Flames Sneak By Canucks

Your humble writer had the privilege of attending the Calgary Flames‘ win over the Vancouver Canucks tonight, pulling it out 3-2 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Here’s a few things I spotted, and would like to discuss with you all.

I and my companion were not optimistic after a dismal first period from Calgary, where they allowed a shorthanded goal, and were out-shot 12-3. The effort on Calgary’s end got better as the game went along: the second period was more even, and Calgary carried the play in the third, getting much better chances than they had previously. Though Vancouver’s skill and speed advantage were apparent in the early going- it is a pleasure watching a team that can pass and handle the puck like they do- Calgary didn’t get so far behind that they couldn’t get back into it. Once they started playing physical in the second period, the tide started to turn.

Canucks fans were unfortunately well represented in the Saddledome stands, which didn’t surprise me a lot, this being a late season game where the Flames were more or less out of it. There were also, strangely, some Bruins fans in the crowd, which made for some amusing exchanges. A gentleman in front of us had a “Thomas” jersey, and exchanged some friendly trash talk with the Canucks fans around him.

I had the following conversation with a beer vendor after the second intermission, when I was seeking libations to drown my sorrows:

Vendor: “How’s the game going?”

Me: “Not well. It’s not really a good sign when the best thing you can say is that we’re only down 1-0.”

Vendor: “Well, the Flames are a comeback team- I think they’ve got a great third period in them.”

Whether by blind luck or actual supposition, it turned out to be an accurate forecast.

It was apparent to most viewers that the Canucks were playing at half-speed. Cory Schneider got the start in goal (and didn’t make much account of himself), and there weren’t many risks taken with the puck. It seemed like they were counting on their copious depth and natural talent to carry the day, with their focus clearly on the post season. Even at half speed, it was a pleasure to watch this team move the puck, and make tape-to-tape passes, something the Flames have struggled with ever since I started watching them.

This isn’t to take away from a solid effort by the Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff had his usual batch of bail-out saves, and Blake Comeau and Jay Bouwmeester did great grunt work when the Flames kept getting caught in their own zone early in the game. My companion had an apt description for Bouwmeester: “He’s the plumber, soaking up all the crap everyone else leaves around.” He did well at that on this night.

Mark Giordano had an off night, committing several weird turnovers, and drawing a penalty when the Flames were on the power play. Akim Aliu notched an assist in his first NHL game, and made his presence felt throughout this game physically, at one point mixing it up with Canucks pest Maxim Lapierre. Which probably wasn’t the smartest thing he’d ever done, giving Lapierre’s penchant for goading players into dumb penalties, but his energy and physicality were hard to miss.

It’s amazing I’ve gotten this far without mentioning Mike Cammalleri, who had two goals in the third to give the Flames the win, with Curtis Glencross notching the other on a “hey, look what I found!” wrister. Cammalleri’s skill is apparent, watching him. He’s quick, and good with the puck- on one of his goals, he’d separated so well that there wasn’t a Canuck near him, save for Schneider. It’s also apparent that he’d prefer to play one end of the ice, something we probably notice more on a high-effort team like the Flames. There were several instances where he could be caught loafing when coming back to his own zone. He got first star- and deservedly so- but a good coach would hopefully remind him that the Flames need him on both ends.

Props to the Canucks for some Olympic-quality diving late in the third,with Chris Higgins drawing a penalty with under two minutes to go. Alexander Burrows attempted a similar feat once it was 6-on-4 and the play was near the Flames’ net, but thankfully the referees weren’t going to stand for THAT tripe.

My companion and I debated potential playoff teams as we watched, and I mused on what I thought were the Canucks’ good chances to go far in an uncertain Western Conference. He disagreed, thinking that their defense had fallen off, and that Roberto Luongo could be had in a long playoff series. I mentioned previously that I think Luongo gets more crap than he deserves, and that his run in the playoffs last year would have disproved any “he’s not clutch” notions.

All in all, great game from the Flames, pulling out a win over a hated rival. What did you think?

Go Flames Go!