The Calgary Flames just couldn’t get it done last night against the Vancouver Canucks, losing 4-1 and failing to claim the Northwest Division title.  Granted, they were trying but Canucks goaltender, Roberto Luongo, was really on his game, turning away all but one of the 46 shots launched at him.

It’s sick because Calgary outshot Vancouver 21-9 in the first period and it basically continued that way for the ful 60 minutes but it just wasn’t enough.  I also think that penalty trouble may have contributed to the loss.  Vancouver was justifiably awarded a lot of power-plays last night and they capitalized on it.

I’m reading on the internet this morning that so many fans (and even coaches and commentators) are making excuses for the Flames, saying that they tried hard and Luongo was the difference.  That is all true but these are the sort of games that are going to be played in the playoffs and if they can’t deal with it now, they won’t be able to deal with it then.  I was very disappointed and I’m saddened to see how crappy this team has become since acquiring Olli Jokinen.

The Division title is still up for grabs but if Vancouver and Calgary end up tying for points, the rules say that the team with the most wins (Calgary) will take the title.  Who wants to win on a technicality, though?

image: TSN

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that it looked like the Vancouver Canucks were going to fall apart and possibly miss the playoffs this year.  In fact, it appeared that nothing, not even the addition of Mats Sundin to their lineup, could improve their game.  At the same time, it seemed like the opposite was true of the Calgary Flames, who are currently leading the Northwest Division by a mere three points.  They were winning games, killing penalties and challenging critics.  Indeed, it seemed like they would hold on to their incredible lead until the end of the regular season.

image: TSN.ca

It’s amazing what a difference a few weeks (and the reactivation of star goaltender, Roberto Luongo) can make.  Since I now live in Calgary, I can’t say that I’m a big fan of the Canucks but, as a friend reminded me on the phone the other night, I can’t deny they have been one of the hottest teams since the All-Star Break.  Meanwhile, the Flames began to fall apart after acquiring Olli Jokinen and Jordan Leopold at the trade deadline.  They’ve basically opened the door and invited the Canucks to walk right in and steal the division.

The Canucks face the Colorado Avalanche (last in the division) tonight and, if they win, they will move within one point of the Flames.  Things have definitely gotten a lot more interesting…

Tobias Stephan made 19 saves and earned his first NHL win after leading the Dallas Stars to a 4-2 victory last night, giving the Minnesota Wild their first loss of the season.

Stephan redeemed himself last night, trying to forget the loss of his last NHL game. In 2007, he was put in net against Chicago and appeared to be leading the team to a shutout win. The Wild were ahead by one point but with 1.5 seconds left, the Blackhawks scored leading the game to overtime. Unfortunately, the Stars lost the game.

It’s great that he was given a second chance and was able to win the game. Congrats to Tobias for getting his first win in the NHL!

Here’s the scoring summary:

• MIN: Bergeron, M. (PPG, 06:13 in 1st), Brunette, A. (PPG, 03:55 in 3rd)
• DAL: Morrow, B. (00:13 in 1st), Ott, S. (12:45 in 1st), Richards, B. (15:39 in 1st), Niskanen, M. (PPG, 12:06 in 2nd)

image credit: TSN

*Written by Lauren Croteau, for Jeanne, who is away.

Colorado Avalanche @ Calgary Flames - October 28, 2008

Curtis Glencross got his first goal as a member of the Calgary Flames last night but it was goaltender, Miikka Kiprusoff who stole the show - not only did he get his 27th career shutout (1st this season!) but he also celebrated his 150th win with the team. 

The teams battled hard last night, remaining tied going into the third but once Glencross got the ball rolling, two more goals followed, ruining the Colorado Avalanche’s stellar performance (particularly goaltender Peter Budaj).  Here is the scoring summary:

CGY: Glencross, C. (08:22 in 3rd), Bourque, R. (12:58 in 3rd), Cammalleri, M. (15:03 in 3rd)

image credit: TSN

Joel Quenneville, former coach of the Colorado Avalanche, was stopped by Denver police at 8pm on Friday after he was found to be driving without his car headlights turned on. He was then asked to take a chemical test, but refused, causing police to confiscate his license.

On October 3rd, Quenneville is set to appear in Douglas County court  for driving under the influence and driving without his headlights on.

Image credit to Newscom

Written by Lauren Croteau

The Colorado Avalanche were crushed by the Detroit Red Wings when they lost their game with an embarrassing score of 8-2 at home. Here is the scoring summary:

DET:Samuelsson, M. (04:33 in 1st), Holmstrom, T. (18:34 in 1st), Franzen, J. (19:21 in 1st), Zetterberg, H. (PPG, 02:15 in 2nd), Zetterberg, H. (05:45 in 2nd), Franzen, J. (SHG, 11:37 in 2nd), Franzen, J. (PPG, 17:15 in 2nd), Samuelsson, M. (08:02 in 3rd)

COL:Arnason, T. (PPG, 06:51 in 1st), Liles, J. (PPG, 10:26 in 3rd)

Here is the highlights video from the game:

In Game 3 the battle between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche resulted in a 4-3 win for the Wings. Here is the score summary for the game:

DET:Datsyuk, P. (PPG, 12:14 in 1st), Franzen, J. (13:12 in 1st), Datsyuk, P. (06:36 in 2nd), Zetterberg, H. (PPG, 12:24 in 2nd)

COL:McLeod, C. (05:17 in 1st), Brunette, A. (PPG, 08:08 in 2nd), Brunette, A. (PPG, 05:19 in 3rd)

Here is the highlights video:

In the second game in the battle between the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings, the Avs ended up being defeated by the Wings in a 5-1 loss. Here is a score summary:

COL:Laperriere, I. (02:38 in 3rd)

DET:Franzen, J. (PPG, 04:22 in 1st), Franzen, J. (PPG, 04:04 in 2nd), Filppula, V. (05:42 in 2nd), Zetterberg, H. (10:11 in 2nd), Franzen, J. (SHG, 08:47 in 3rd)

Here are the highlights from the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs game:

The Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks played an exciting series that went to Game 7 and resulted in a win for the Sharks. The San Jose goaltender, Evgeni Nabokov was solid and Flames goaltender, Miikka Kiprusoff worked hard to keep his team from being eliminated.  Here are the highlights from the Calgary vs San Jose 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs series:

Oh, it hurts.  It hurts so bad.  The Calgary Flames were thisclose to taking the Northwest Division title and then Marian Gaborik and the Minnesota Wild turned on the magic.  Daymond Langkow scored the lone goal for the Flames during the first which was promptly answered by Todd Fedoruk.  Gaborik went on to score twice.