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With less than 2 seconds to go, the Calgary Flames were able to pull one out in Edmonton and we’re now talking about a 4-0 team. Rene Bourque’s goal at 19:58 of the 3rd period tied the game at 3, and the Flames would take a 4-3 shootout win over the Oilers on Thursday night at Rexall Place.
To me, the most complete game we’ve seen this year from the Flames…it just so happened they needed a late goal to force extra time. Credit the Oilers, I thought they looked real good tonight, winning puck battles and limiting mistakes. But Calgary’s forecheck was good once again and they did 2 things really well tonight.
Those 2 things would be simple things in the game of hockey. First off, they threw pucks on net. One of the negative themes of the first 3 wins was Calgary’s inability sometimes to generate shots and chances from sustained possession. That wasn’t the case tonight…overall, Calgary attempted 62 shots, 28 of which got through. Obviously, they’re going to want to increase how many get through, but there was a concerted effort to put more rubber on net and it paid off. All 3 goals came that way.
The second thing was the traffic in front. All 3 goals came because of screens in front, and 2 of Calgary’s 3 goals were re-directs in front (Dawes and Bourque). That’s one thing that I felt wasn’t a big enough part of their game last year, and it’s good to see it being a part of the gameplan tonight (and this season).
Individually…loved Bourque, thought he was the best player all night. 3 points, he was dangerous, tied the game and was physical. Better night for Regehr too…yeah he was -1, but his angles and his physical play seemed much better tonight (at least from TV). And the top line seemed much more engaged tonight…hard on the boards, quicker on the skates, much harder to steal the puck from. Their ice time was up and I thought they looked really good.
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Just want to relay Quinn’s Comments:
On Souray: No update, hit pretty hard (mumbles for words). Don’t understand the players of today. In old days they would have got hit with a stick on the head. Dirty play. Unfortunately they won’t let the vigilantes sort that sort of stuff out.
Re: the Moureau fight: “In the era I come from you do dirt with dirt. Why would you give a man honour for that type of play?” Don’t answer dirt with honour.
Cheers
PS: Still in awe of Quinn’s comments almost 24 hours later! Bottom line, Iginla didn’t hammer Moreau when he could have in that fight. Seems like a dirty move to me. Oh wait.
- CraigIs Pat Quinn out to lunch. Iggy is one of the nhl’s role models and would never intentionally hurt another player it’s not his syle. As for our team the season is young. This team has many games to play and the make up of a team that could briing the holy graile home to canadain soil. Sutter knows how to make a team and sutter behind the bench show grit go flames go!!!
PS: You’re right, the season is young…and the Dallas game showed there is still lots of improvment needed.
- TravisWhen the Flames iced it with less than 1 min to go wasn’t kipper not allowed to change for the extra attacker? I saw one game where the ref refused to let goalies change on a icing.
PS: I’m not sure…I didn’t catch it. I don’t belive that is a rule however.
- Zach