Three thoughts on tonight’s game: Kipper is money, the Flames don’t respond to protect him, and the reffing was an absolute joke.
Shut out number two this season for Miikka Kiprusoff in a very hostile environment. Facing over 40 shots, Kipper shut the door despite some serious traffic in front. It’s always tough to play Detroit, but one has got to wonder how much the Detroit coach is telling players to crash the crease to impede the goalie. What’s even more curious is why the Calgary Flames don’t respond.
When your top player (the goalie in this example) is routinely being interfered with, run, bumped, screened, you’d think someone would pay the price? Just like the Anaheim game, Detroit tried to put Kipper through the end boards, the Flames didn’t respond–but they got the two points.
If this was Vancouver then you’d see someone get a punch to the face, a broken leg, a black eye……But the Flames barely nudged people after the whistle…. Now I’m aware that you don’t want to take the only penalty, which is partly why Calgary has more points than Vancouver perhaps, but at SOME point you need to protect the goalie. (Remember the playoffs two years ago….nuff said.)
Second point, the referees did an abysmal job. There was no consistency in the game. Soft taps were called against the Flames but huge hooks on the Flames weren’t given a second glance. But let’s not dwell on the refs.
Thirdly, Kiprusoff is on his game and hopefully he gets some rest because we have to ride his stellar play all the way to the post-season. Tonight’s game was won on his back.
Despite being outshot Calgary struck early and often scoring in the first 30 seconds of the first and third period. Lundmark and Jokinen scored the 1st and 3rd goals, Dawes with the 2nd. Calgary didn’t generate many scoring chances but pounced on the ones they were given. It would be enough to backstop a victory tonight, great goaltending and timely goal scoring.
No chance to revel in the victory. Columbus tomorrow night for another tough test.
Miikka the Magnificent gets a bagel. When is Bourque coming back?
Great win, I would say and congratulations to Kiprusoff for his second hat trick and Lundmark, Dawes and Jokinen for their goal scoring efforts. However, I am not going to penalize the Flames for not protecting Kipper – they have had enough problems considering what Glencross went through and how Bourque has been hurt. What about the two goal tender incidences against the Anaheim Ducks that were not called?… Yeah reffing is definitely the problem. No matter who the Flames play, the end result will be the same…..You touch the opponent, and you get penalized. If opponents break your neck… Hha hahah a.. it is a joke.
It was good to see the Flames hang on and although they allowed the shots on goals against, the Wings had anticipated these plays.. They were ready to pounce on Kipper.
Oh and to the Coach, Sutter – good time out call when the Flames need the well deserved rest!!
I am starting to hate getting out played most games and relying on Mikka to save the day. This has to stop, we are supposed to have one of the best teams in the NHL but in all honesty, without Kipper this team is average at best. Not sure what we have to do to fix it, I just hope they can right this ship and pray that Kipper doesn’t get hurt cause without him we are doomed.
God forbid, Flaming Moe. The Flames have gone through the worse already and we cannot even think about something happpening to Kipper. However, it is my conviction that McElhinney needs to be given an opportunity to play during the regular season and Sutter needs to give him that chance.
Good luck against the Jackets, Flames.