Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers 3-4 (2-0, 1-2, 0-2)
Vince Lombardi said "If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm." There was no need for fiery speeches, rallies or motivational techniques on this night. Add up the tensions of the season opener, the Battle of Alberta and the fact that the Oilers played under a new head coach, with a terrible season behind them. The proverbial Shakespearian World Stage may not have been set, but Rexall was as set as could be coming into this one.
Lincoln's words came in handy after just 30 seconds, when Dion Phaneuf fired home the first goal of the game and then after Sjöström had made it 2-0 just thereafter: "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Unfortunately, the Oilers also handed away their power by giving the Flames the man advantage after 5 minutes of play. With a couple of beauty saves, Khabibulin did not just keep the Oilers afloat, but he registered his first contact with the puck, having conceded the first two shots of the game already. The rattled Oilers went to the dressing room wondering what Greek tragedy was unfolding...
The battle of Alberta ground into a stalemate during the first 10 minutes of the second period, until Andrew Cogliano broke away and slipped the puck five hole on Irving. A vehemented session followed in which the Oilers drew a few penalties from their opponent, culminating in a power play goal courtesy of O'Sullivan. The Flames worked hard to countervail Edmonton's vigor, and Jamie Lundmark managed to send the visitors ahead once again by potting home an unnecessary rebound from Khabibulin. The home fans debated if the comeback was just a chimera during the second intermission. On top of that, three former Oilers had registered points already.
Lubomir Visnovsky opened the third in style, rushing the puck up ice and feeding an open Greg Moore in the slot, Moore made no mistake and ripped home the 3-3 goal! The Slovak fan favourite was not done, either, and took the liberty of firing off a soft point shot that went in over Irving's pads. Chimera or not, the fans were thoroughly enjoying the developments on the ice. The Oilers were in firm command, the Flames were in firm command of nothing but the penalty box at the time. The home team kept pouring it on until the final minute, at which point the Flames looked extremely worn out. End result, 4-3 Oilers.
Post game: Lubomir Visnovksy named first star, naturally, having set up the game tying goal and scored the winner himself. "It's nice" chants were heard throughout Rexall upon the final whistle. Debutant Anton Babchuk was named second star, having had a fine game himself. Pundits did ponder, whether the Oilers could have won this had Kiprusoff been in net...Scoreboard
1st Period:
CGY - Phaneuf (Langkow)
CGY - Sjöström (Glencross, Petersen)
2nd Period:
EDM - Cogliano (Gilbert)
EDM - O'Sullivan (Babchuk, Hemsky) PP
CGY - Lundmark (Jacques, Regehr)
3rd Period:
EDM - Moore (Visnovsky, Moreau)
EDM - Visnovsky (Babchuk, Axelsson)
Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-
Lines:
Penner - O'Sullivan - Hemsky
Cogliano - Laich - Skille
Axelsson - Stone - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - O'Marra
Babchuk - Visnovsky
Lashoff - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Smid
Khabibulin
(Hiller)
0 comments:
Post a Comment