An absolutely perfect period. The Flames came in and took their game to San Jose and never really relented once. Solid neutral zone presence, and very smart defensive play. They had an amazing fore check and continued pressure from every single shift. No one looked bad on the ice for the Flames. Not a single player. Even once the Flames began to score they kept the pedal to the metal. Heck, they even stepped up the pressure a notch. This is exactly what the Flames needed to do and they executed their plan with panache. This period was pure Flames domination from the very first second.
The power play was bad for the first shift. Miikka was the best player on the ice for that bit as the Sharks got their first second and third shots of the game on that play and that play alone. Then Giordano got the pyuck and fired it in on net. Now even if it didn't hit Moss that goal should be all his as he made sure Nabokov saw nothing but the back of his jersey. There was no action for the penalty kill unit as the Flames were patient and perfectly disciplined.
Like I said everyone was really good, but Iggy is really going hard. He made at least five separate amazing plays to create some very dangerous looking chances. Bertuzzi also had a very good period, making some smart decisions and generally skating hard and getting to the puck. The fourth line has again been fantastic. Nystrom in particular has elevated his game this season to unexpected heights. Miika had very little work, but he stood tall for all three shots he did face.
I wanna give some love to our bottom defenders (depth-chart wise) Pardy and Giordano, who had both pretty good periods. While Pardy elevated his offensive game in this period, Giordano looked very strong in his own end.
Question for Flames fans. What is wrong with Dion Phaneuf? He is just brutal this season. He spends most of the night gliding around on one skate and ignoring his responsibilities. Watching the game tonight he let Grier skate right by him and score an easy shortie. The press clippings going to his head?
One last question. Where's the killer instinct? The Flames chase Nabakov and then don't get a shot on Boucher for the next 9 minutes of play??? They completely layed down. Not the sign of a team that wants to make a statement against the best team in the conference. All they did was let the Sharks back in the game.
Question for Flames fans. What is wrong with Dion Phaneuf? He is just brutal this season. He spends most of the night gliding around on one skate and ignoring his responsibilities. Watching the game tonight he let Grier skate right by him and score an easy shortie. The press clippings going to his head?
Flames fans I have to ask what did your announcers say about the refs calling roughing penalties between semenov and roy? Its been hilarious listening to randy hahn and drew remenda make fun of the refs ever since the refs called the penalties like that.
A much less disciplined period. Much much less. The Flames took six penalties and it certainly burned them. Especially the five on three. Stupid penalties by both Bertuzzi and Pardy on that. The Flames were just a step slower and mad some bone headed decisions which of course led to penalty kill after penalty kill. To be fair the Sharks looked a lot more into the game in the second, but the Flames certainly helped the Sharks out with the constant parade to the sinbin. Again NHL officiating is a joke. Both fights between Roy and Seminov were called roughing? What drugs are the zebras on?
The power play was back to their old tricks of giveaways, poor plays, bad defensive coverage, and oh yes, a short handed goal. They simply couldn't gain the zone, or get any strength on the puck. Of course again taking stupid penalties while on the power play won't help matters at all either. The penalty kill was mostly solid. I can't fault anyone for the five on three goal. Not even Miikka. That was just a perfectly executed play by the Sharks. The rest of the pk was perfect though. Blocking shots very well and smart dump plays, with Nystrom making his usual attempt for the shortie. He almost had it too.
Bourque has continued to look amazing. He simply never gives up or lets up once he's on the puck. This guy has simply been amazing. Miikka has been great too. I can't fault him for either San Jose goal. Props to Roy for fighting, both times even if he only won the second fight. The first one was more of a huggy-bear affair. Giordano has quietly been having a fantastic game as well. I would like to see more from Iggy's line. Sure they've been making all sorts of plays, I just want to see more of it.
Flames fans I have to ask what did your announcers say about the refs calling roughing penalties between semenov and roy? Its been hilarious listening to randy hahn and drew remenda make fun of the refs ever since the refs called the penalties like that.
