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The Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins met for the 2nd time in just over a week last night and I have to say, I was impressed with the turnout of both games.
Given how uneven the two teams are on paper, the Flames have kept both games against the Bruins very close, losing 2-1 and 2-0. The most important player for any team is their captain, and the Boston’s captain lead his team to a win with his two goals scored.
Having an assist on both goals would be former Flames captain Jarome Iginla who has now registered 21 points with the group this year.
While the first period would see no goals, the Bruins would open the scoring midway through the 2nd period with a power-play goal after Lance Bouma took a double minor for highsticking David Krejci.
The first period would be pretty even in terms of chances and shots on net, but it was the second period when the Bruins really heated up and threw 15 shots on net, compared to the Flames four. Despite having two power-plays in the 2nd period of their own, the Flames could not convert on either against a very strong defensive Boston team.
The game would eventually be sealed with a second power-play goal by Chara as the Flames could not hold them off long enough to find the back of the net themselves. Though the final tally would be 2-0, the game was a lot closer than the score sheet indicated.
Both goals were scored on the power-play, and the Flames were outshot 31-21. The Flames once again battled hard and kept the game close, something which has been a silver lining to their season so far.
“We played pretty good, especially in the first period. We had our chances,… Berra said. “I think we fight. We try. We do everything. … There’s no other way than just keep going like that and the luck will come back on our side for sure.…
Although Bouma took a double minor for his highsticking penalty, the team and his coach did not hold it against him. The penalty which caused the first goal of the game was nothing but a bad luck play as Bouma’s stick came up and caught Krejci. Lance was skating hard battling for the puck and it is exactly what you want to see from your players, save for the penalty of course.
“Lance works so hard and he’s such a great young man to work with that we all felt bad,… Calgary coach Bob Hartley said. “He’s a great guy — a great team guy. No one does it on purpose. That’s something that he’ll have to learn, but it’s going to come with time and it’s going to come with experience.…
The above quote is something that has really been standing out of late with this team -unanimity. They play with each other, for each other. This is a trait which is very important and often hard to develop within teams and are crucial to success. The Flames have been working well as a group of late and their commitment to the systems placed by their coach is apparent.
All things considered, the highlight of the night for both teams was the goaltending. Both Tuukka Rask and Both Reto Berra had great nights, each earning the first and second star, respectively.
Berra has been demonstrating the qualities which the Flames thought he possessed when they brought him over, and between him and Ramo, it appears that the Flames may have at least one promising starter for their upcoming seasons. Still far too early to tell, however I like what I see so far.
The Calgary Flames will take to the ice against the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night at the Joe Louis Arena.
Thanks for reading!