Another incredible NW Division game marked the end of the 2005 year for Calgary and Edmonton. This contest, like the last few Calgary/Edmonton, Edmoton/Vancouver and Calgary/Vancouver games, had a little bit of everything: end-to-end action, ceaseless lead changes, big hits and special team(s) scoring. Even the announcers for the last 2 Flames games aired on CBC have sounded both delighted and stunned by the near play-off intensity and entertainment value the games have offered.
From a Flames fan perspective, the most recent victory over the Oil had both very positive and negative aspects to it. Offense? Yay! Defense? Boo! Powerplay? Yay! Penalty Killing? Boo! Winning high scoring contests? Double Yay! Having to score 6 to win a game? BOOOOOOOOOOO.
Yes, December seemed to signal a bit of a reversal in Flames identity. Over the course of the month, the Flames averaged a little more than 3.15 goals per game. In addition, their Goals Against ballooned slightly to 2.46 per game. In the end, it's hard to argue the results: despite losing the likes of Hamrlik, Yelle and more recently Warrener and Amonte to injury, the Flames managed to go 9-3-1 during December to claim 1st in the NW going into the new year. What is perhaps even more encouraging for Flames fan's is the fact that neither Jarome Iginla nor Miikka Kiprusoff were particularly dominant over the last 13 games. There were brief flashes of brilliance for both (wins over NJ and Boston come to mind here), but neither can be credited with solely carrying the team for any length of time. In fact, Calgary has won their last couple of games despite the lackluster play of their captain.
More good news gleaned from December for Flames fans includes: the acquisition of Krisitan Huselius, the emergence of Damond Langkow and the re-awakening of Shean Donovan. Since being acquired from Florida, Huselius has 14 points in 12 games and is a +6 I believe. While his penchant for getting high-sticking penalities is annoying, Im sure no follower of the Flames can say they are disappointed with Sutter's latest trade. On a somewhat connected note, Langkow put together a very decent month in terms of offensive production. Due, perhaps, to some burgeoning chemistry with the aforementioned Swede, Langkow now sits with 27 points (4 behind Iginla for the team lead), including 13 goals and 14 assists. Significantly, Langkow has 7 PP goals and 4 Game Winners. His goal in overtime against Ottawa will be one of his more memorable tallies of the year - probably more due to it's significance than it's esthetic qualities.
And finally there's Shean Donovan. After going scoreless for a near eternity (35 games?), Dono has stepped it up big time the last week or so. He has 5 points in his last 2 games (3 goals, 2 assists), and has been a dynamic and almost dominating force on the ice. In the absence of an "Iginla-like" Iginla, Donovan has been a much-needed offensive spark recently. One can only hope he continues the streak as long as possible - or at least until Iginla awakens from his own particular slumber.
And now for the BofA Positives and Negatives -
Positives:
- Score in the last 2 minutes to seal the victory and claim sole posession of first in the division.
- Shean Donovan. Wow.
- Chris Simon. Seems to have developed chemistry with Dono and is making the most of it.
- Balanced Attack. The Flames score a variety of goals (PP, SH and even-strength) from a variety of sources (Langkow, Huselius, Donovan, Lombardi).
- Jordan Leopold. Still not scoring, but plays big minutes and ends the night +3. Now co-leads the team in +/- with a +11.
- Damond Langkow. Putting points up despite Iginla's slump. Another 2 PP goals.
Negatives:
- Still highly allergic to 2 goal leads. Allowed 3 unaswered after going up 2-0 (again).
- Undisciplined. 8 PP chances given up over the course of the evening. Spotted the Oilers 2 seperate 5 on 3 advantages.
- Penalty Killing. Rather abysmal. Only 50% on the evening.
- Team Defense, overall. Lacking 2 big defenseman (Warrener, Hamrlik) and their top defensive centerman (Yelle) is clearly hurting the Flames defensive-zone capabilities.
- Miikka Kiprusoff. Solid but hardly spectacular. Ales Hemsky's tying goal in the 3rd period should have been a routine save.
The Flames start the new year off tonight against the struggling Chicago Blackhawks. I earnestly hope Calgary can continue to overcome their various injuries and avoid duplicating the result from the last meeting with the 'Hawks (5-2 loss).
