Finding a way to lose.
I didn't want to drag this old cliche out. I really didn't. But they've FORCED me to. Three straight games of one goal deficits, brain cramps, shoddy special teams and losses to potential play-off bubble opponents. It's only fitting, really.
And so it went last night. The floundering Bruins not only managed to score on their first shift, but also on their first powerplay of the evening. The Flames penalty-killing is so utterly pitiful right now it took the Bruins a mere 4 seconds to score with the man advantage.
Many of the other issues that lead to losses previously in the roadtrip were front and center last night as well. Another soft goal by Kipper. Oh for three on the powerplay. Friesen's give away at the Bruins blueline lead to the first tally - another PeeWee level mistake on a team that supposedly prides itself on defensive awareness. Let's not forsake the dumb penalties taken by Amonte and Warrener in the 3rd either. During a game in which the officiating was surprisingly lax, Amonte breaks his stick and then waves it at a passing Bruin. Automatic call. Shortly after that, Warrener manages to cap his 12 minute, -1 performance by clearing the puck over the glass from his own end. Automatic call.
Finding a way to lose.
Not that it's all bad, though. Lomabardi and Kobasew are FINALLY getting close to 20 minutes a game. Coupled with Tanguay's continued improvement, it looks like the Flames might actually have 2 legit scoring lines for a change. The challenge that remains is getting all of the team's supposed strengths back on track.
Positives:
- Alex Tanguay. Scores second of the year and looks much more comfortable. Probably best game as a Flame.
- Lombardi/Kobasew. In concert with Tanguay, Lombo and Charles have combined to form the Flames most consistently dangerous unit the last two games.
- Dion Phaneuf. Playing nearly 30 minutes per night.
Negatives:
- Bad end to a miserable roadtrip. Only managed to snag 3 of 8 points against beatable opponents.
- Special teams. Like last October, the Flames are amongst the very worst in the league in both PK and PP. Last night it cost them. Again.
- Rhett Warrener/Andrew Ference. Watching these two guys give the puck away no less than 3 times during a shift that culminated in Murray's 1st goal had me yelling at the TV. Sigh.
- Miikka Kiprusoff. Outdueled by Raycroft, Huet and now Toivenen. Has given up a minimum of one bad goal per game in the last 3 contests.
- Jarome Iginla. Jarome looked really tired all night. For the third straight game, Iginla came up empty when the Flames needed a gamebreaker.
- Face-offs. Only Iginla eclipsed the 50% mark in the circle last night. And he's a fragging WINGER.
- Injury to Yelle. Just when the Flames are sturggling they lose their best defensive forward and face-off center. Early indications are he suffered a fractured ankle, meaning he'll be out for a significant period of time. BOOO!
- Tony Amonte. Starting to approach "totally useless" levels.
The Flames return to Calgary to take on the equally terrible Coyotes next Tuesday. One way or the other, a losing streak is going to be snapped....
