I don't feel like going too in depth on a Sunday morning. So let's just say, I feel good about the Flames last win (and first shut-out of the season) even if I don't particularly like how they went about it. The first period and a half were decent - they probably out-chanced the Red Wings, even with one of the limpest displays on the PP I've ever seen. Then, around the middle mark of the middle frame, Detroit pretty much took over. Even though they were lacking 4 of their top defenseman and a one of their top 6 forwards, the Red Wings looked like the far superior team for the remainder of the game, particularly in the 3rd when they out-shot the Flames 13-2 (and hit 2 goal-posts besides). On home ice against a severely depleted team, that just shouldn't happen.
Oh well. Kipper was finally good enough and lucky enough to pitch his first no-hitter on Friday. The only streak left to break now is David Hale's personal string of consecutive strike-outs. Hale's definitely played better in the latter half of the season which has led to the abolition of his former nickname around here (ie "fringe player") and it's obvious he's been pressing for that first career marker recently (anyone see him jump up into that short-handed 2on1 recently?). Still, it's hard to bet on him scoring any time soon...he's got the sort of shot control/power that make Todd Simpson smirk in smug superiority...
Anyways, division leading Minnesota Wild up today. They're up and down recently, going 5-3-2 in their last 10. Their goaltending and defense doesn't seem as good this year as previous times, but their scoring is making up the difference. A win this afternoon would catapult the Flames - temporarily - above the Wild in standings while a loss leaves us with Vancouver, Nashville and San Jose on the play-off bubble...
Prediction - Flames fall behind early but score 2 in the third to win it. Calgary 2 (Iginla, HALE!), Minny 1 (Rolston).
Go Flames
