The Calgary Flames cut the Vancouver Canucks Lead atop the Northwest Division to just one point with their 2nd win during a home-and-home series with their rival.
After almost 2 scorless periods, Daymond Langkow opened the scoring with a powerplay deflection off a Dion Phaneuf shot from the point. It was an important goal because it shook-up Canucks goalie Cory Schneider, who was in his first game in the NHL.
Calgary increased their lead to 2-0 when David Moss broke in and fired a wrist shot past Schneider 6:11 into the 3rd period. It was Moss’ 2nd goal in 3 games and turned out to be the game winner.
Calgary netminder Miikka Kiprusoff had his shutout bid ended when Canucks forward Kyle Wellwood scored 5 minutes later to make the score 2-1.
But the Flames continued to use their “new system” of trapping and forechecking to keep the Canucks on their heels and were rewarded with another nice goal. Jarome Iginla and Matthew Lombardi broke in on a 2-on-1 and when Schneider cheated towards an Iginla-shot, the Flames Captain fired a pass across to the speedy Lombardi who one-timed it into the back of the Canucks net.
Calgary now sits one point back of the Canucks for the lead in the Northwest Division and is tied with the Minnesota Wild.
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.
