The Game Rush: Flames vs. Bruins

An in-depth look at the Flames-Bruins tilt

Tuesday, 22.02.2011 / 9:01 PM / News
By Torie Peterson

CALGARY, AB -- Despite throwing nearly 30 shots at Tim Thomas, the Calgary Flames fell 3-1 to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.

The Flames slow start cost them early when Milan Lucic opened the scoring just 0:59 in. Calgary managed to put 13 shots on net in the first 20:00 of play but were unable to produce.

The second period was very similar to the first with the Flames putting a lot of pressure on Thomas but failing to put any pucks past him.

Brad Marchand gave Boston a two-goal lead early in the final frame. Calgary got on the board late in the period when Curtis Glencross scored on the power play, notching his 20th goal of the season. Pressing for the equalizer, the Flames pulled Miikka Kiprusoff for the extra attacker but Lucic scored on the empty net, sinking the team's comeback hopes.

At the morning skate, the Flames were adamant they needed to avoid having a "Heritage Classic hangover" but when they hit the ice against the Bruins, their first few shifts could best be described as frazzled. An ill-timed line change gave Boston an incredible scoring opportunity and they didn't waste it.

David Krejci saw several Flames head towards the bench as he grabbed the puck in the neutral zone and he went flying into the zone along the boards. Lucic was trailing behind him in the slot and Krejci knew it. He threw his stick back like he was going to send a slap shot at Kiprusoff, getting the goalie to commit. Instead, he sent a slap pass over to Lucic and the youngster tipped it into the net less than a minute into the game.

Anton Babchuk's play has been steadily improving as of late and his heads-up play late in the second period saved his team from falling behind by two goals.

Gregory Campbell went in on a two-on-one with Chris Kelly and with the time and space the duo had, it looked like a Boston goal was just seconds away. Babchuk stayed between the pair and when he saw Campbell lift his stick to make the pass, he threw his body down to block it. The Flames weren't out of woods though, as Babchuk's block sent the puck drifting towards an open corner of the net. He got his stick over just in time to whack the puck into the corner.

Glencross kept up his hot streak, scoring the Flames lone goal in the loss. The winger was a force to be reckoned with all night, contributing greatly on the forecheck through all three periods, and creating havoc whenever he was on the ice.

The 28 year-old had two shots on net, four takeaways and one hit in 15:29 of ice time.

Miikka Kiprusoff needs 13 more wins to pass Mike Vernon (262) for 1st on the all time wins list for the Flames.

Brendan Morrison needs nine more games to reach 900.

Mark Giordano blocked four shots against the Bruins.

"It's 20 now. I've got to set my goal higher and get as many more as I can this year. It's kind of tough on a night like tonight when you lose 3-1 but we'll move forward." - Glencross on his 20th goal of the season



 
Friday, Feb.25  vs. San Jose
  7:00 PM MT (Sportsnet Calgary, FAN 960)

 The San Jose Sharks pay a visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday night during their brief one-game road swing. The teams have split the season series thus far, both winning at home. The Flames have outscored the Sharks 7-4 in their first two games.

Game time is 7:00 PM MT on Sportsnet Calgary and The FAN 960.
59 Seconds into the game, the Bruins capitalized on a bad line change by the Flames and opened the scoring.
5 Shots on net for Niklas Hagman, leading all Flames in that category.
20 Goals this campaign for Glencross.
100 Win percentage for Tom Kostopoulos in the faceoff circle.
30 Assists this season for Alex Tanguay.

1st Star
Tim Thomas
SA SV GA TOI SV%
29 28 1 60:00 .965
2nd Star
Curtis Glencross
G A P +/- Shots
1 0 1 -2 2
3rd Star
David Krejci
G A P +/- Shots
0 2 2 +2 4

BRUINS
Tim Thomas
SA SV GA TOI SV%
29 28 1 60:00 .965
FLAMES
Miikka Kiprusoff
SA SV GA TOI SV%
29 27 2 59:03 .931