Welcome back Flames fans to another year of hopes and dreams. This year`s Calgary Flames show a bit more youth and promise than previous years, but fans are still wary whether the product has changed enough to make any legitimate push for the post-season, let alone a deep run.
I`ll keep this particular post-game report short as most saw the game unfold. First things first, with two centerman out, the Flames had to improvise. Apparently that means taking a third line winger in David Moss and putting him on the top line. Why this makes sense is beyond me and the experiment failed just like it failed last year.
It’s just one game in and there were a lot of positives to take away. Aside from a 15 minute lapse in the second period, the Flames were flying creating scoring chances off of their forecheck. Calgary could’ve had a few goals in the first period but settled for a Glencross one timer.
4 goals were scored in the second and all four by Pittsburgh. Special teams got a work out and failed, two goals on the PP for the Penguins.
Jarome Iginla played his first game of the year missing the entire pre-season test. He looked pretty normal for opening day Jarome which is good news for fans worried about his back, then again, we don’t know how he’s feeling now….For their part, The second line of Bourque, Glencross, and Jokinen did all the scoring tonite.
We can expect the Flames to come out Monday afternoon with a bit more intensity of 60 minutes. Overall, too early to tell what’s working and what’s not, but so far it doesn’t look like the team took a step back, and perhaps could even pick up from their winning ways for the final 1/2 of last season. But then again that’s just it, they don’t look too much different and last year that translated into missing the playoffs… This year?
Notes: Morrison and Backlund out. Sarich possible suspension for the hit on Cooke? Unlikely, but you never know with the new NHL rules on hits to the head. Roman HOrak played in his first NHL game and made lazy “I’m a rich millionaire and forgot how to play hockey” Matt Stajan look even more ordinary. He also received his first NHL point, an assist on Rene Bourque’s third period marker.
Not an entirely pleasing personality – to say the least, the boys played an exceptional first ten minutes and last ten minutes of the 60 minute performance. The overall game plan has not changed from last year though; they slacked on the penalty kill. Notwithstanding that it was good to see them come close (one goal differential) but the pesky Penguins had a better offensive touch. In closing, it was only one game but hopefully the Flames can perk it up for the upcoming games – better offense and defence is anticipated on Monday.
Good luck, boys. Go Flames Go.
In addition to the above post, I would like to comment on the game:
– Tanguay’s penalty call was uncalled for.
– the last minute aggression between the teams prevented the Flames from tying the score.