So the 10 days leading up to my vacation were pretty standard fair for the Calgary Flames: frustrating losses, the build up to Jarome Iginla’s 500th goal, injuries. I struggled to find two stories to put on a schedule to post while I was away, the sad little post about Theo Fleury’s new singing career was the only thing I could get up here before I left.
And then, as I sit floating in the middle of the ocean, the Flames decided they are gonna give quite a show.
First there was the blow out against the New Jersey Devils. Now as a resident of the Garden State, nothing makes me happier than seeing the Devils fall apart at the hands of my favorite team. The Flames really showed up for the game, with three defense men scoring (Jay Bouwmeester, Cory Sarich, and TJ Brodie) and three guys would are expected to show up and play every game like they did (Curtis Glencross, Jarome Iginla, Lee Stempniak). The team came out and played, I wish I could have said the same about the next game.
Okay, yes, I know the Flames walked away with 2 points at the end of it all, but come on! It’s the Anaheim Ducks! Yes, I know they are in 13th and the Flames are in 12th for the Western Conference but there’s 9 points separating them! Step it up and play like the team you are, don’t hand them points. Let the Ducks struggle on their own!
And then, to have the LA Kings come in and light up the ‘Dome like that? What the hell? Yes, in his debut, Mike Cammalleri (I’ll tackle that in another post, I know you’re all waiting with bated breath) scored a goal, but it was the ONLY goal against a team that has Dustin Penner on it! Penner, the man who has spawned two Twitter memes (Penner Point, Penner Pancake). The heft of a left wing who currently only has 3 goals. Okay, yes I know he did not score against the Flames, but come on! It is frustrating! So glad I missed this game.
And honestly, I have no idea what happened in the San Jose Sharks game. I know it was a shoot out. I know the Flames lost. Outside of that, honestly I don’t know.
Tonight, the Flames get to try to reclaim some dignity, and more importantly, points against the LA Kings in The Staples Center. With the same goalies (Miikka Kiprusoff and Jonathan Quick) and the return of Matt Stajan to the line up after an ankle injury. Hopefully his return will help mask the struggle the Flames will face missing Curtis Glencross over these next few games as he recovers from a lower body injury suffered in the San Jose game. With Alex Tanguay, David Moss, Derek Smith, and Henrik Karlsson still battling injuries, the loss of Glencross will effect more than just my eye candy factor in tonight’s game.
It’s a battle of the brothers. Sutter versus Sutter. I’d say let “our Sutter” win, but I’m pretty sure that even as he basks in the sun of LA, Darryl has never truly left Alberta. So let’s go with “Let Brent Sutter win!”
Go Flames Go!