Well, it's been a long time in-between posts for me. Blame the holidays and all the various requisite antics that go along with them...
However Im back to comment on the Flames come from behind victory over the Wild last night. However, before we get to that, let's catch-up a tad:
- Flames defeat Vancouver 6-5 in a shoot-out. Probably one of the most exciting hockey games this year. Not exactly a gem in terms of defensive performace, but a great one to win nonetheless. Should (but wont) quiet the constant accusations that Calgary is a "boring" team.
- Flames defeat Vancouver 2-1. Not quite as good as the pre-Christmas Day shoot-out. Huselius proves his worth with 2 points and the Flames win thanks to Vancouver constantly hitting posts.
- Flames fall to Nashville 4-3. Like so many other losses this year, the Flames went up 2-0 early and then sucked the-big-one for the rest of the game. Also...One of Iginla's worst games this year.
I think that about does it.
Last night's game was half a snore-fest and half a remarkable turn-around for several slump-mired Flames. Most notably, Donovan managed to break-out of his 30-something game scoring slump when he knotted the score at 2 near the end of the second. In addition, the much maligned Jason Wiemer finally did something useful and scored an insurance goal later in the 3rd. The Cherry-on-top was Richie Regehr going +2 and getting an assist in his first NHL appearance. Kudos!
The first half of last night's contest was nearly unwatchable. Calgary looked lathargic and the Wild were the Wild. The Flames seemed to come alive after falling behind 2-1 late in the second. Shean Donovan was the main spark behind the Flame's awakening; not only did he score the tying goal, he fired 5 shots on net, assisted on Wiemer's goal and was voted first star on the evening. Finally! Dono's starting to look something like the player that scored 18 goals (8 game-winners) last season.
On other hand we have Jarome Iginla. While watching his impassioned performance during the 6-5 win over Vancity, I was hopeful that he had snapped out of his December doldrums. How wrong I was. Iginla has been all but invisible since. He played a mere 17 minutes against the Predators and was a complete non-factor in Calgary's 4-3 loss on Wed. night. He played a similar game last night against the Wild - shots misfired or shot into the goalies chest. Clumsy play along the perimeter with an inability to significantly penetrate the offensive zone. A tendency to turn the puck over. 0 points...
Positives:
- Calgary wins and reclaims (for now) 1st place in the NW Division.
- Donovan sets the tone with this work ethic and speed. Breaks out of his slump with an impressive performance.
- Reinprecht with another 2 points, including the game winner. Starting to come alive.
- Wiemer plays one his best games of the year and finally scores.
- Amonte ends his own mini-slump of 5 games with a PP goal.
- 2nd half of the game. Calgary comes alive to salt away the victory.
Negatives:
- First half of the game. Ugly and boring.
- Iginla. Mediocre play, at best. Completely ineffectual right now.
- Phaneuf. Great play to set-up the PP goal, but was on for both Wild goals and at least 2 other Wild break-aways (and was the culprit behind Rolston's penalty-shot). Minnesota's penchant for the stretch-pass and sneaking players behind the Flames d-men exploited Phaneuf's inexperience.
The Flames next meet Edmonton on New Years Eve. The two teams are battling for 1st in the division (and the season series is notted at 2 wins apeice), setting the stage for an all-out war. Will this be the catalyst for Iginla's awakening? And how many times am I going to have ask that question?
