Doused Flames

When picking games, I usually get the team right but never the score. Never would have thought I’d get the score but not the winner. Now Calgary played the night before and then against the Stars used their backup goaltender Curtis McEhinney instead of Miikka Kiprusoff. With that being said, Dallas outplayed Calgary and earned this victory no doubt, handing the Flames their first loss of the season. I have a feeling Crawford read my last post, since Alex Auld was in net. Turco so far has been good enough to get us half a win each night, but Auld brought it all home. He was brilliant in this match, stoning Calgary in tight and stopping 21 of 23 shots. They showed an interesting stat about Dallas’ backup goaltenders, since 2000, playing so little. Only twice have they eclipsed over 30 games. The NFL is making the move to most teams using a running back tandem, and I say Dallas does the same. Crawford will play the hot hand in net, so I expect Auld again on Sunday.

First Period (1-0)

Mike Ribeiro got a nice rebound for his first of the year.

Second Period (3-1)

Sutherby got a short pass from Peterson while Calgary was reeling in their zone for his first of the year. Right off a face off Dion Phaneuf ripped one off the post to pull within one, thus ending the Stars’ extreme dominance of Calgary’s power play in the Saddledome. Tom Wandell re-established the two goal lead on an innocent shot that popped up over the goaltender and in. Hockey karma is paying us back for the Edmonton game.

Third Period (5-2)

Brunnstrom scored but it was called off because Ott was driving to the net and supposedly interfered. One of Auld’s few mistakes resulted in Calgary’s second goal by Rene Bourque off a bad rebound. Brad Richards made a beautiful pass in front of the net which seemed to bounce off both Jay Bouwmeester and Loui Eriksson to give Loui his first of the year. Richards finished the game off with an empty netter.

-Both Calgary goals were on the power play (We continue to poorly kill them this season)

-Steve Ott was in the sin bin both times Calgary scored on the man advantage.

-Dallas had two noticeable post hits.

-James Neal is playing very Ovechkin like, going after every puck with hunger for a goal.

-Robidas was called for diving after being checked from behind. Just have to remember, referees are human.

-Razor Quote: “Double pits to chesty is what McElhinney did on that one.” (Referring to the no goal on Fabian)

-The Stars played paintball on one of their days off. Canadians vs everyone else.

Up Next: We finish the tour in Vancouver Sunday night at 9 p.m. central. Luongo hasn’t looked good this season and I think we’ll build off this win. I’ll take the Stars over the Canucks 4-2