Let's tackle Calgary's Sunday afternoon redemption...
I gotta admit, after the team managed to flush a lead down the toilet in no less than 30 seconds 3 minutes into the game, I was a bit worried. Not to mention the Warenner "own goal" that put the bad guys up 3-1 in the first. Of course, given that Calgary seemingly prefers to play catch-up, I shouldn't have been too worried.
It was an odd reveral of the previous match between the two teams. It took a mere period to score 5 goals in this contest, versus the 2 that were scored in the final ten minutes of the previous game. Not only did the Flames solve Munro 5 times, but they scored their first only 40 seconds in. Of course, Calgary's defensive game was technically (marginally) worse than Thursday's set-back...not that it mattered. Gotta say though - the Warenner and Ference duo still make me nervous (see 2nd Chicago goal).
In addition, the news was first very good and then very bad for Calgary and Hamrlik. Hammer scored 3 points, including an assist on the game winning goal - only to go down to injury again. This time the culprit is a swollen hand thanks to a blocked shot. No one knows how long he'll be out of the line-up...again. ARGH! On a related note, Calgary called up farm stand-out Mark Giordano to fill in while Roman's down. Should be interesting to see how he performs tonight against the Blues...
Positives and Negatives:
Positives:
- Reinprecht with a strong outting. Scores 3rd goal and draws 2 penalties that lead to the Dion Phaneuf GW PP goal. Speaking of which...
- Dion Phaneuf. Another PP GWG. I've heard some rumblings about The Dion being included in the Olympic roster AND some potential Norris nominations. Wow. Leads the team in assists and PP goals.
- Roman Hamrlik. 3 point night shows what we've been missing for 6 weeks...and will continue to miss, apprently.
- Kobasew. Scores his 4th in 3 games on a nifty "swat outta mid-air" kind of play. Tied for 2nd on the team with 15 goals.
- PP goes for an impressive 3for6.
- Chris Simon is back to 3rd and 4th line minutes, where he belongs.
Negatives:
- Ference and Warenner. Just plain stupid during the first period. Caused the 2nd and 3rd goals against.
- Jarome Iginla. That makes 3 straight games Jarome has been left off of the scoresheet. After his mid-January revival, he seems to be sinking back into the ineffectual play that has dogged him this whole season.
- First period. The Flames surrender 3 goals and 15 shots to the lowly Hawks. Hardly the best way to iniate revenge...
Next up - Blue(s) Monday.
