Now THAT’s more like it. Yes, the Flames should beat a team like Minnesota every time, but standings wise Calgary is at the bottom clawing their way back up. Back from a recent Eastern road trip the Flames were happy to play in front of the home team (although I have to say it was quiet and there were more empty seats than I’ve seen in a while).

No worries though, Calgary brought their lunch pail and got to work early. It didn’t seem like much was going on offensively for either team in the first period, but Calgary managed to assert themselves and set up a solid forecheck.

Key lines included a new European flavour, the first time in perhaps 2 decades the FLames have had an all European forward line, with Backlund centering Jokinen and Hagman.


The game changed early in the second period when in under 20 seconds Calgary potted two goals thanks to the top line. Iginla continued his scoring streak feeding a sweet pass to a waiting Bouwmeester. 18 seconds later Iginla helped himself to a loose puck and swatted home his 10th.

Bouwmeester has now matched his total goal production from last season

Miikka Kiprusoff turned in a solid performance back stopping the Flames to his 37th shut out of his career.

The test, however, comes Wednesday. if the Flames can somehow pull off a win there you get the feeling that this could be a crucial turning point in their season…. Maybe Ales Kotalik will be back and that will change everything :P

Notes: Stefan Meyer was sent to the minors today (assuming he clears waivers first). This move was made to make room for Pardy and Kotalik coming back from injury. We’ll see what happens on the Mikkelson-Sarich-Staois front when Pardy comes back.