Flames vs. Ducks - Game One Review

I'd be lying if I said I was satisfied with last night's game (beyond the fact that Calgary managed to claim the 1-0 series lead).

It seems that Carlyle, damn his hide, has taken Sutter's gameplan, copied it and applied it to his team. As a Flames fan, Im completely unused to the opposition employing a physical, high pressure forecheck against us. Especially as well as Anaheim managed last night. In short, the Flames got a taste of their own medicine. And it was cross-bar away from being a bitter, bitter pill.

Aside from the first 10 minutes of the contest, Calgary was consistently beat to the puck all over the ice. Puck possession in the Duck's end was often tenuous at best, while races to the puck in Calgary territory were almost invariably won by an Anaheim player. Aside from the odd bright spark - Amonte and Kipper - it was a pretty frustrating game to watch from a Flmes Fan's perspective.

Is there anything worth taking out of this game? Sure. The Ducks played really well, Calgary played pretty average, and the Flames still won. The Ducks had a decent amount of shots and scoring chances, but their only tally was a realtively lucky double-deflection. Special Nieds looked pretty human last night, especially in his own end. He had numerous give-aways that lead to several Flame's scoring chances. Keep it up Scott!

Anyways, I think Calgary's going to have to turn the tables as quickly as possible. I dont think they can continue to be outplayed at their own game and expect to have much success. On Sunday, I fully expect to see more Ducks splattered behind their own net and less Flame's players standing around, confused and seemingly trapped, in front of Kiprusoff.

Positives:

- The vets deliver. Two guys who didn't score a lot in the regular season step-up big time. Kudos Bones and McCarty.

- Miika Kiprusoff. Steals another victory.

- Jarome Iginla. While not overly dangerous most of the night, looked fast, intense and mean. Assisted on Amonte's goal.

- Kristian Huselius. Great pass to McCarty for the game winner.

- Penalty-kill. Stuffed all 5 Anaheim chances, including two 5on3's.

Negatives:

- Chuck Kobasew. Didn't do much aside from get clobbered by Vishnevski all night.

- Powerplay. Simply abysmal. Flames forwards counldn't seem to control the puck while the defensemen couldn't seem to get a shot on net. Im looking at you, Dion.

- Puck possession. Calgary was beaten to the puck, at both ends of the rink, most of the night.

- Officiating. Okay, it was actually pretty decent overall. However, how does Jarome get a penalty for being punched in the face? And if that Niedermayer arm-bar take down on Langkow in overtime isn't obstruction, then I dont know what is.

Next up - Game 2!