Game 69 Recap: Another Rollercoaster, Flames Beat Wild

It really has become all too familiar.

The whole get a multi-goal lead and then give it right back thing has gotten old to Calgary Flames faithful and I keep looking for the team to do something to address it, and maybe they’re trying, but I don’t see it.

Chalk up a third straight game with a softie against Miikka Kiprusoff and the final score ended up far closer than it should have been.

It wasn’t all bad for the team, though. Sven Baertschi followed up his own deflection rebound and potted his 1st career NHL goal and was all smiles. The top 6 continue to get on the scoresheet, Mark Giordano’s play in the last 10+ games has been much better and Matt Stajan continues to perform of late.

With the win, the Flames move into 8th place in the Western Conference for the time being. They're tied with Colorado, with a game in hand, and one point up on San Jose who have two games in hand on Calgary.

–David Moss had a +16 corsi on the night! SIXTEEN! He doesn’t produce a ton of points, never has, but he always moves the puck in the right direction. He looks fresh and without his return I doubt the team would’ve had as much success as they did this week.

-I know, I know, I can’t believe I’m even thinking about this after everything this man has done for the Flames this season… but, Kipper needs to get his focus back. Yes, it’s Minny. Yes, they bore you into a slumber by generating next to no chances. However, he cannot let in a goal like the Erik Christensen opener tonight. Like the Blake Wheeler goal against Winnipeg. These soft goals of late have completely changed the momentum of their respective games and had no business going in the back of the net. This team needs a focused Kiprusoff in order to make the post-season.

-I think this great run from Curtis Glencross has been pushing Jarome Iginla a bit. You know Iggy wants to be the teams leader in points and goals. Glencross has goals in 7 straight (7 total) and 10 points. Iginla has goals in 5 of his last 6 (6 total) and 11 points. I also think, much like Moss, that Glencross has brought fresh legs back after having sat out due to injury.

–Krys Kolanos squanders another beauty of a chance. Is he “gripping his stick too tight?” Is that the proper cliche to use in this situation? Are his frosted tips getting in his line of sight? Ah, screw it, the team still needs him.

THREE STARS

1. David Moss – He was making things happen tonight in only 15 minutes of ice-time. He solidifies the 2nd line.

2. Curtis Glencross – Don't ever stop goaling. Ever.

3. Olli Jokinen – See a trend?

-Can’t stress the importance of the next two home games for the club. San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes. You can’t ask for anything more than these games being at home. Make something of it and their chances of post-season play will increase greatly.

by Scott