Postgame: 15

 

 

A weak effort on the second game of a back to back sunk the Flames tonight. Despite Leland Irving’s best efforts to keep the game within reach, the Flames couldn’t get enough pucks in the net to make up for the rather large deficit in both Corsi and scoring chances. A physical battle tonight-two fights, one of which was a Jarome Iginla beat down-but the Flames couldn’t pull it out, leaving them with a 3-2 loss.

The first period started out with a bang, with the Flames breaking down early and allowing Saku Koivu a ten-bell chance 30 seconds in. Leland Irving was up to the task, however, and made the save. Curtis Glencross scored his 21st just a little later on the power play, making it two games in a row with a power play marker for the good guys. The Ducks scored to tie it at 5:58, on a play that looked like it was doomed from the start-a 2 on 1 with Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne doing the dirty work. There were two fights in the period to go along with the other 5 penalties in the period. The Flames were outchanced 2-9 and outshot 8-15 in the period.

The Ducks really started to target the cross-ice pass in front of Leland Irving in the second, and they had success with it 8 minutes in, when Corey Perry tipped in a telegraphed pass from Ryan Getzlaf for his 31st of the season. The Flames continued to let the Ducks get close to the goaltender, with Leland getting bumped quite a few times but coming up with saves every time. A ill-advised attempt at a hand pass from Cory Sarich resulted in a couple of scoring chances on Irving late, but the door stayed shut. The Flames were outchanced 4-8 and outshot 12-13. 

A very uneventful third period continued until the Flames tied it up, with Alex Tanguay getting his 10th of the year from about 4 feet away from Hiller. Curtis Glencross also had a couple good chances but couldn’t pull the trigger and Jarome Iginla had a great chance in front of the net, muscling past Francois Beauchemin in order to take the shot. The game stayed even until a bad change and poor coverage allowed Ryan Getzlaf to score the heartbreaking winning goal with just 50 seconds left in the match. Insult was added to injury-or rather, vice versa-with both Mike Cammalleri (puck in the head) and Blake Comeau (two hander on the arm) needing help to get off the ice late. The Flames outchanced the Ducks 7-4 in the frame and were outshot 9-10.

1. Leland Irving

2. Ryan Getzlaf

3. Corey Perry

It is really too bad the Flames continually decide not to show up in games where their back-up plays. An extremely good effort from Irving was wasted once again by a lack of possession and failing to capitalize on chances. I do forgive them a little due to the fact that it was the second game on a back-to-back, but still. I hate to pick on Curtis Glencross because he had a pretty strong game, but he watched Ryan Getzlaf move right past him, wind up and shoot from about 3 feet away and it didn’t look like Glencross moved at all-quite indicative of the effort of the team tonight. Final chances finished 13-21 in favour of the Ducks, while the Ducks also came out ahead in the shot battle 38-29.

Dallas comes to the ‘Dome on Sunday. Game time is at 4 PM Mountain (coverage on Fan 960 and Sportsnet West).