To Trade..Or Not To Trade...

So...it's the time of year where rumors tend to run
Rampant in and around the NHL. Sure..they do that all
Year long to some degree, but more-so around the trade
Deadline and after the season's done.
You've got restricted free agents, unrestricted free
Agents, and heck..even those who are currently signed
But may be up for free agency after the next season etc..etc.

Right now one of the biggest rumors perhaps league wide
Is about the Calgary flames top two..possibly three players
Who's contracts are to come to an end at the end of next
Season.
Seems a tad early to be wondering what's going to happen,
Or for rumors to be flying 'round the league like flies on
Crap, but then again..there's likely very few GM's out there
Who aren't eying the situation with a keen interest.

First there's Miikka Kiprusoff, one of the Elite as far as
Goaltenders are concerned. Carrying the flames to within
One goal of the Stanley cup his first season as a starting
Goaltender, winning the Western Conference Championship
That year. Then last year..taking the flames to a Division
Title win and bringing home the Vezina trophy.
His acrobats in the net and his ability to put his best foot
Forward when his team needs him the most are no secret around
The league, making him a Goaltender that most GM's would give
The right arms of every player just to have in their net.

Then there's Jarome Iginla, the Flames Captian...
Consistently a 30+ goal a year scorer since 2001,
This last season would have been a career year for him had
He not missed 12 games due to a knee injury.
However..even with missing those 12 games he came within
2 points of his career record 96pts with 94 on the season.
Being a power forward, strong on the puck and a consistent
Player with experience and leadership abilities he could
Bring to any locker room, makes him an a strong candidate
For any team needing goals and leadership.
A world cup winner and Gold medal Olympian, Jarome has also won
The Maurice Rocket Richard trophy, the Art Ross trophy
And Lester B Pearson Award, a couple of them he's won twice.

Then... Rookie Sensation Dion Phaneuf, otherwise known around
The league as *The monster man*, or the leagues hardest
Hitter, scoring 20 goals and recording over 200 hits his
First season in the NHL, wracking up 49 points for a
Rookie Defense-man.
Then this year..scoring 17 goals and 33 assists, giving him
50 points on the season and recording 197 hits on the season.
His powerful one-timer from the blue-line is no secret among-st
Teams in the Western Conference, as well as his ability to
Score in almost any situation given the opportunity.
Dion would add a tough defensive edge to almost any team
With the added bonus of being effective on the PP's.

There's not one of these players who wouldn't draw some
Fine talent in a trade, of that..there's no doubt.
But it's also no secret that all three players have won
The hearts of almost every Flames fan and to lose any
Of them would be a devastating loss to the team.
Two are perhaps more replaceable IMO, but that doesn't
Minimize the effect losing them would have on the team.
Kipper and Iginla are two faces that pretty much make
Up the face of the Franchise.
Given the Ultimatum..the fans would hands down choose
To keep Kipper because elite goaltenders are harder
To find and keep perhaps than goal scorers and leaders.
Both Iginla and Kipper could easily ask for up to
9 million each when their contracts come due, and that
Would definitely put a strain on the Salary cap when
It comes to keeping other great players on the team as well.

Iginla has made it known that he wishes to stay in
Calgary and is willing to do what it takes to make that
Happen..The fans hope for that as well.

In the end..Rumors are rumors about weather Calgary
Can afford to keep them both and no one knows what's
Going to happen.
There is one thing I would place my bets on though..
And that is, if it is at ALL possible to do that..
Sutter will find a way to pull it off.
I'm not going to buy into the media hype just because
It makes for great headlines.
Instead...I'll wait to hear it from the man himself,
And we all know that until any or all deals are signed,
His lips will be sealed shut.

Post Season Thoughts...

Now after reading a couple articles in todays Calgary
Sun, I thought I'd quote a few of the things mentioned
And give my two cents on them.

So here goes...
(quotes from: STEVE MACFARLANE, SUN MEDIA)
Losing in six games to the Wings may be a blessing in
disguise for the Flames.

To rid this city of the unrealistic expectations of a
lengthy playoff run every spring can do nothing but good --
for the fans now balding from pulling out their hair,
to the players who say outside pressures don't affect
them but can't possibly enjoy answering the same
negative questions every morning.

Now while I agree with that statement to a degree, I don't
Think it can really apply to this past season or to the next
One, for the simple reason..it's been no secret so far as
The media and flames organization or it's players is concerned,
that with certian players contracts coming to a close in 2008,
Everyone placed high hopes on this past season, and for next.
Even GM Darryl Sutter, with the moves he made this season
Prior too and at the trade deadline made it evident he hoped
And still hopes for a cup win before then.

So no...Calgary, nor any team for that matter can have a
Fairytale run every season, it's just not feasible for
One team to make the finals every year. On the other hand
I don't think most people are forgetting that in a year
From now..Key players that have played a big role in our
Making the playoffs for 3 consecutive season might be up
For grabs, and that right now might be the best chance
We have in the next few years.


That doesn't mean the city shouldn't have high hopes for
the Flames, just be realistic when grading this year's performance.

It starts with making the playoffs, regardless of how the
berth is clinched. Of the league's 30 franchises, only 16 make it.

The Flames are the only squad in the Northwest Division
to qualify in each of the last three seasons.
They deserve credit for that.

Despite being unable to duplicate the same success on the
road, the Flames won a league-high 30 games at the
Saddledome this season.

They deserve a pat on the back for that, too.

But the better team won this playoff series.
That happens every once in a while.


Calgary does have some things to be proud of this season,
Making the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year,
Boasting a league best home win record with a Rookie head
Coach. Finishing in 7th place overall for goals scored..
Something they could only dream of the couple seasons
Previous.
A couple players managing to pull of Career best seasons.
Being an active player in the tightest division in the NHL
This season, despite finding it difficult to win away
From the Dome and it's sea of red.

I guess that too goes to show, just how big a part the fans
Play in the hearts of this team.

Thoughts The Morning After...

Chants of *Kipper* rang through the air in the Dome last night,
After a no less than spectacular performance by the Flames
Netminder Miikka Kiprusoff.
But once again the old story plays out, that one man can't
Win the Stanley Cup.

After a season most would regard as average perhaps by Kipper,
He did what he always does and stepped up to the plate when
The team needed him most.
Facing a total of 255 shots by the Detroit Redwings in the
Opening series of the playoffs, compared to Calgary's 129 on
Dominik Hasek.

In the end Kiprusoff did everything he could to give the team
In front of him a chance to win the series. But...you can't
Score if you don't shoot, and you can't win unless you score.
Perhaps the irony of this all was that I'd bet, scoring was
The ONE problem most fans, players and even the coaches were
Sure we wouldn't have. I mean..afterall we are a team that
Had three 30+ goal scorers this season, a couple 20+, and
A couple players in the teens as far as goals.
How could scoring POSSIBLY be one of the major problems with
The team not advancing pass the first round in '07?
Maybe there's no clear cut answer..but it was, it played a Big
Factor in game 6.
Two seasons ago..the flames were One goal shy of a Stanley cup,
This season, they were one goal shy of forcing a game 7 and possibly
Advancing.

Even defensively I think the team pulled up it's socks in a big way,
Blocking shots, killing penalties and clearing the puck, it didn't
Seem to be as big of a problem overall as it had been in the regular
Season.
Eh...of course staying OUT of the box a tad more often might have
Helped somewhat lol.
But..if your teams offense isn't forchecking, and keeping a somewhat
Sustained forcheck when they are, it is inevitable that the puck will
End up back in your end allot, and when it's in your end as much as
It was during the playoffs, sooner or later there's going to be
Turnovers. That's not to say our defense was perfect, but I do believe
It was much better during the playoffs than in the regular season
Despite injuries.
The whole point of forchecking and sustaining a forcheck is to Cause
Turnovers, that is what Detroit succeeded in doing, and Calgary
Failed to do.

When you look at our top two, even three forchecking lines...
You'll see players that have carried us through the season with allot
Of scoring. As a team the Flames ended the regular season ranked
At #7 in scoring, with 255 goals for.
The team we beat into the playoffs by one point had 12 more goals
On the season than the flames, ranking them at #3.
And the team that took us out of the playoffs had 3 goals less, and
Ranked #10.
Maybe there's some Irony in numbers, 255 goals for, 255 shots kipper
Faced in the first round, beating a team with more goals into the
Playoffs, and losing to one with less.

One thing I'm certain of despite it all..
Kiprusoff deserves and was meant to Hoist that cup above his head someday,
And I'm sure he will.
I can only hope it happens while he's dawning the Flaming C Jersey.
Now all we need is the team in front of him to play as hard as he
Did during the playoffs.
To play..like they want it more than their next breath.

Game 5; Flames vs Wings

Oh where do I begin on this juicy game lol.
First off...In my opinion the flames played
An Excellent first period, playing like they
Wanted to win, at points..getting more shots on
Goal than Detroit.
Now considering the previous road games, hell..
Games period, that's a HUGE step in the right
Direction for the team.

Alas...the Pendulum swings in both directions,
And in the second period it would be Detroit
Taking it to the flames, first they were awarded
A penalty shot on a shorthanded breakaway, and of
Course..that shot would get them on the scoreboard
First. Calgary's PP would do them more harm than
Good this game, As they would give up two short
Handed goals this game, and wouldn't score on the PP.
2 Shorthanded goals and one PP goal would give the Wings
A 3-0 lead at the end of the second period.

However..Calgary wasn't about to give up yet..and got
A few good shifts early in the third period. IMO..
For the most part, this was another good period for
The Flames, they would score shorthanded to get on the
Board, but..taking penalties would cost them two more
Goals.

Ahhh...but now for the juicy parts...

Langkow, McClennan and Iggy...
First off.. I will repeat the thoughts of Don Cherry on
The Langkow hit, the wings were up 5-1 in the game, was
The hit really necessary by the wings player?? and my
Own thoughts, that was no hip check, Langkows feet were
Taken out from underneath him causing him to fly over Brett
Lebda, it was a below the belt unnecessary hit from Lebda
In which he seemed to get the brunt of it anyway.
I don't blame Langkow for his retaliation, that was dirty,
Unnecessary and uncalled for.

McClennan..
Now I know this one is highly disputed already.
So first, I'm going to make some points.
The refs did not think the hit was *that bad* as they only
Gave him a game misconduct, NOT an intent to injure penalty.
The player receiving the hit said the hit shocked him more
Than hurt him.
It was NOWHERE NEAR as vicious a hit as the one Simon was penalized
For after the trade deadline, or heck..even the other goalie
Who did a face slash with his stick.(Can't remember who).
Should he be suspended? well I'm not one for cheap shots in
The NHL, but when it comes down to the goalies..this is a
Whole different ballgame.
Kipper..and other goalies have been run into, fallen on,
Interfered with and whatnot ALL SEASON LONG, and the majority
Of the time, nothing is done about it. Once in a while a ref
Will call a goalie interference penalty. But if the goalie
Isn't one to beak off at the refs every time he's run into,
The refs seem content to let it happen.
Maybe he does deserve a game or two suspension..but should
it be a harsh one? before the NHL decides to hand down a harsh
Penalty, they had better look long and hard at what would
Cause an otherwise calm and great backup goalie to lose his
Cool like that.

McClennan on any given day is always happy, a smartalec,
Always more than willing to sign autographs for the fans.
Lighthearted, joking with Kipper and the team. Adds a Big time
Positive presence in the locker room and on the bench.
He's been a damn fine backup for Kipper..despite this years
W/L stats, he played exceptional for the team when he was
In goal.

He saw his friend and teammate get run into one too many
Times this season..and decided to send a message, one that
The league has failed to send, or even failed to TRY to send,
Despite many complaints from players, goalies, coaches and
Even broadcasters.

Sure..it doesn't belong in the game of hockey..but neither
Does intentionally running into goaltenders.
And in this case..and eye for an eye.
So as far as McClennans hit....as far as I'm concerned..
GO NOODLES!!!!!!!!!!

Now onto Iginla;
I didn't see the Iginla hit, apparently with the butt end
of his stick, so I can't and won't comment on that, except
To say that although I love Iginla as a player, he's one
Player besides Kipper that we can't afford to lose to
Suspension, or even being tossed out of a game.
It got physical for both sides, but I do think that Iginla
Should keep his cool as far as going overboard and doing something
That could ruin his run with his team.
If he's going to send a message...make it clean, but make it
Memorable.

In the end...It was a big step forward as far as how the
Flames played, at least they showed the heart, the passion
They've needed too on the road.
Tomorrow..they'll be back in Calgary, here's to hoping
That fire they had today is enough with the Fans backing
Them to pull out a win, take it too game seven, and give
Them the confidence that they can take one on the road too.

Broadcasting Beefs!!

Well, I know I'm supposed to concentrate on my team..
And how they're doing etc..etc..
I have and will continue to do so.
But sometimes there's just something I want to get
Off my chest about the game.
I think being a hockey fan has done both good and bad
Things for me as a person. Making me more critical and
Easily annoyed by some things and yet...it's created a lot more
Passion in me for hockey and life..etc.

Anyway..so on with my little rant..

Is it just me or do other fans get annoyed when listening
To certain announcers broadcast a game..?
Lately I've been noticing some habits more and more about
The broadcasters for the Flames and Oilers games.

I mean these guys broadcast for Sportsnet West..
Basically the vast majority of their listeners are going
To be Albertans right?
So why.. WHY?? when they are broadcasting to Flames and Oilers
Fans would they spend the better part of their time during the game,
Talking about just How good the opponent is? talking about key
Players on the opponents team?? I mean..Ok..It's fine to talk
About both teams, but I don't want to hear over..and over..and
Over...and Over again, sentences starting with; *this Nashville team,
This Avalanche team, this Minnesota team..* through the WHOLE
Game, what about this Calgary team? this Edmonton Team? even
When the team is losing, or just not doing great that season,
Surely there is STILL plenty to talk about the team you're Supposed
To be announcing for. Heck.. they do it even if their home team is
Winning.
Talk about what they're doing in the community, talk about their
Futures, rumors about the team or whatever, talk about players
On the HOME team, weather having a good or bad season or whatever.
It's to the point...I'd rather listen to the radio broadcast from
Fan960 and watch the TV with no sound. The guys at Fan960 aren't
Even half as bad and at least they get excited about Calgary
Chances, etc..etc.

The other thing that just sticks out like a sore thumb is the
Negative feel to the announcing. Every team has turnovers,
Every team makes mistakes, Hell that's pretty much the biggest
Reason for a team winning or losing. It HAS to happen. One team
Capitalizing on another teams mistakes.
But God Help the players if they have to listen to the broadcasting
During the games. If you did, you'd think there's no way your team
Should ever win. Each mistake is so magnified and talked about
To the point you can't even enjoy watching the game.
OK.. the team/player screwed up, All the fans already know this,
They're already *watching* the game.
Get over it and move on.
I don't expect a broadcaster to be a cheerleader for the team,
Yes, give an honest broadcast but you also don't have to Over dwell
On every little thing someone does wrong either. Especially when you
Don't spend half as much time pointing out the other teams mistakes.
Then during the intermissions and interviews with the broadcasters..
To hear about everything they did wrong doesn't give a fan much
Hope for the next periods, or heck..I'm sure some fans who aren't
Necessarily avid fans..change channels thinking their team is
Playing like crap, even if they aren't.
It's worse.. when the team is actually playing a very good game
Overall, and yet..one turnover and they drag every previous turn over
From every previous game into it all over again.

There comes a point when you should give the fans some hope or some
Reason to continue watching the game. Afterall...What is any team,
What is any station, without the Fans, without the listeners?
I'm an avid fan, I haven't missed watching or listening to a game in
3 seasons. But I can't for the life of me enjoy listening to my own
Teams broadcasters.
What's wrong with trying to put a positive spin on a game that's not
Going so well, or heck..just enjoying it when a team IS doing great?
IMO constantly dwelling on the negative is not good for either the
Players Or the fans. Enough of it WILL have an effect on their
Mentality. I guess it's not just the broadcasters there, but the media
In General.

Beaking Off The Refs....

NHL Referees are a touchy issue for most fans.
I think more-so the last couple seasons than ever before.
I'm certain there's not a fan out there who likes
Watching a game that is being referee decided, might I
Be so bold as to say, even if their team is winning.
Because sure the calls might be going for your team that
Game, but soon enough they will play a game in which the
Calls go the other way.
And I'd bet that most fans would rather see a Fair win or lose
For their team.

Now yes, the new NHL is a fast paced game, and yes..it's
Hard to clearly see everything that happens on the ice.
What might be perceived a penalty from one angle, might not
Be an *actual* penalty from another angle.
And it's not limited to just penalties, not review-able calls
Of *no goals* is another thing.
Now I'm not sure what makes one goal review-able, and what makes
Another goal NOT review-able. But ALL goals should be review-able.
One instance that sticks out in my mind..Edmonton was Robbed
Of a late game goal, seconds left in the game, because the Ref
Waved it off as a *hand pass* from the face off circle back
To the point. The goal was never reviewed, it was waved off,
Edmonton lost the chance to tie up the game, and go to OT.
However, the video footage WAS reviewed by the folks doing
The camera work at Rexall Place, and it was Clear, It was
Beyond a shadow of a doubt totally 100% conclusive it was
NOT a hand pass back to the point.
However, the Ref...from an angle he could not clearly see
The puck, waved it off anyway.
Calls like that infuriate me, and pretty much all fans.
That ref had the fans letting him know he'd screwed up
After the game. and I don't blame the fans.

But the question is, What's fair? what can be done about this?
I understand the Refs have a tough job, I understand they
Are getting used to new rules, etc..etc.
But that should NOT make them unaccountable for bad calls,
Especially when it's not a problem with just one or two refs.
This is a league wide problem.
In the last two seasons, since the lockout, I don't even want
To think how many games league wide have been Ref decided.
The players can't do anything about it, and it has GOT to be
Frustrating as all heck to be a player in a game like that,
And the coaches can't do anything about it either.
God help them if they do, they'll get tagged for an unsportsmanlike,
Or fined after wards.
This leaves the team, coach and fans feeling powerless.

I don't know if there is ever going to be a fair solution that
Satisfies everyone. I seriously doubt it because human error will
Always come into play.
And maybe this is a far fetched solution, I don't know..
But if questionable goals can be reviewed, why not questionable
Penalties, non calls, or inconsistencies? at least then..the game
Wouldn't be left to just the refs on the ice.
Or Hell...Even just having another ref or two viewing the game
From a broadcasters booth or something, someone who can
Give a different view/perspective of what took place.

This is a big problem, and in my mind, it's a crime to let it
Continue as it is. It hasn't gotten better since last season either.
The only real difference I've seen between then and now..is that some
Refs are more relaxed and content to let two teams just play.
I'd rather have very few calls for either team, and win or lose fair
And square, than a game full of questionable calls that run in one teams favor, even if it's my team.

Last Team Standing...

Well..we're at that point where it's now or never,
You can run..but you can't hide from a ticking clock.
Ready or not, time runs out for all things, hockey seasons
Included.

And 'bout now...every General manager, coach, player and fan
Are asking themselves..

Did I do enough?
Was there enough changes?
Was there too many changes?
Do we want it enough?
Is this team good enough?
Is this the year we go all the way?
Is this the year we go all they way then come up a goal or
two short...

For some fans, the next ten games or so will be *on the edge
Of your seat* games, because their team is just hanging onto
A playoff spot, or their team is just a few points short of one.

Only time will answer those questions, and in the end only one team
Can take it all, The Conference..and the Cup.
For every team that makes the playoffs, and comes up short,
A whole new set of questions will come.

Where did we come up short?
How could we not have wanted it enough?
What more could I or we have done?
Etc...etc..

One thing I do know, is that there are allot of hearts and hopes
Hanging in the balance of the next ten games or so, that all just
Want the shot.... the chance..

I wish I could say that *wanting it* was enough, but it's not.
Every team and player *wants* it.
One person can't take the cup home, it's a team effort.
It's gonna take great goal tending, great defense, and great
Offense. It's gonna take allot of skill, hard work, grit,
An unbeatable attitude, it's gonna take a little luck
That the calls go your way for the most part, and that ref decided
Games are kept to a minimum, it's gonna take
An entire teams heart mixed into all of that.
Then Finally..it's gonna take doing this all more than your opponent.

For some...it's a road they've already been down, a Cup they've already
Held in a previous season. And for others...it's the shot at a dream they've
Had since childhood. A dream they've worked so hard to get so close too..

In the end it comes down to the Heart and Skill of an entire team.
All the heart in the world can't give you the skills, and all the skills in
The world can't give you the heart, the desire..the drive..
The one team that has the most of both will be the last team standing.

Lost...In The Playoffs

So..tonight the Calgary flames played the St.Louis Blues
On home ice. A team that although getting better this
Season as of late, compared to last season thanks to a coaching
Change, Calgary has dominated since 2004.

And though I realize all luck has to change sooner or later,
'Cause life is a series of ever changing moments where nothing
Stays the same. Tonights wasn't one of luck changing,
Perhaps playing good and calls just not going your way, or
Not being able to beat the goaltender.

It was a game that was frustrating for fans to watch, because
Not too long ago this same team was known for it's exceptionally
Stingy Defense.
Sure.. they didn't score allot at the time, but they could hold
Onto a one goal lead for an entire 60 min if they had too.
Clearing the puck wasn't a problem, and turnover's in their
Own end were few and far between.

In the end, it boils down to this..
That was the team that Darryl Sutter coached.
That was the team he built and coached to be defensively
Strong. One that went to the Stanley cup finals hardly able to score a goal at times,
But I'd be damned if they let one in either.
They won the Western Conference and the Division Title that way.

So what happened you ask?
Sure, there have been roster changes, there was each year
Up till now, so that's nothing out of the ordinary. Sutter
Was still able to get the team to click somehow.
Besides, the changes have made for a better team, or at least..
Players that should provide a better team.
You can't even say they don't click, because they do.
When it comes to Defense..Regehr and Stuart have clicked
Very well, and so have Phaneuf and Hamrlik. Zyuzin has
Been playing a much stronger game as of late, etc..etc..
Our forcheck has improved IMMENSELY compared to the previous
Two seasons. Jarome on his way to 40 goals, Juice with 30,
Langkow on his way to 30,Tanguay and Lombardi sitting on the
Verge of 20 goals, and Dion Phaneuf just 3 away from
His second 20 goal season.

Calgary won the game in a shootout, Kippers second consecutive
Shootout win, and Iginla scored the game winning goal.
But they gave up a two goal lead in the third period...
Allowing a total of 4 goals in.
Their inability at times to clear the puck out of their own end
Comes back to haunt them, far too many times.
They have the defensive players, of that I have no doubt..
But they lack defensive coaching, and defensive identity.

I honestly have no doubt, that Calgary has a team now
That could win the Stanley Cup, I believe in our forcheck,
I believe in our Defense...
I believe in our team.
The one thing though that wreaks of uncertainty is Darryl's
Decision to step down as head coach this year, and let Jim
Playfair take over that job.
It's not that I don't think Jim has done a good job, and it's not
That I don't think he'll be a great coach.
I'm just not sure it was a wise decision to do it THIS year, or
Even next, when Darryl's goal and hope, is for a cup win
In this season or next.
I can't help but think inexperience has at times played a part
In the outcome of games, and ultimately...when it comes down
To the overall identity of a team, that's something a coach
Instills in a team, kind of like his fingerprint on them if
You will and that's something Calgary still seems to lack
This season.

Post Game Thoughts VS Tampa Bay

Another bitter pill to swallow for a city that waited 3 years for a shot
At redemption.
A game the fans have anticipated for almost 3 full seasons would come
Down to a loss in a 5 on 3 power play to Tampa bay in OT.

Their only match up, since that one goal game in Tampa Bay that cost them
The Stanley cup.
It hurts now..almost as much as it did then.
Maybe because it could be another 3 long seasons before these two teams
Meet up again thanks to the highly debated schedule changes made during
The lockout.

The game lost..but not for lack of effort, not for lack of defense,
Not for lack of goal tending, lack of chances or even lack of heart.
Kiprusoff allowed only two goals in the net during regulation time, giving
The team every chance to win the game. One goal a deflection off
Dion Phaneufs skate, and the other a pass from the boards to
An open Lacavaleir waiting on the open side of the net.

Tampa bay endured a long onslaught from Calgary's for check from the moment
The puck dropped in the first period. The flames registering 12 shots on
Their goal to Tampa bay's 7 shots on kipper. Had it not been for a late
PP in the first period, they might not have gotten 7 shots on goal at all
In the first. Tampa gave up the puck in their end allot during the first
Period, and Marc Denis came up big and kept them in the game.
The only goal in period one was the Deflection off of Dion's Skate that
Gave Tampa a one goal lead.
The game settled down in the second period a little bit, Shots on goal
Were kept to a minimum for both teams, though Jeff Freisen managed to
Tie the game a little over midway through the period.
That however did not change the physical aspect of it at all, both teams
Were checking hard, both teams for check going strong, just tighter defense
Tended to break up any would be real chances before they got too dangerous.
The third period would start with Calgary on a Power play and Calgary unable
To capitalize on a couple great scoring chances. Both teams would register
11 shots on goal. Conroy would score for Calgary in a goal that was Initially
Waved off, reviewed, then credited as a go ahead goal.
Roughly two min later..Lacavalier would tie up the game.
In the end...Both teams goal tending and defense played well enough to keep
Goals at a minimum despite both teams having a dangerous for check.
Both teams played with heart and grit. It was more than evident that
Despite the roster changes the rivalry is still alive.

I think perhaps the new members for each roster understood the importance
Of this game even after so much time had passed.
To me at least..it's a disheartening shame such a hard fought game would
Come down to a 5 on 3 in OT, though I can't say a shootout would have been
Much better. It's one of those games you want to see fought to the finish
On even terms.

Maybe having to wait so long for this game added to the anticipation and hope
That Calgary would pull out a win, instead of lessening it.
All I know, is that from this fans perspective..it's as personal now as it
Was then.
The only good I can hope might come from this, is that maybe this loss will
Give the team that last bit of determination to go all the way... This time.