Shaune Vetter: A Big Win In San Jose Flames get a much needed victory against the Sharks

Great game to watch! Finally a game that had a total of more than 4 goals scored! with lots of end to end rushes with scoring chances going both ways! It was nice to see Cammi finally have a solid game 5 on 5 not just on the PP. Up to this point the best part of that trade is we haven't had the lazy penalties Rene Bourque would give out game in and game out. I think Blair Jones deserves a lot of credit for the way he was getting under the skin of Thornton and Clowe, we have not had that type of player in a long time. Looking forward to tonight! "The Scorpion" Loved it!

Great game to watch! Finally a game that had a total of more than 4 goals scored! with lots of end to end rushes with scoring chances going both ways! It was nice to see Cammi finally have a solid game 5 on 5 not just on the PP. Up to this point the best part of that trade is we haven't had the lazy penalties Rene Bourque would give out game in and game out. I think Blair Jones deserves a lot of credit for the way he was getting under the skin of Thornton and Clowe, we have not had that type of player in a long time. Looking forward to tonight! "The Scorpion" Loved it!
- Iggymvp

Jokinen's finally looking like the centerman we thought we were getting 4 years ago... It's nice to see someone clicking with Iginla again.

Great game to watch! Finally a game that had a total of more than 4 goals scored! with lots of end to end rushes with scoring chances going both ways! It was nice to see Cammi finally have a solid game 5 on 5 not just on the PP. Up to this point the best part of that trade is we haven't had the lazy penalties Rene Bourque would give out game in and game out. I think Blair Jones deserves a lot of credit for the way he was getting under the skin of Thornton and Clowe, we have not had that type of player in a long time. Looking forward to tonight! "The Scorpion" Loved it!
- Iggymvp

I loved Jones's game last night too... Comeau too, and even Backlund to an extent. They were all getting involved, and did a great job disrupting Clowe and Thornton all night.

Jokinen's finally looking like the centerman we thought we were getting 4 years ago... It's nice to see someone clicking with Iginla again.
- jtommyt

I just hope we can resign him. I never thought I would be saying that.

I loved that it seemed like Comeau was on the ice the whole game! What a great game for him.

Also, love the fact that Flames play Phoenix 4 times in the next month. They can single handedly knock them out of contention! Flames need to help themselves!

I just hope we can resign him. I never thought I would be saying that.
- whipper334

So does he play it smart and sign for a realistic number (assuming thats the plan) or does he get greedy and ask for too much?

I just hope we can resign him. I never thought I would be saying that.
- whipper334

He wants to stay so I dont see that being a problem. I just hope Feaster doesnt overpay him. I see him as a solid 3rd line centre that can play 2nd line in a pinch. I would be good for a max of 3 years, 1st year 3.5Mill & then 2.0 mill in the last 2 years. Kind of a GlenX type of numbers. If we ever did pull out a Carter deal, Carter, Backlund & Joker up the middle isnt too bad, probably the best we have seen down the middle for some time. Big win, makes up for the lost point to Anaheim, didnt expect this one. Big big game tonight.

He wants to stay so I dont see that being a problem. I just hope Feaster doesnt overpay him. I see him as a solid 3rd line centre that can play 2nd line in a pinch. I would be good for a max of 3 years, 1st year 3.5Mill & then 2.0 mill in the last 2 years. Kind of a GlenX type of numbers. If we ever did pull out a Carter deal, Carter, Backlund & Joker up the middle isnt too bad, probably the best we have seen down the middle for some time. Big win, makes up for the lost point to Anaheim, didnt expect this one. Big big game tonight.
- Kevin R

Yeah it will be tough, Phx resting waiting for us. No excuses though, these are the games they need to win.

Last night Marc Crawford made a good point in the Flames telecast. He said when looking at the 5 teams battling for that final spot, it was clear to him that the Flames had the best goaltending with Miikka Kiprusoff between the pipes. He then stated that he believes the Flames have a good chance to make the post-season based on that fact.

We're doomed now! This is the guy that sat Wayne Gretzky in the most important shootout ever in favour of a guy who could hit targets in a skills competition

Seriously, Kipper is unreal this season and Jokenin was a man possessed last night.

As previously stated , if Jones continues to play and agitate like last night, he will be here for a long time, totally was under Jumbo Joe's skin

So does he play it smart and sign for a realistic number (assuming thats the plan) or does he get greedy and ask for too much?
- geta02it

I think Jok will ask for a fair number but what concerns me is the term he'll want.

We're doomed now! This is the guy that sat Wayne Gretzky in the most important shootout ever in favour of a guy who could hit targets in a skills competition

Seriously, Kipper is unreal this season and Jokenin was a man possessed last night.

As previously stated , if Jones continues to play and agitate like last night, he will be here for a long time, totally was under Jumbo Joe's skin
- scoot174

I think they are in negotiations now to resign him. (and Jokinen)

I think they are in negotiations now to resign him. (and Jokinen)
- whipper334

I'd give Joker 2-3 years, but that's it. And I'd like to see a number around 3.5 per... I don't know if that would be enough to get it done though.

I'd give Joker 2-3 years, but that's it. And I'd like to see a number around 3.5 per... I don't know if that would be enough to get it done though.
- jtommyt

I guess it depends on how much he likes Calgary. I know his wife loves it here.

Just want to point out that Kipper is a great goaltender but Mike Smith has been fabulous in Phoenix this year, Backstrom has proved to be a great goalie in Minnesota, Lehtonen is very solid in Dallas, Giguere has won the cup and is playing great in Colorado. My point is those four other teams love their goaltenders too and at Kippers age would probably keep their own goalies. To say the Flames have the edge in net is debatable.

Just want to point out that Kipper is a great goaltender but Mike Smith has been fabulous in Phoenix this year, Backstrom has proved to be a great goalie in Minnesota, Lehtonen is very solid in Dallas, Giguere has won the cup and is playing great in Colorado. My point is those four other teams love their goaltenders too and at Kippers age would probably keep their own goalies. To say the Flames have the edge in net is debatable.
- flyerdude17

Well we can all agree all of the mentioned are better than Bryz.

Just want to point out that Kipper is a great goaltender but Mike Smith has been fabulous in Phoenix this year, Backstrom has proved to be a great goalie in Minnesota, Lehtonen is very solid in Dallas, Giguere has won the cup and is playing great in Colorado. My point is those four other teams love their goaltenders too and at Kippers age would probably keep their own goalies. To say the Flames have the edge in net is debatable.
- flyerdude17

And Bryzgalov looked great in Phx, how's he look now? Has there EVER been a goalie that didn't look great in Minny? How did they do EVERYWHERE else? yeah, Manny Fernandez was a stud in Boston... Lehtonen has played well in Dallas, but he's no Kipper, and As for Giguere... There's a reason no-one has wanted him for 5 years... #justsaying

And Bryzgalov looked great in Phx, how's he look now? Has there EVER been a goalie that didn't look great in Minny? How did they do EVERYWHERE else? yeah, Manny Fernandez was a stud in Boston... Lehtonen has played well in Dallas, but he's no Kipper, and As for Giguere... There's a reason no-one has wanted him for 5 years... #justsaying
- vetts

Is it just me or does tonight feel like a game 7?

Sad really that a game in Feb feels like this.

Just want to point out that Kipper is a great goaltender but Mike Smith has been fabulous in Phoenix this year, Backstrom has proved to be a great goalie in Minnesota, Lehtonen is very solid in Dallas, Giguere has won the cup and is playing great in Colorado. My point is those four other teams love their goaltenders too and at Kippers age would probably keep their own goalies. To say the Flames have the edge in net is debatable.
- flyerdude17

If you actually watched the games and not just HockeyDB stats, you would know that Kipper is the best of that bunch

Is it just me or does tonight feel like a game 7?

Sad really that a game in Feb feels like this.
- whipper334

They almost have to sweep Phx in these 4 games... It might be sad, but they put themselves in this situation.

If you actually watched the games and not just HockeyDB stats, you would know that Kipper is the best of that bunch
- scoot174

Don't get fooled by my flyerdude17 name as I cannot change it in HB. I watch every Flame game and watch as much hockey as anyone because I watch parts of almost every nhl game played. I have Iggie, Tangs, Cammy, and the Joker on my fantasy team that is a keeper league and has been going for 32 years if you can believe that.
I love Kipper and the Flames and yes Kipper is the best of the bunch but the fact is some of you are drinking too much koolaid. Other than Giggy in Colorado I think the other three teams mentioned would keep their own goaltenders over Kipper. The main reason would be Kippers age as Smith, Backstrom and Lehtonen are good and much younger. Just saying

And Bryzgalov looked great in Phx, how's he look now? Has there EVER been a goalie that didn't look great in Minny? How did they do EVERYWHERE else? yeah, Manny Fernandez was a stud in Boston... Lehtonen has played well in Dallas, but he's no Kipper, and As for Giguere... There's a reason no-one has wanted him for 5 years... #justsaying
- vetts

Have to disagree a little Shaun, you being a blog writer for the Flames makes it hard to see the big picture here. If you look at it without drinking the Koolaid and take everything into consideration there is nothing wrong with those other teams goaltending. Tonight should be one hell of a game and I can't wait. I am afraid of Mike Smith and what he could do to us. He is on a hot streak again and can steal games. Don't get me wrong as I love Kipper and he would probably be my first choice as well but don't like you knocking the others mentioned. As for Bryz, what does he have to do with this conversation. I like Bob better than Bryz anyway.

Have to disagree a little Shaun, you being a blog writer for the Flames makes it hard to see the big picture here. If you look at it without drinking the Koolaid and take everything into consideration there is nothing wrong with those other teams goaltending. Tonight should be one hell of a game and I can't wait. I am afraid of Mike Smith and what he could do to us. He is on a hot streak again and can steal games. Don't get me wrong as I love Kipper and he would probably be my first choice as well but don't like you knocking the others mentioned. As for Bryz, what does he have to do with this conversation. I like Bob better than Bryz anyway.
- flyerdude17

Actually, I'm one of the most neutral people you'll ever meet. Ask Ek, or anyone who reads my stuff. I'm not a HOMER at all, and I'm sure all my readers will attest to that fact.

Have to disagree a little Shaun, you being a blog writer for the Flames makes it hard to see the big picture here. If you look at it without drinking the Koolaid and take everything into consideration there is nothing wrong with those other teams goaltending. Tonight should be one hell of a game and I can't wait. I am afraid of Mike Smith and what he could do to us. He is on a hot streak again and can steal games. Don't get me wrong as I love Kipper and he would probably be my first choice as well but don't like you knocking the others mentioned. As for Bryz, what does he have to do with this conversation. I like Bob better than Bryz anyway.
- flyerdude17

I don't think anyone's disparaging those other guys, but when Kipper's playing at the top of his game he's in a class above them all. Right now Kipper looks like the Vezina winner again. He's playing that well... If you need to win 1 game right now, you take Kipper over almost anyone in the league.