Calgary Flames

Mo-Vember ends with a win

November 30, 2010

With the win tonight the Flames finished the month of November with a 4-7-2 record – a far cry from last year’s 10-2-2 domination over the month of Moustaches. For his part, Jarome Iginla continued his November tirade scoring eight goals and adding five assists in 13 games. Not only did he score more, but Iginla began asserting himself more in the play. He was the Iggy of old and it really couldn’t have come at a better time. Funny enough, Alex Tanguay had 13 points (2G 11A) as well in the 13 games in November. This has been a definite bright spot for the Flames this year as Tanguay and Iginla actually have chemistry – which has been hard to come by recently. Bouwmeester ...

Flames return the same team

November 29, 2010

Derrick Newman

3 Comments

Here are some numbers from the five game road-trip the Flames just came back from: A record of 1-2-2. Outscored 14-9. Average of 2.8 goals against per game. Average of 1.8 goals for per game. Outshot 161-146. 1 for 15 on the PP or 6.67% completion, including going 0 for 12 in the final four games. 16 for 21 on the PK or 76.19% efficiency 1 -1 in shootouts Only one blown lead – to blow a lead, you must first have a lead and those were few and far between. 1-2-1 against the Atlantic division. Injuries: Stajan (2 games), Regehr (1 game). Both returned before the trip was done. So in summation: The power play is horrifyingly bad which coincides with...

Flames finally win, thanks Pronger

November 27, 2010

Derrick Newman

1 Comment

The Flames beat the best the league had to offer, or at least the best in terms of points coming into today, downing the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in a shootout. The win didn’t come without its share of controversy as the Flyers had an apparent winning goal disallowed in overtime due to Chris Pronger doing his best impersoation of Sean Avery. With the Flyers on a power play with less than two minutes to play in the extra frame, the Flyers Captain Mike Richards appeared to have ended the game with Pronger screening in front. However, the ref waved the goal off immediately and sent Pronger to sin bin for two minutes. Not for goaltender interference, but for acting in an unsportsmanlike man...

Flames continue slide

November 23, 2010

Derrick Newman

0 Comments

The Calgary Flames lost 2-1 to the New York Rangers tonight. The Flames had their chances to tie the game, but were stymied by the post, Martin Biron’s pads/glove, or a combination of both. This is an all too familiar tale. So what else can I say that hasn’t be said already. Nothing really, and so instead I will look at some individual efforts that have stuck out recently – both good and bad. Jarome Iginla has been Jarome Iginla lately, and this is nothing but a good sign for this hockey team. Pucks have been finding the back of the net and he has taken control of the play when given the chance. With nine goals now, and seven in the last five games, Iggy is back on pace...

Iggy Ignites, but Flames lose late

November 22, 2010

Derrick Newman

2 Comments

From satisfaction to utter shock. What just happened? Did that just happen? Did I just witness that? Surely, some of the many responses from shocked Flames fans after they blew a late two goal lead in Detroit to lose 5-4 to the Red Wings. But really, they didn’t do the things necessary to win the game. They took too many bad penalties (see Stajan tackling Filppula near the end of the game) and when they were HANDED an opportunity to close the game out, they decided to take the conservative route instead. Let me explain. The Flames were awarded a 4-minute power play mid-way through the third period when leading 4-2. The casual fan might think to just play it safe and don�...

The trade that didn't change anything

November 18, 2010

Derrick Newman

8 Comments

I’m baaaaaaaack!!!! After spending a week talking about whether Man U could really win the premiership this year or whether the England victory over Australia will really shake the foundation of the rugby world, I am back in North America to talk about the sport we all know and love: ice hockey (or at least that’s what everyone kept calling it over in jolly old England). Every time I mentioned hockey some guy would say, “Oh yeah, I just came from the pitch from a great hockey game.” And I would respond, “Field hockey?” and he would say, “Yeah, what in the bloody hell are you talking about?” Well, it’s time to talk some ice hockey. I’m tired of waiting in this da...

Round and round we go

November 8, 2010

Derrick Newman

2 Comments

Do you remember the scene from National Lampoon’s European Vacation when the Griswold’s enter a traffic circle and then gets stuck in it and goes around and around and around and around, unable to break through and drive in another direction? Well, the Calgary Flames are the Griswold’s and are stuck in said traffic circle. With every gut-wrenching 2-1 loss, with every failed power play, with every game where the players say, “We had a really good first period, and then kind of let up.” The same trivial excuses day in and day out: The players haven’t bought in; they weren’t battling hard enough; the power play can’t find ways to score. It’s a tad monotonous isn’...

Remember, remember the month of November

November 4, 2010

Derrick Newman

0 Comments

“In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate.” Is that Jarome Iginla? Well, it’s entirely possible. A man who is both chastised for what he doesn’t do, but loved for what he does. It’s a fascinating situation to be in and now that November is upon us it is historically Jarome’s, and the Calgary Flames time to shine. Let me explain. Despite the Calgary Flames losing their third in a row, at home, on Wednesday night, there is reason for hope in this city. After blowing leads in four straight games, three of which resulted in losses, the Flames now head out on the road for the majority of the coming...

Flames fall from grace

November 1, 2010

Derrick Newman

5 Comments

This past week has been an interesting one in the world of the Calgary Flames. It has been a week of blown chances, missed opportunities, and horrendous defence. The Flames went 1-2 over the seven day span beating Edmonton, and then subsequently losing to Colorado and Washington. They blew a 4-1 lead to the Oilers, only to salvage the win in a shootout. They blew a 3-1 lead to the Avs – eventually falling 6-5. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Washington, before allowing an avalanche (seven) of goals in the next 25 minutes of action. These are not exactly defining characteristics of mentally strong, defensive minded hockey teams – something Calgary was supposedly thought to be. The...

Flames Problems Have Changed

October 29, 2010

Derrick Newman

1 Comment

Well, at least the problem isn’t scoring goals anymore. The Calgary Flames, after averaging less than two goals for their first half dozen games, have become an offensive powerhouse reminiscent of the 84’ Oilers – averaging nearly four and a half goals per game. It’s simply ironic that once the Flames start scoring, the defence decides to take a break. They have allowed 10 goals in their last two games. The defence was horrid, but the goaltending wasn't much better. In his first home start as a Calgary Flame Henrik Karlsson allowed six goals on 33 shots. It wasn’t his finest performance and definitely didn’t instil a bunch of confidence in the team, the coach, or his f...