Well the new look Flames with 4 new players and minus a big D man, that D man, Dion Phaneuf, one of the best open ice hitters in the game. They took on the Flyers who've been up and down as of late. The Flyers early on took notice of the missing D-man and put the pressure on early as they spent their first few shifts for the lines in the Flames end. The Flyers came out with a ton of energy and jump to punish the Flames in their end. Even though the Flyers punished the Flames even on the powerplay, the one constant in Calgary is the Kipper. Mikka Kiprusoff is the unknown genius in net here on the east coast, more like a west coast Canadian secret, just making one unbelievable save after another against the Flyers in the first period. At the other end, as well as a powerplay against him, Ray Emery came up big with some dribbling luck as a puck dribbled past him, but wide. Although both offenses had plenty of chances, including a powerplay each, all they could muster is 7 shots each and no goals on the board.
Just as well the second period started much like the first, a lot of up and down and chances by the Flyers but nothing to show for it. They sure did press the play in the Flames with good cycling and good chances but Kiprusoff answered the bell on them. It would take just a small miracle it would seem to beat Kipper and they got just that from Mike Richards at 10:16, midway through the second frame on a spectacular play from Gagne. The Flyers play in the period was quite offensive as hits from the forecheck caused disruption in the breakout of the Flames and caused many chances for the Flyers. Although they walked away from the period up 1-0, they could of had plenty more had it not been for the excellent goaltending from Kiprusoff. Not to be outdone Emery turned aside, yet again not a lot of shot, 10 shots from the Flames offense.
Well the third period it was the Flyers that came out on fire, snuffing out the Flames and putting on their own fire. About a 1:49 into the third, Jay Bouwmeester was last man back to defend on a two on one with Claude Giroux left all alone in the middle, on a breakaway he just backhanded it to the roof behind Kiprusoff. Giroux continues to dazzle the NHL with his great goals and this was no different against an excellent goaltender, he shined for the west coast to see. Late in the third period the Flyers put the icing on the cake when on a powerplay Carter won an offensive draw and Richards capitalized, scoring his second of the night at 17:44. As well that shined tonight the Flyers hunger shined, they were the first to the puck, the first to check a Flame off a puck and they wanted to get dirty and score. They also kept all the shots from the Flames outside the slot and the dots, the scoring areas. They really snuffed out the Flames, were all over them and just didn't let them breathe. The only question surrounding this game, Why can't they play like this every game? Hmmm guess we will have to wait and see.
The Flyers get another shot at a Canadian team victory on Wed at 9:30 visiting the Edmonton Oilers.
No comments:
Post a Comment