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Ye of little faith

Ryan Lambert
15 years ago
angry-god-1
No sweat.
That thing I said about pissing off Jarome Iginla being a bad idea? Yeah.
Iginla, with a getalong gang of Olli Jokinen and Eric Nystrom, helped Calgary win its second in a row and even up a series that, just four days ago, looked like it was gonna shape up as a sweep. But my how that Saddledome ice and the C of Red change everything.
The Flames are now playing with purpose and a killer instinct, a trait we’ve not seen since, say, the Philadelphia game right after the deadline. And sure, they blew a 4-1 second-period lead, but the point is that apart from those eight minutes, it never really felt like Chicago was a threat to score or win or even threaten Calgary.
Now the series is best-of-three. The previously unbeatable Blackhawks look rather easy to beat and the previously unsolvable Nikolai Khabibulin looks awful easy to solve. It’s not too much of a stretch to actually think the Flames can win this series now.
I know *I* always believed in ’em.

The Good

Jarome Iginla — You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. And I’m pretty sure he got a piece of Adrian Aucoin’s goal.
Olli Jokinen — Hell of a time to score your first two goals at the Saddledome. Apart from the penalty that led to Chicago’s fourth goal, I thought he played excellent, mistake-free hockey. By the way, on his first goal, I don’t think I’ve heard the ‘Dome go that ballistic in a while. And I hope someone advised Brent Seabrook that his jock could be picked up at Lost and Found after the game.
Eric Nystrom — What a performance. Seriously. Even discounting the game-winner, he was oustanding.
Cory Sarich — He was once again the Flames’ best defenseman. What a monster he was last night.
Jordan Leopold — Even Leopold was solid? Wow.

The Bad

Miikka Kiprusoff — He was… unspectacular. However, when the goalie across the ice from you gives up five goals on 26 shots, who cares?
Dion Phaneuf — Not outwardly good, but that pass to spring Jokinen for his second goal was a thing of beauty.

The Ugly

Injuries — Again? Craig Conroy leaves after only 4:38 and then Daymond Langkow takes a puck in the hand. Jesus.
Blowing a three-goal lead — Yeah, that’s not good. Especially because the third one came on a poor penalty AFTER Mike Keenan called a timeout.

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