When I'm Wrong, I Say I'm Wrong
Quick Robyn - what movie is that line from?
Thankfully the NHL reviewed the instigator penalty to Staubitz and they've rescinded it and the game misconduct. That means no game suspension and no hefty fine to Richards. Instigator penalties are always reviewed so that's not unusual. What is unusual is the clear message the league sent regarding the horrific reffing of last night's game. Too bad the refs still cost Khudobin his second consecutive shutout. I love Russo's Rant on how blatantly bad the refs were last night! I'm curious as to how the officiating will be tonight, given that three out of the four refs from last night are reffing tonight's game.
Nice anthem singer for the Calgary Flames!
Who's This Goalie?
Oh yeah, it's Nik - back from the disabled list. I don't know if I'm ready for Nik's laid back style of goaltending. I'm told once you go Dobby, you never go back ;)
First Period
Havlat's on a streak again, being in the right place at the right time, resulting in a goal 4 minutes into the game. They don't call him the Flames Killer for nothing! This is a continuing good sign as the Wild really need that lead right off the bat to bolster their confidence. Nice penalty draw by Staubitz to put the Wild on the power play shortly after. Interesting to see Staubitz being escorted to the bench after the call by the ref...wouldn't you love to hear that conversation? Mikko has the team up 2-0 over the Flames in short order! Hmmm, this is starting to look like a replay of the Oilers game. We take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Let's all join in a group prayer for a second period of strong Wild play.
Second Period
Calgary gets chippy right off the bat and get called for boarding. At least the refs saw it and called it. You better believe they're being watched in Toronto tonight, big time. The Wild go on the 5 minute power play. I'm seeing some issues here - puck turnovers while having the man advantage as well as too much time spent in our own zone. Great work by PMB on the blue line in the offensive zone to keep the puck in. Unfortunately, too much time spent passing, passing, passing and some more passing. Three whole shots in five minutes. Then the Wild start taking penalties...boy, this is looking all too familiar. Come on guys, get your shit together here. Thank God Backstrom isn't showing any rust - making a couple of tremendous saves for the guys in front of him. As if they can hear me cursing at my t.v. back here in Minnesota the guys start driving to the offensive zone with more intensity. It pays off with a Brunette Special (sic pass from his office behind the net) to John Madden who was lurking in front of the net and the result is a 3-0 lead. Saweeeet!
Third Period
And we're playing, we're skating along, we're two minutes and thirty seconds into the period. I'm just hearing blah-blah-blah from the dumbo duo on t.v. because I've learned to tune them out and just focus on the game - got my own commentary going on in my head. Then, without warning BAM! Clutterbuck snipes one in from the top of the circle! 4-0 baby! Tons of hockey left, don't get cocky. See, Iginla just skates through all five of our guys in our zone like we're not even on the ice to get into position behind the net. At the 10 minute mark Calgary is just drilling over and over again at Backstrom - who calmly denies all entry requests. The Wild show they can do the same thing and drive in on Kipper. Kobasew makes a diving flail with his stick as he goes down and the puck goes in! Wow, 5-0! And to top it off Havlat picks up his second goal of the game, which is also his 200th goal! Nice assist to Clutterbuck. The bad news in this period is the Flames outshot the Wild 16 to 6. The good news - Second night of back to back games on the road and we've got 4 points in our pocket! Let's not forget for a minute that we need all 8 points from this road trip. So, enjoy the win boys but you better be thinking about the next game in San Jose and how you're going to go at them.
200 Level
No, I'm not referring to where Vicki and I sit for home games - although we do love our home away from home.
I'm talking about Clutterbuck playing in his 200th NHL game tonight.
PMB got his 200th assist in last night's game.
Havlat hit 199 for goals in the first period of tonight's game and then the big 200 in the third.
Miettinen is looking for his 200th assist, could happen by the end of this road trip.
Flames Fan Facebook Update Coming Soon!
Check back later in the day on Thursday for the results of a friendly ongoing bet between Robyn and a Flames friend/fan... God, I love hockey fans!
No comments:
Post a Comment