Finally the Flames show a 2-game consistency, and destroy the hapless Coyotes. Yes, that’s right, the same Coyotes that beat them LAST WEEK.
The big C finally found their defensive consistency, developed a 4-line attack, and had very good goaltending. A game against a conference leader would have been much closer, but you can’t beat the flames when all three elements are firing.
One thing should be noted, that the game from ice-level is very much different than the press-box view. Being on the same surface, it is really impressive how small the margin for error is regarding passes through seams, and one-touch passing on the power-play. As a player who delves into 1 MPH lunch-hour shinny, even the worst 4th liner has great vision. Calgary effectively thwarted a very aggressive Phoenix PK through lightning puck-movement. It was incredible to watch. Result? Phoenix relegated back to the passive-box, and got subsequently dismantled for the rest of the night.
As an aside, I believe that I have found the virtue in Warrener. Public opinion on the big Saskatchewanite and his decision-making has been parallel with Britney Spears’ ability to resist eating glue and swallowing crayons. I.e. Not good. All focus seems to be when star players are allowed to score their ‘highlight’ goals and when, unfortunately, the defenseman they walk around is good ol’ Rhett…nevertheless
There are some things that I feel have really been over-looked, and thus why Zyuzin and Giordano have been left out of the line-up when an injured RW has been left in…
1. Active-Stick, and Herding to the Boards
This natural farm-boy seems to bring this philosophy onto the ice, and applies it well. When a sheep…er…skilled forward comes barreling down the ice, Warrener uses his long pole to herd the carrier towards the boards and crush the poor Slovak. Why is this forgotten? Ask yourself, how would this play make Sportscentre? I guess you could say if he was using….nevermind.
2. On-ice Communication
RW is ALWAYS yelling and screaming on-ice…warning his goalie, advising his forwards, letting his defensive partner that he’s going to get a bunch of minuses, and letting know opponents on the other team that they would be best suited for the minors…none of it eloquently, but the message definitely gets across.
3. “Your wife’s a dyke!” – Reg Dunlop
RW is very important to helping the Flames re-discover their tough-as-nails identity. He always hits his man in the corner, he is always jawing at the opposition, he is serving as a rugged on-ice player-coach. He plays the mental game we want out of our veteran D-men.
As for the performance of other players last night, the second star should have been the first…Amonte was strong on the forecheck all night, and his effort on sometimes BOTH Pheonix D-men led to Primeau’s sniping. Amonte was taking the body all night, hitting much larger Coyotes D with no abandon, and always moving his feet. He was the best energy forward (right ahead of Moss), and created a tonne of chances. Great job Tony.
All in all, solid performance by Noodles, a 2 goals-against defensive effort, 2 PP goals, and 5 goal offensive output and 2 Flames Firsts.
