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.