Flames even out season series

Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames 3-4 (2-0, 0-1, 1-3)

Edmonton come into the final game of the season, an appropriately dramatic Battle of Alberta no less, with the chance to dethrone Calgary from the divison lead, if Vancouver win one of their two remaining games. The Flames' strong 53-23-5 record is in itself imposing, but the Oilers actually have the series lead this season with 4-3-0. Greg Moore returned to the lineup, meaning Brule was scratched. Nik Khabibulin started the game, after sitting for a couple.

Confident home fans were taunting their opponents from the opening face off, but were quickly silenced when Brooks Laich took advantage of a power play. Calgary was most definitely in the game, playing their usually physical hockey, but it rendered no results in the first. Instead, Sam Gagner doubled the Oilers lead before the intermission.

There was a strange smell emanating from the home bench in the second, quite possibly from the extra odour from the new ones the team had been ripped in the break. It had an apparent effect on the ice too, David Moss scored a gritty goal during a period of solid pressure by the Flames. Edmonton's chances were reduced to a few rushes, a power play, but they could not do much else than defend.

Moss and Schafer combined effectively on two separate occasions leading to a turn-around in the game a few minutes into the third. The Oilers were struggling to keep their opposition from gaining the zone, the Flames more often than not operating on the inside, getting good chances from hard work and quality passing. Jarome Iginla added the 4-2 goal and the home fans were certain of triumph. Dustin Penner managed to create some late period distress, but it was limited to uneasy chants and a few moments of anticipatory silence only.

Post game: "It was a good final test, but not one I feel we passed with any authority" reflected GM Kowalski on the final game of the regular season. Painfully for the Oilers fans, it also meant that Calgary would clinch top spot in the Northwest Division and also the President's Trophy.


Scoreboard
1st Period:
EDM - Laich (Penner, O'Sullivan) PP
EDM - Gagner (Hemsky, Penner)

2nd Period:
CGY - Moss (Schaefer, M. Murray)

3rd Period:
CGY - Schaefer (Moss, Kubina)
CGY - Schaefer (Moss)
EDM - Penner (O'Sullivan, Laich)


Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
-

Lines:
Tangradi - Laich - O'Sullivan
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Axelsson - Cogliano - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - O'Marra

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Yonkman

Khabibulin
(Hiller)