Well that was unexpected. Two wins in a row, a win back-to-back, and a come from behind win, all that with only one natural center in the line-up (and that’s Matt Stajan).
The Flames need wins to stay in contention for a playoff spot that’s starting to disappear in the distance. There are so many things going against the club, but at least for fans, the hockey is usually more exciting in years past.
Tonight, the fourth line got things going with Tim Jackman chipping in a goal. Any 4th line point production is going to help the club. Roman Cervenka with the assist, he factored back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch yet only played under 3 minutes tonight.
Cervenka looks out of place on the ice which doens’t help the Flames since they’re short centermen.
The scoring went back and forth in the second period with the lead changing hands twice. Calgary doesn’t help themselves getting into penalty trouble (some of them iffy calls). Defensive mistakes and the odd lucky goal kill the team, eliminate defensive mistakes and you have a winning formula which appears to be (fingers crossed) becoming routine.
Phoenix did all the scoring in the early third period stunning the home crowd and taking a one goal lead. Things looked grim until two minutes remaining when Jarome Iginla, having already jammed home his second (and first goal at home in many many many many months), shoveled the puck for the tie. Delighted fans were about to be treated overtime, or so they thought.
I don’t have the stats, but you’d be hard pressed to find a time the Flames tied AND scored the go ahead goal within the final 90 seconds of the game.
Curtis Glencross, looking a little snake-bit as of late, slapped home the eventual game-winning goal on a newly minted second line with Stempniak and Cammalleri.
Joey MacDonald in net continues to give the Flames a chance to win every night. THe Flames have found their answer to a steady backup netminder (finally) and can let out a tiny sigh of relief.
But no rest, clawing back into the playoff picture means nothing if you can’t be consistent. A boring game Tuesday on a short road swing starting in Minnesota will be an opportunity to make it three in a row. GWG.
Breathtaking performance and fans will take the two points any which way.the Flames can earn… Despite the jiffy calls and an inadvertent mistake, the Flames gave their fans something to cheer about. Even though the sweet revenge had not been as anticipated but revenge it was in a great way…. Thanks for sticking up together boys……keep it up and all the best against the gutsy Wild team……It will be a gritty game but two points in threes will be appreciated….
Flames are nothing if not exciting to watch! This year they have heart and guts. When is Kiprusoff back? We need to shake the curse of the Sutters! Onwards and upwards!
The two spectacular wins were consequential to the Flames’s new game strategy. They played exceedingly well for the full sixty minutes of play, they were good at winning most of the face-offs, killed all the penalties and exhibited their offensive/defensive forechecking abilities. Despite a few inadvertent misses, the entire team had been alert, motivated and determined. Having related this, it is just the beginning and there is still a long way to go; but for starters, a home victory is just as good as a road one to earn the points. Supplementary to this, an inspirational coach and his colleagues, can make anything possible and the Flames seem to have all it takes to play good hockey! Go Flames Go!!!