It’s said that bad habits are difficult to shake, but the Flames must quickly find a way shake the second period blahs.

   In Saturday’s 3-2 setback in Edmonton it was the same-old-same-old — good first period, ugly second and stable third.  The result a 1-3-1 record through the first 5 games of the season, all against NW Division rivals.

   Saturday’s first period was complete domination by the Flames.  They outscored the Oilers 2-0 while outshooting them, 17-3. Both goals were on the PP as Mike Keenan’s crew forced Edmonton into taking penalties.

   The 2nd period saw the Flames as flat as the prairies. They permitted 3 goals — all even strength and all in a span of less than 4 minutes.  The Flames came back with a sound third period but couldn’t solve Oiler goalie Mathieu Garon. 

   In five 2nd periods the Flames have been outscored, 11-2.  Substracting the opening night 6-0 hammered in Vancouver, the Flames have outscored the opponent, 12-7 in the other periods. For whatever reason the club gets away from game plan in the middle session.  In three of the club’s 4 losses they’ve had the leader — twice by 2 goals.

   From Coach Keenan to goal-a-game Todd Bertuzzi all have vowed to find a may to remedy the the horrible 2nd period play.

    They’ll need to find the solution quickly.  The Flames are last in the NW Division including a 5-point deficit on the Oilers and Minnesota, who share first place. Both the Oilers and Wild have played one less game.

   Tuesday the league’s highest scoring team, Washington Capitals, play in the Saddledome.

   While Bertuzzi has 5 goals in 5 games, the other Flame standout Saturday was centre Daymond Langkow, who scored a goal and assisted on another.

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