Calgary……2
Vancouver..3
The Calgary Flames clinched a spot in the 2006 playoffs tonight after registering one point in their overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Ed Jovanovski scored midway through overtime to keep the Vancouver’s playoff dreams alive by giving them two points with the 3-2 win.
After 5 days off, Vancouver jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period. They had energy and attacked the Flames all over the ice. Calgary looked tired, playing their 3rd game in 4 nights.
But the Canucks sat back and tried to protect their lead and were unsuccessful.
With the playoffs on the line, Calgary answered with 2 goals in 2 minutes in the third period. Jarome Iginla deflected a Mark Giordano point shot for his 34th goal of the season, and then Byron Ritchie took a pass from Daymond Langkow and buried it behind Canucks goalie Alex Auld. The Flames continued to press after the goals but were unable to put a 3rd puck past Auld.
With 98 points, Calgary has now clinched a playoff spot. They still have a great chance to win the Northwest Division, sitting 6 points up on 2nd place Colorado with 5 games remaining.
Calgary’s next game is at home against Anaheim on April 11th.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
VAN: Morrison (17) A: Jovanovski
VAN: Ohlund (12) unassisted
2nd Period
no scoring
3rd Period
CGY: Iginla (33) A: Giordano, Lundmark
CGY: Ritchie (3) A: Langkow, Iginla
Overtime
VAN: Jovanovski (7) A: Naslund, Morrison
Greg is the founder of Red Mile Blog has been following the Flames through good times and bad since they arrived in Calgary in the early 80s. He has written hundreds of articles on the Flames since 2005 and considers himself an expert on hockey inconsistency and frustration. He shoots right and usually plays defence, but has been known to jump up in the rush. He is a 2-time CAHL men's league champion and knows the sweet taste of beer from a Cup.
