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.
