Finally! Watching Saturday night's game between the Flames and Canucks was like witnessing a revolution of sorts - this season's closest itteration of the '04 playoff Flames appeared on HNIC Saturday night; hungry, surly and ready to win their third straight game at home. It was almost shocking to see the relentless high pressure forecheck and bruising play that has been nearly absent from the Calgary repetoire thus far this season. In the middle of the game I was heard to exclaim "Where has THIS team been all year?" (probably like thousands of other Flames faithful that night).
I can't lie and say I was overly confident about Calgary's chances going into the game. The Canucks are a strong team and capable of posting blow-out victories. Given the way the Flames have played in general so far (and especially in light of that dogs breakfast of a win over the Blue Jackets), I knew there was a definate possibility of another 7-3 debacle. Instead I was treated with the most entertaining Flames game so far this season - end to end chances, fights, huge hits, great goaltending. The final 1-0 score did not do justice to the scale of the struggle nor the number of scoring chances.
On the bitter-sweet end of things, Calgary did seem to generate more legitimate scoring opportunities and threats for a change. Conversly and unfortunately they still did not manage to finish on many of them. However, this is the first time in a long while where I've felt Calgary played an NHL caliber game in the opposition's end of the rink...previously it felt like the Flames were unable to even enter the zone with confidence, let alone penetrate the defense and create chances. Im hoping the Canucks game is another shuddering step towards the offensive potential that the Flames show on paper...perhaps we'll see tonight...
The PandN Lists:
Positives:
- Calgary wins they're 3rd straight.
- Top-Notch defense and goaltending. Vancouver ended the night 0-7 on the PP, which included a full 2 minute 5on3 in the 3rd period. Kipper has allowed only 1 goal in the last 3 games.
- Marcus Nilson scores his 2nd game winning goal...this time in a more legitimate fashion.
- Iginla and company actually looked dangerous most of the game for a change.
- Chuck Kobasew. Absolutely flying out there. He'll be rewarded eventually.
- Rhett Warrener. What more can be said about his hit on Bertuzzi? Well...this. Wicked.
Negatives:
- Less than 3 goals for. 16 games and counting.
- Jordan Leopold. His play shows that his drought is starting to weigh on him. Made some hesistant and questionable plays early on in the neutral and offensive zones. Needs to get the monkey off his back...0 points. 16 games and counting.
- Even though they generated chances, the primary scorers failed to make the scoresheet for the 2nd straight game.
- 0-4 on the PP. No PP goals in 2 games now.
- That punk Jarko Ruutu. Someone's gonna bash his head in one day. And I will laugh.
Anyways, the re-match is tonight. Here's hoping that:
1.) It's as entertaining
2.) Calgary scores some damn goals, and
3.) The Jumbotron falls on Ruutu during the pre-skate.
Here's hopin'...I'll be wearing my lucky rabbits head as I watch tonight...
