As the Flames finished the regular-season with a shorthanded line-up due to Salary Cap issues and injuries, there were more than a few disgrunted fans.

  All’s well that ends well. Wednesday the Flames were reduced to playing 9 forwards just like old days (a week-and-half ago) and Coach Mike Keenan felt being familiar with playing short-staffed helped the Flames gain a 6-4 win over Chicago.  Now the series is even at 2-2.

  Speaking of all’s well that ends well. 

  The weird game saw the Blackhawks score the first goal only to have the Flames take it away. Then in the first half of the 2nd period the Flames charged to a 4-1 lead. However, the fans had barely settled into what was thought to be a “comfort zone” when the Hawks struck for 3 goals in the 2nd half of the 2nd.

  As the game went to the 2nd intermission, fears of a a lost opportunity made the rounds among Flame followers.  Not the players. Regaining their composure, Eric Nystrom gave the Flames a goal they wouldn’t relinguish at 13:04 of the 3rd.

  Salary Caps issues aren’t what reduced the Flame line-up It was injuries.  Craig Conroy, who hasn’t missed a game all year, left after the first period with an undisclosed ailment. Then Daymond Langkow left after blocking a shot with his hand. Although participating in the pre-game warm-up, Rene Bourque, did not play and no injury undate was made.

  As the club heads to Chicago for Game 5 on Saturday, they have more than enough players around to fill the line-up card, but just who will play in the group of 18 skaters and a goalie is a huge question.

  Nobody’s questioning Ollie Jokinen about why he hasn’t scored anymore.  The big centre, who’s acquistion from Phoenix at the trade deadline plus a stream of injuries forced the shorthanded line-up for the final 5 games of the schedule, scored 2 goals and assisted on another.  His goals were his first in 17 games.

    All’s well that ends well. The Flames hope the big Finn can keep it going.

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