Calgary has a knack to win against NW Division teams taking 9 contests thus far including two against the Conference leading Minnesota Wild. Too bad that doesn’t translate into consistent wins for the Flames who are essentially where they were last season before Christmas. It’s unlikely the team will find a way to play over .600 hockey the rest of the way, but if you’re a Christmas cheer person then you never know….this could be a playoff year.
As for the game Minnesota would do well to remember one thing–dont wake up Jarome Iginla. You do that you’ll get knocked out figuratively and literally.
Calgary hit the board first and early when Iginla set up Glencross who scored his 11th on a nice back hand. Minnesota tied it up 5 minutes later.
The fisticuffs took over from there. Tim Jackman didn’t seem to like something and went at it with BRad Staubitz. Jackman got bloodied up and would do well to remember that if you want to fight you have to protect yourself at all times. He was a bit slow on the take.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=UwUm_6WAqsM]
Later in the second Minnesota’s Blake Stoner started to beak off at Iginla. Not only did Iginla get fired up and scored the eventual game winner 10 minutes later, but Stoner got knocked on his ass by Kostopoulos in his annual fight win.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=kxH5cTidEkg]
Note to the Wild, don’t wake up Iginla–fools.
Calgary did well to hang on and take two points, which they’ll need at least once Thursday or Friday against Detroit and/or Vancouver. Not an easy task.
Notes: Rene Bourque suspended two games for his hit on Brent Seabrook. Matt Stajan out with a high ankle sprain. That means Horak and Byron factored back into play. Also meant breaking up the Backlund-Comeau-Stepmniak line which was working quite well….
Fans will gladly take the two points be it from the NW division rivals or any other team. Nevertheless, apart from the much needed consistent wins, the Calgary Flames will have to defeat their opponents by a wider margin than a one goal lead. A victory over Detroit/Vancouver may certainly be a tedious task but the Flames will have to do whatever it takes to succeed – and hopefully they will. Go Flames Go!
Great going Iginla.