given their play over two periods. Despite trading chances with Dallas, and despite going up 1-0 after 1.5 periods of play thanks to a pretty Iginla goal, the Flames were badly outshot allowing 30 in the first two periods alone.
The man behind the mask stopping 39 shots was none other than back up Curtis McElhinney. Kirpusoff pulled out earlier in the day feeling a bit of the flu bug coming on, McElhinney came into the game, maybe with less time to think about the start, and gave the Flames some relief when they needed it most. HE even stopped a terrible penalty shot call against the Flames.
Nigel Dawes blew converage in the third period that gave the Stars the lead, a goal McElhinney had no chance on. From there you thought the limited offence generated by Calgary would catch with them. So with a minute to play and the goalie pulled Suuter put out the best Flames. That would be a line of: Moss, Langkow, Bourque, and Iginla.
The line managed to maintain downlow pressure and slide home the tying goal with 50 seconds to spare. In OT the Flames capitalized on an errant penalty call to go on 4v3 advantage. It didn’t take long before Iginla wired home his second of the night to give the Flames the victory.
Iginla factored in all three goals for the FLames–he looked alive tonight. However, the team is still trying to figure out which center wants to play with him. Jokinen is still missing in action; currently he looks like a monster 5.5 million dollar bust.
I hope that every time a child dies in this province, the whole team and Managers are fored to attend the funeral, because of the thousands of unauthoriazed H1N1 they stole, plus their wives and housekeepers, who the hell do you tink you are? Do you not know that the other NHL HOCKEY tEAMS. dod not ask for this special treatment nor did the football players. The owners, management and players disgust me and you are all a bunch of swine. Is this your cheating way of getting a leg up on the other teama, who are having difficulty finding enough healthy players to put on the ice.
I thought the game was a bit closer than the shot total. Some lazy flames were still around, in particular Dawes who gave up a bad penalty early that changed momentum. Pardy alos seems to be strugglign which is odd because last year he was doing pretty good.
I thought it was a great team effort and the two points were all that mattered. It may have seemed like the refs did their share by penalizing the Stars in OT, but the Flames have received the worse in the past… Letting bygones be bygones, it was admirable to see the Flames’ penalty killing efforts, particularly the two men disadvantage. The power play goal by Iginla shows that the team is now returning back to form.
Congratulations to the Captain for leading his team and for putting his best foot forward
Congratulations to the Flames for the great come back from behind and showing determination – tieing the game with 50 seconds to spare.
Congratulations to Curtis McElhinney for making tremendous saves, particularly the penalty shot
Thank you boys, for your hardwork and inspiration. Good luck for tomorrow!! Go Flames Go!
Hello Thelma, and welcome to the FLAMES FORUM.
I think you would find that most of if not all the bloggers on here were as shocked as you were about the news.
But until I hear more evidence from official sources that there was something underhanded going on by “The Flames Orginization” I will do exactly what you are doing and voice my displeasure loud and clear, but I will address my comments directly to the Flames organization itself, not on a fans forum.
Here is a link you might find some info from.
http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?0745id=4
Thelma is a big mouth that knows nothing of what she is talking a out. Don’t waste your breath Del on this jaded, ranting moron. Have her write the government and stop looking for a scapegoat cause this forum is for hockey not some raving lunatic blowing off steam about a completely unrelated story. Go Flames Go!!!
Let’s keep our comments respectful please. As much as we say it’s not the place to sound off, it is. FlamesForum is an outlet for fans or others who want to discuss elements of the Calgary Flames, therefore the H1N1 fiasco is included. If we couldn’t talk about nothing or voice our displeasure then we couldn’t comment after losses!
Thanks
I agree with you Barry that our comments on the forum have to be respectful.
Alternatively, I do not think that the H1N1 fiasco is something that we should be annoying for anyone because much as it sounds upsetting, the Flames are our priority: individuals who have adjust to different schedules, travel to different places and be alert at all times – they should be included among the high risk individuals too.
Have to agree, with your comments Barry Flames, but I would support it with one caveat, and that is Thelma is not a regular poster here. She has every right to sound off, but I think she is shot-gunning every sight she can find that has anything to do with the Flames.
Whoops, I meant “site” not “sight”.
I apologize if my comments have offended some of the regular folks that post here on a regular basis, but I don’t take my comments back about why I posted it and to whom. This person seemed to want to rant more about the Calgary players and team more than finding blame with the right people. Im sure the players were only doing what the club had set up for them, I know I would have had I been given the chance. A lot of the players have young families with babies and they are in the high risk catagory. I for one am pleased they got their shots and I would support other NHL teams getting them also. Cross border travel among many other reasons make that a good idea. Sorry if some don’t agree but this is my opinion.
It’s Ok Moe, I kinda agree with you but without all the “Fire & Brimstone”.
I don’t like people, who talk like they have all the answers and don’t know any of the right questions.
I agree with both of you, Del and Moe.