Postgame: Slim Is Better Than None

 

 

A high-scoring affair in which the Flames were the better of the two teams meant a 5-4 win for the boys in red tonight, keeping alive whatever slim playoff aspirations they currently hold.

Just an absolutely brutal goal started the game off tonight, as Jamie Benn continued his hot streak against the Flames less then 30 seconds into the game. Benn telegraphed the shot from the blue line and caught Miikka Kiprusoff swatting at it. No matter, however, as five minutes later Olli Jokinen would respond on the power play, putting a wrist shot past Kari Lehtonen to tie the game at one. Although there wouldn’t be any more action in terms of goals, it was still a high-event period-shots were 13-17 in favour of Dallas and the two teams tied in chances at 6 apiece.

Benn would score-again-in the first minute of the second, restoring the Stars’ two-goal lead. The goal was scored on a 3-1, directly resulting from an ill-advised Mark Giordano pinch. The Flames would pull even once again though as a beautiful pass from Mike Ribeiro (haha) was blasted past Lehtonen by Ol’ Stonehands himself, Blake Comeau for his fifth of the year. Less then a minute later, the Flames gained possesion in the offensive zone and Anton Babchuk ripped one towards the net. Lehtonen would stop the shot, but not the rebound as Mike Cammalleri was at the right place at the right time to put it into the mesh for his 17th of the season. Ribeiro would redeem himself and score the tying goal with 5:31 left in the period, but from there it was all Flames. Giordano scored his 9th of the year, which was also the Flames’ 2nd PP goal on the night and then Alex Tanguay would add another on the PP to end the period. Shots were 17-10 in favour of the Flames and the Flames outchanced the Stars by a healthy margin of 10-7.

The Stars would tighten Flames fans chests as Philip Larson would get his second of the season past Kiprusoff at 5:24. Kiprusoff would come up big for the Flames with 8 minutes left though, stopping Loui Eriksson on a break to keep the team up by one. The Flames would trade possession back and forth with the Stars and would hold onto the one goal lead with the 3rd line stifiling the late attempt by Dallas. Chances were 4-5 for the Stars, and shots were 5-12.

1. Mike Cammalleri

2. Jamie Benn

3. Jarome Iginla

Not much else to say about this one except that the Flames came out and played like they still have a shot. I think it’s done, but if they intend to make make the dance, it was a good start tonight.

The Flames play next on Wednesday, as they welcome the Kings to the Dome. Game time is 730 Mountain, with coverage on TSN and FAN960.