The Calgary Flames aren’t playing a lot of hockey this week, so it’s imperative that they find winning ways so they don’t have to dwell on a loss. An already fragile psyche doesn’t need any more problems….like the existing ineptitude to score goals.
Calgary didn’t get off to a great start, and for the first time in 10 games they gave up the first goal, on the PK no less. If it wasn’t for the heroics of Kiprusoff Calgary probably would’ve been down more than 1-0 after one period of play.
Not only were the likes of Staios and Sarich taking bad penalties, but the special teams play seemed to take over the game.
The refs had a knack tonight to miss obvious calls, called some weak ones, and toss in your usual hookings. That left Calgary shorthanded 5-3 twice. For much of the two first periods there was little 5v5 play which probably worked against the Flames.
Colorado took the early lead in the third period thanks to a 5v3 PP goal. That meant the Flames would have to come behind and….well, score goals.
All but the 1st lines were juggled (maybe they could use a shake up because Iginla still isn’t scoring goals). The third line, however, factored in heavily late in the game. Thank you Nik Hagman for getting the message–DRIVE TO THE NET!
The third line of Moss-Backlund-Hagman tied the game mid-way through t he third and later put the Flames up by one for the eventual GWG.
The 2nd line had Glencross on the LW. Not sure about that move, he had two goals, great, but also costly penalties.
Calgary can certainly build from this win but it’s going to take the type of effort they saw in the third period. 5v5 play was strong, and the goalie, as usual kept them in early. with Phoenix up next we’ll wait and see if they can add the most important component to their game–consistency.
Finally, finally there were some positives watching the flames tonight, the exception being Jokinen & Staios but I won’t get into that, we all already know that. Glencross or Scoreface, as he is known on twitter (best nickname ever by the way) is truly a difference maker on this team and tonight was no exception. He is constantly trying even if everything doesn’t always go in for him. His work ethic seems to be contagious amongst the Flames or at lease his linemates and as long as he doesn’t get another “boo-boo†I see good things for this road-trip. As we saw in the first period tonight he deserves more time on the PP. He has the ability to make things happen and score that needs to be utilized, not just his defensive PK play. The Glencross-Borque-Hagman line was a force to be reckoned with tonight, they work really well together and actually put the puck on the net! What a concept for the Flames! The empty netter at the end was just the icing on the cake for Scoreface tonight. He deserved it! It’s nice to know that when our star players aren’t playing their best we have others that can contribute. Also special props to Moss who seems to be back! Although I have created a drinking game around his scoring chances, which I would be glad to share if your interested, he is at least trying and it did pay off. Considering two players (Conroy and Morrison) were benched in the third, Brent Sutter noticed those that were trying and clearly rewarded them and in the end it paid off. I think this road trip will be a good test of what kind of Flames team we have and hopefully the remaining games look like the third period did.
The effort in the third was what was definitely lacking in all prior losses. The Calgary Flames showed perseverence and of noteworthy is the fact that they came back twice from a one goal deficit. Unfortunately they gave up power play goals, but the two points can offset this trivial discrepancy.
Congrats to Moss, Hagman and Glencross for being the “three stars” nominees. Their hard work and diligence had paid off – and ofcourse a huge applause to Mikka the magnificient!!
Welcome back Flames and good luck in the rest of your road trip!.