Todd Bertuzzi scored the only goal of the shootout to give the Calgary Flames a 5-4 victory over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.
Michael Cammalleri scored twice and Davis Moss and Jarome Iginla added goals in the Flames win in their final game before the All Star Break. Cammalleri’s 2 goals were number 21 and 22 on the season as he leads the Flames in scoring. Iginla’s goal was his 19th of the season, and his first goal in 9 games. His last 2 goals came on Dec 31, 2008 against the Edmonton Oilers.
The matchup was full of drama as the Blue Jackets gave up four 1-goal leads thoughout the game, and there were a total of 20 penalties handed out in the game. The most dramatic penalty was Dion Phaneuf’s 5 minute (+game misconduct) major penalty for boarding RJ Umberger. The call, questioned by Sportsnet’s Roger Millions, was far from the worst boarding I’ve ever seen, and was overshadowed by the fact that Umberger played more than 9 minutes in the first period (when it happened) and scored 2 goals.
While many will argue that Phaneuf “let up” when he hit Umberger from behind, the fact remains that he hit him square “in the numbers” and face-first into the boards. This was a prime situation where Phaneuf could have laid a highlight hit (typical of his first 2 years in the league) by coming hard along the boards and laying-out Umberger from the side. Instead, he chose to come in and crush him against the boards, resulting in a 5 minute major and a game-misconduct.
The 2 highlights of the game were Rick Nash’s shorthanded breakaway goal on Miikka Kiprusoff and Iginla’s slap-shot goal from the slot midway throught the 1st period. Each of these goals showed why Iginla and Nash will be representing the Western Conference in the NHL All Star Game next weekend in Montreal. Their ability to find the back of the net is amazing and they are both dangerous when they have the puck in front of the net.
Calgary heads into the All Star Break in first place in the Northwest Division, with a 9-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks.
The Flames resume action 1 week from today against the Buffalo Sabres.
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.
