Ducks Squeak Past Flames

(ed. note: due to SBN issues last night, the usual post-game links are being attached to Mitch’s recap. Enjoy!)

Scoring Chances

Corsi

H2H Ice

Faceoffs

The Other Side

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, this was a heartbreaker of a game for the Flames. The regulation win and a clean 2 points was a couple minutes away when Curtis Glencross took a hooking penalty at 17:42.

Randy Carlyle, the Ducks coach, showed some serious balls in not only putting all forwards on the ice but also in pulling his goaltender to create a 6-o- 4 PP before the puck was even dropped. The six Ducks’ forwards proved him a genius and not a fool, as Ryan Getzlaf fed Teemu Selanne a perfect pass for a goal that tied the game and sent it to overtime.

Young Duckling Cam Fowler finished it off with the game winner in OT, flying in from the point with huge speed and beating Miikka Kiprusoff. Saku Koivu and guess who else set him up–the men who still plays like a Ducking himself, Selanne.

Selanne truly amazes me, he is 40 years old and not just hanging onto a roster spot like many 35+ players, but 14^th overall in the NHL in points scored. Given the fact he has only played 47 games on the year, I just shake me head in awe. He led the Ducks on the score sheet tonight with 1G and 3A against the Flames, and was a clear difference maker.

A goaltending battle this game was not. Curtis McElhinney and Miikka Kiprusoff turned in 0.840 and 0.833 SV% respectively, an SV% far below what both of them have established in recent games.

A tough OT loss for the Flames in a game they were just a few minutes from taking the regulation win in.

Game Review

The first period had both teams taking a pretty measured approach. Brent Sutter revealed that for this game he was lining the Jokinen’s line up against the Getzlaf line. We’ve seen this several times this season, with Jokinen taking on this role with various wingers. His latest wingers have been Glencross and Moss.

The match-up proved to be a success for the whole game. Not only did the Jokinen line shut Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry off the score sheet at even strength, but Jokinen and Glencoss both scored and assisted on each other’s goals. David Moss was also along for the ride with 2 assists on his line mates’ goals.

The issue for the Flames started to reveal itself in the first period on the first goal from a sharp angle shot by Koviu. The Ducks second line proved to be the problem line at even strength.

The second period was more of the same fast-skating play and the Flames hit the score sheet with a rocket from Rene Bourque. The second line on the very next shift had Olli Jokinen receive a perfect backhand pass from Curtis Glencross and deliver a roofer goal. Carlyle immediately took a time out to calm his Ducks.

The second Koviu goal saw Jason Blake noticeably bump Kipper, something Flames fans will remember the Ducks have a history of; it happened to Kipper in a game against Anaheim last season and a goal resulted. The refs didn’t let the next bump slide, however, and called Parros on it. The Flames failed to score on the resulting PP though and worst of all, McMillian scored a shorthanded goal to regain the lead for the Ducks.

As the second period came to a close, it was clear this was going to be a wide-open game that could go to either team.

The third period had Jarome Iginla tie it up with a follow-up from Curtis Glencross for the go-ahead goal.

It was a heartbreaker to see the game tied in the final minutes on a powerplay, but give Randy Carlyle his due.

It takes some guts to put the game on the line with two minutes left, pull your goaltender, and put six forwards on the ice for a 6 on 4 PP. Just one clearing shot and the Flames could have hit the net on the PK and ended the game.

The Flames have a huge game tonight against the Vancouver Canucks and we will see how they respond.

Note: Robyn Regehr continues his stunning streak of points in this game with another 2A. Always considered a shut-down d-man and never an offensive threat, he has seven points in his last five games. Regehr has finished three entire seasons in his career with eight points or less. This is an amazing run for him.

Scoring Breakdown

[Boxscore] [Ducks vs Flames coverage] [Anaheim Calling]

by M Smith