If I had stopped watching this game, which most probably did after two periods, we would’ve had a summary that including blasting overpaid hockey players for failing to show up to work.
The Calgary Flames are fighting for their playoff lives. The Edmonton Oilers are a team of minor leaguers, young talent, and veteran hacks.
Calgary actually had most of the chances in the first half of the first period, and most from Jokinen. He was robbed on an open net chance, and then fanned on a glorious chance in the slot.
1-0 at the end of one period; Calgary looked out of sink, slow, old and confused.
Iginla tied it up on the PP, but the problems then continued for the Flames. They are literally fighting for their bleak playoff lives, but there was no push back to the eager Edmonton rush. The Backlund experiment backfired, and the top defensive lines continued to struggle. Backlund -3, defensive pairings switch at the end of the second.
Edmonton went on a run scoring late in the second shorthanded, and then early in the third to give them a commanding 4-1 lead.
That’s all she wrote. The Flames looked like they had folded the tent.
Cue the comeback. Started off by a weak boarding call, Calgary went on the offensive lead by a rejuvenated Jarome Iginla who scored his second goal of the game on the PP again. (Tanguay and Iggy go hand and hand, Glencross can stay with Jokinen.)
Glencross picked up a Vandermeer mishandle and snapped home a beauty to make it 4-3. (Does anybody think Glencross will EVER score 25 goals again? Doubt it, unless it’s contract year.)
Calgary pulled to within one and then the final push came from none other than the only player to be traded between the Flames and Oilers–Steve Staios. Everyone loves to hate Staios but he has the ability to turn up at the opportune moments. TOnight he played rover with two minutes left and was int he right place at the right time to slam home the tying goal.
Overtime solved nothing so off to a shootout.
Tanguay deftly potted his attempt and Kipper stopped three shots he faced. Two points FLames in the most unusual fashion (come from behind) but in a shootout (so let’s hope we don’t tie with Dallas the season’s end or we’ll fallshort due to fewer regulation wins.)
Calgary is off until Wednesday when most teams will make up all their games in hand. Anaheim continues their improbable run continuously winnin games late and from behind. That means the 8th spot will be held by the reigning Stanley Cup champs the Chicago Blackhawks. Dallas also stands in the way with two additional games in hand.
There’s hope, but not much.
Unbelievable comeback victory and thanks to the Captain who continues to inspire his team, to Glencross who glitters, Steve the saviour and terrific Tanguay for the shoot out winner. Yes, it had been disconcerting, but the Flames demonstrated resilience and kept their hopes to be in the playoffs alive. Three cheers boys, but a lot of work still needs to be done with only a few more games left……more defense a lot of offense and great goaltending are the keys to the game…….
Go Flames Go!!!!
Flames are done…bush team and bush management
Your a troll “Flamer” so f*** off! As for the Flames, we might not make the playoffs but we have sincere fans that actually know hockey. See ya next year Flames playoffs or not.
Thanks Flaming Moe for your inspiring response. Yes, the Flames are lucky to have die hard fans who remain sincere whether they make it the playoffs or not – that is what die hard is all about. We love everything about our team….. and understand.
Actually Flaming Moe I’m hardly a “troll” so lay off. I have been a fan of the Flames since their Atlanta days. I was just so po’d that with them fighting for a playoff spot and they come out against the Oilers looking like a junior team and have to go to a shoot-out to beat the worst team in the NHL. Did they not think this game meant anything?? What gives?
The Flames needs some drastic changes and it starts with management. ANOTHER year of no playoffs. If you are happy seeing the Flames, playoffs or NOT, then you are a simple fan to please.. Go Flames Go.