Calgary Flames vs. San Jose Sharks: Anything Can Happen
Well, we just saw the Flames put in their best 60 minute effort of the series and perhaps we've finally seen a glimpse of the type of hockey this team can play. IMO there were a couple key things tonight that precipitated the win.
1. Keenan played a terrific matchup game. He used the Regehr/Sarich pairing to perfection against the Thornton line, he made sure the Nystrom/Primeau/Moss line was up against the soft opposition.
2. Guys stepping up. Anders Eriksson played maybe the best game I've seen him play, David Moss played his role to perfection (except that forgettable 3-1 which he overcomplicated), I think Kristian Huselius played a very good game, and lastly, Miikka Kiprusoff with the shutout.
3. Matthew Lombardi continues his defensive effectiveness. He CANNOT seem to convert his chances but he's just doing everything else so well. Another couple blocked shots tonight, making a lot of good decisions out there in general. I feel very comfortable with his play.
4. Owen Nolan has been about as clutch a player as the Flames have had this postseason. We've seen by far his best efforts this season and he now has 2 game winners this series, a pretty impressive feat. MG has validly questioned Nolan's 2nd line presence, but there's no doubt right now Nolan's earning it.
A valid question on the fan 960 after the game; Are the Flames this good or did the Sharks play this bad?
Is this not the closest series you've ever seen? Every game a 1 goal difference except for each team's 2-0 shutout victory.
Might not get a chance to comment on G7 with my current schedule, so I'll just say this. It's game 7, anything can happen.
Go Flames!!
1. Keenan played a terrific matchup game. He used the Regehr/Sarich pairing to perfection against the Thornton line, he made sure the Nystrom/Primeau/Moss line was up against the soft opposition.
2. Guys stepping up. Anders Eriksson played maybe the best game I've seen him play, David Moss played his role to perfection (except that forgettable 3-1 which he overcomplicated), I think Kristian Huselius played a very good game, and lastly, Miikka Kiprusoff with the shutout.
3. Matthew Lombardi continues his defensive effectiveness. He CANNOT seem to convert his chances but he's just doing everything else so well. Another couple blocked shots tonight, making a lot of good decisions out there in general. I feel very comfortable with his play.
4. Owen Nolan has been about as clutch a player as the Flames have had this postseason. We've seen by far his best efforts this season and he now has 2 game winners this series, a pretty impressive feat. MG has validly questioned Nolan's 2nd line presence, but there's no doubt right now Nolan's earning it.
A valid question on the fan 960 after the game; Are the Flames this good or did the Sharks play this bad?
Is this not the closest series you've ever seen? Every game a 1 goal difference except for each team's 2-0 shutout victory.
Might not get a chance to comment on G7 with my current schedule, so I'll just say this. It's game 7, anything can happen.
Go Flames!!
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5 comments:
The pair of 2-0 games aren't the only ones. Each team has a 3-2 win and a 4-3 win.
I find it fascinating that this series is so close, yet hasn't gone to overtime.
I had similar thoughts to yours on matchups (funny what you can do when you don't have to hide Godard) and Huselius (looked like he wanted it for the first time in a while).
But, lost in it all was that the best player on either team, by far, was Regehr. As you mentioned, the matching by Keenan was fantastic, but that's nothing unless your players stepped up. Regehr played an absolutely perfect defensive game.
it absolutely AMAZES me that regehr can be so physical, strong and dominating and not get called for a SINGLE PENALTY in SIX GAMES (touch wood).
that's excellence, if you ask me.
I agree with the comments about Regehr. This guy has been amazing and has been a leader on the ice for Calgary on every shift. He's had to contain some of the toughest guys on the Sharks and he's done it all without a penalty so far.
I think he's been the player who has brought the most hustle to every shift. The only other player close to him is Matthew Lombardi.
But, lost in it all was that the best player on either team, by far, was Regehr. As you mentioned, the matching by Keenan was fantastic, but that's nothing unless your players stepped up. Regehr played an absolutely perfect defensive game.
To tell you the truth it wasn't really an oversight, I've just personally felt he's been playing at a spectacular level since game 2. Game one was a bit off for him, but ever since he's been absolutely dominant.
I still feel Iginla is the best player out on the ice game in and game out, but Regehr is playing just about as well as I've ever seen him, and I've seen him good.
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