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Well, a game removed from the biggest collapse in NHL history and the Flames should come out angry as all hell, right? Wrong

The Flames were out shot 33-23 and if it were not for Kiprusoff, this game would have been 6-1. Kipper made several tremendous saves to keep the Flames up 1-0, but finally succumbed to the pressure of a 5 on 3 powerplay and let in two goals in just over two minutes of play. The Flames lacked any significant scoring chance over the final two periods until about 2 minutes left in the game when Iginla crashed the net and nearly shoved home a rebound; only to be thwarted by reigning Calder trophy winner Steve Mason.

The Flames only had one powerplay in the game and it lasted all of 45 seconds, failing to score in that time. The lack of powerplays suggest a lack of fore-check, lack of creating chances, and lack of beating the opposition to the puck forcing them to make a mistake. A lack of effort might be a better way to put it. The Flames looked tired and struggled to piece together more than 2 passes all night.

Kipper was easily the teams best player on a night where two former (I use that term loosely) Flames scored the Jackets only goals. The reason I say that is Stralman never actually played a regular season game for the Flames, as he was traded at the end of the pre season. Kristian “Juice” Huselius potted the eventual winner for CBJ.

Once again the Flames were able to play one third of a 60 minute game, having a decent first road period coming out leading 1-0. Once again though, the Flames faltered in the 2nd frame and end up losing the game. Also noted is that the Blue Jackets had two goals called back against them, two goals that probably should have counted. One was called no-goal due to a fight breaking out, and the other due to a pre-mature whistle blowing ref.

In the end, the Flames did not deserve to win this game and finish this short two game road trip with 1 meagre point.

Canucks are due up on Friday. The Flames have a lot; check that, a MAMMOTH amount of work to do if they plan on going 2 and 0 against their biggest divisional rival and in the process try not to lose their 4th straight game.

This has been,

Newman on the Flames