Puck Daddy - NHL

Puck Daddy

Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:54 am EST

Wednesday's Three Stars: Iggy leads Flames; dueling shutouts

By Greg Wyshynski

No. 1 Star: Jarome Iginla(notes), Calgary Flames

The Flames got some breaks against the Dallas Stars, and Iginla made the most of them. His first goal of the game came on a 3-on-1. His second goal, the OT game-winner, came after a borderline delay-of-game penalty on Loui Eriksson(notes), in which he cleared the puck over the glass while outside of the defensive zone. Iginla's blast on the power play beat Marty Turco(notes) (20 saves) for the overtime win, 3-2. He also had the primary assist on Daymond Langkow's(notes) game-tying goal at 19:11 of the third.

No. 2 star: Tomas Vokoun(notes), Florida Panthers

Vokoun weathered a 21-shot salute in the first period by a desperate Carolina Hurricanes team on the road, and ended up making 32 saves in shutting out the Canes, 3-0. Steven Reinprecht's(notes) ninth of the season was the game-winner.

No. 3 star: Ryan Miller(notes), Buffalo Sabres

Four days ago, the New York Islanders shut out the Sabres. Ryan Miller returned the favor with a confident 24-save performance, as Buffalo snapped the Islanders' 4-game winning streak with a 3-0 victory. Derek Roy's(notes) first goal of the season was the game-winner; Thomas Vanek(notes) and Paul Gaustad(notes) had the other tallies.

Honorable mention: Special stick tap for Curtis McElhinney(notes), as the little-used Flames backup was outstanding in goal (38 saves) in Calgary's win -- including stopping a Brenden Morrow(notes) penalty shot. ... Nicklas Bergfors(notes) scored a pair of power-play goals in the third period, at the New Jersey Devils defeated the Ovechkin-less Washington Capitals, 3-2. ... Milan Hejduk(notes) had a three-point night, including goals to open and close the scoring, in the Colorado Avalanche's 4-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. Peter Budaj(notes) made 28 saves in his first start of the season. Colorado is undefeated (5-0) at home. ...Don't look now, but the San Jose Sharks have won eight of nine after Dan Boyle's(notes) shootout goal gave them a 3-2 SO win at the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joe Thornton(notes) and Dany Heatley(notes) had goals in regulation. Rick Nash(notes) scored his 10th for Columbus. ... Marty Biron stopped 36 of 39 shots in a losing effort for the Isles, and earned a roughing minor for going after Patrick Kaleta(notes). ... Steve Mason(notes) stopped 36 of 38 for the Jackets.

Did you know?: Carolina has seven points through 14 games, matching the worst start in franchise history, set in 1992-93 and 1993-94. (AP)

Dishonorable mention: Missing their star player, the Capitals' taking four penalties in the third period on the road had Coach Bruce Boudreau rightfully steamed after the game. ... Carolina was 0-for-5 on the power play. ... Rob Blake(notes) was injured in the second for the Sharks and didn't return. ... Finally, a record low crowd of 11,012 in Denver watched the Avs pull into a tie with Pittsburgh for the NHL point lead (24).

Related: Steve Mason, Thomas Vanek, Loui Eriksson, Rick Nash, Paul Gaustad, Peter Budaj, Derek Roy, Ryan Miller, Dany Heatley, Steven Reinprecht, Brenden Morrow, Marty Turco, Tomas Vokoun, Joe Thornton, Milan Hejduk, Dan Boyle, Jarome Iginla, Rob Blake, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals, 3 Stars

digg delicious
more

26 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. andrew.loudoun7
    1. Posted by andrew.loudoun7 Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:13 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Poor game by my Flames all around... however the efforts of Cmac and Iggy got the W. Thanks Hockey Gods.
  2. SharksRedSoxFan
    2. Posted by SharksRedSoxFan Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:50 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Time to return the Avs to Quebec eh? That's a WNBA size crowd at the Pepsi Light Center.
  3. HotStacey
    3. Posted by HotStacey Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:59 am EST

    Report Abuse

    boy what a bunch of garbage match ups tonight. ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz. i had three games on and then i though "wtf am i even watching this crap?"
    anyway, i think the two favs for the cup are still Pens and then Det but it'll come down to two things: injuries and motivation left after the Olympics. personally, i hope canada wins the gold so wings players will feel they need to win something to get them back. however, babcock and yzerman are on team canada so maybe that won't matter. anyway, i'm sensing a best of three finisher next june. i used to think ANA still could challenge for the cup but after watching them vs the pens i really think they lost one too many players this summer. pens handled them pretty easily. also, if canada wins gold then getzlaf, perry and niedermayer REALLY won't give a [profane] about the playoffs
  4. HotStacey
    4. Posted by HotStacey Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:03 am EST

    Report Abuse

    wow, avs vs PIT when COL is in FIRST place?? wtf is going on there? that's really surprising. i saw the ATL crowd the other day - couldn't have been more than 10,000. it'd be nice to see a list of which teams are being supported by the others cuz i bet it's almost double digits by now.
  5. HotStacey
    5. Posted by HotStacey Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:04 am EST

    Report Abuse

    oops, avs didn't play PIT but that's still weird
  6. MatthewT
    6. Posted by MatthewT Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:05 am EST

    Report Abuse

    The Dallas Penalty was more than just border line, it was just plain wrong, he was in the neutral zone, definitely isn't a penalty while in the neutral zone. I may be wrong but it look like iggy hit the puck too... that is strike two for the ref did they call over the MLB Umps for this game, there were whistle happy all game. It is a shame that overtime games have to end this way, especially when Dallas turns into District 5 in the extra frame.
  7. R C
    7. Posted by R C Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:36 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Sorry Matt, but if the call was intentionally shooting the puck over the glass the zone doesn't matter. If it was a defensive zone call, well then it was a horrible one.
  8. Drex
    8. Posted by Drex Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:01 am EST

    Report Abuse

    pretty good showing by team canada in columbus tonight
  9. Guy F
    9. Posted by Guy F Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:09 am EST

    Report Abuse

    @ HotStacey : Keep in mind that Getzlaf is coming off hernia surgery. He never got to train in the summer and missed camp. He started the season out of shape and really hasn't found his groove yet (obviously). Once he starts cranking it up, Anaheim will be alot better. Also, one of their goalies will probably get hot and take over the starter's role. Right now they both suck and neither has really solidified themselves as the number one guy.
    I though the Calgary game was pretty good. Morrow and Iginla are great players, especially Morrow. Amazing recovery from his torn ACL. Ott nearly caught Phaneuf with his head down. As much as I loathe Steve Ott, I hate Dion even more...would have been sweet. Regehr had an awesome hit in the corner, laid the dude out...
    @ Matt T : I agree with RC. Lame way to lose the game but the right call was made.
  10. HotStacey
    10. Posted by HotStacey Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:36 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Guy - very true i'd completely forgotten about all that. i always have to remind myself: "don't EVER underestimate Getzlaf, Niedermayer, perry and Selanne when they're in 'serious" mode. once they start cycling the puck you're done. seeing DET v ANA in person in the playoffs last year totally changed me. I've never seen a performance like ryan G's before - truly epic, he was unstoppable. if PIT loses one of their big four at the wrong time they might get challenged pretty hard.
  11. Cutie
    11. Posted by Cutie Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:32 am EST

    Report Abuse

    It's Phoenix's fault nobody came to the Avs game- they're a total crowd killer, has anyone see THEIR stadium during one of their home games?
    Also, how the hell is nobody talking about what a cheap, dirty game the Coyotes played? Watching it literally made me ill because I thought for SURE someone was going to get carried off the ice on a stretcher- probably Duchene who took two shots to the head. Boarding calls shouldn't happen and someone needs to get the Coyotes a memo about how [profane]ty it is to hit high. If that's how they always play then they're an embarrassment to the NHL and to hockey in general. Not to mention their #15 totally diving to get a tripping penalty called on us and their #4 just stop skating before Hejduk made that empty net goal. Seriously, that guy could have definitely at least TRIED to prevent it but he just stopped skating like a [profane] Overall, the Avs outplayed them and showed which team out of the two has staying potential.
  12. Max_Powers
    12. Posted by Max_Powers Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:35 am EST

    Report Abuse

    I guess Boudreau cried after the game and blamed the loss on the disparity in penalties? Or does he only do that in the playoffs?
  13. Slazz
    13. Posted by Slazz Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:47 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Yeah, Getzlaf was so unstoppable, along with the Ducks, that they won it all! Err wait.
  14. Tacks
    14. Posted by Tacks Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:00 am EST

    Report Abuse

    I want to be an nhl ref - that way when i make gross errors in judgement, i have no fear of getting fired or punished at my job. Not that I like crawford, i think he's a terrible coach, but yikes what a call.
  15. Marko
    15. Posted by Marko Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:32 am EST

    Report Abuse

    I'd add a dishonorable mention to the referees in Buffalo last night and the war room in Toronto. Not that it impacted the game (it made the lead 3-0 with 3 or so minutes left) but there was no evidence whatsoever to overturn the no goal call on the ice. Where is the consistency? Look at this play and tell me how that was a goal? Did the puck probably go in? Yes. Was there conclusive evidence? No. Therefore no goal! Hopefully this doesn't occur in a game critical game situation, although I remember a similar play in the Isles - Buffalo playoff series a couple years ago in the final minutes of a one goal game where the no goal call on the ice was upheld despite good evidence that the puck was in the net.
  16. Pensfan71
    16. Posted by Pensfan71 Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:43 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Uhoh Semins agent said he doesn't believe in discounts. Caps better go all or nothing this year, or keep praying that Nylander is going to the KHL. Should have signed Semin and Backstrom in the offseason.
  17. Joel
    17. Posted by Joel Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:49 am EST

    Report Abuse

    That call in OT against the Stars was atrocious (Grossman got the penalty). The puck was in the neutral zone and hit off of Iginla before going out. That is in no way Delay of Game. The game didn't rest on that though- the Stars had a 5-3 for 52 seconds and only got one shot on goal on it, they had a penalty shot that was stopped, and they gave up a goal in the final minute of regulation. That's a recipe for a loss against any team.
  18. Patty (in Dallas)
    18. Posted by Patty (in Dallas) Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:19 am EST

    Report Abuse

    I don't mean to be a stickler, but that atrocious penalty call in OT against Dallas was against Nick Grossman, not Loui Eriksson.
  19. whattheF
    19. Posted by whattheF Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:55 am EST

    Report Abuse

    great game id big D, but the wrong team won. the stars totally outplayed the flames all game and calgary got lucky and stole 2 pts. dallas has to get better at finishing.
  20. McLean
    20. Posted by McLean Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:55 am EST

    Report Abuse

    the penalty in ot against dallas was a brutal call. i didnt see it go off iginla. my interpretation of that rule is that you have to be in your end for it to be a penalty, grossman wasnt. his feet were close, but the puck wasnt. i'll take the points though. after losing at home to colorado and detroit calgary will take them anyway they can get them.
  21. RyDog
    21. Posted by RyDog Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:09 am EST

    Report Abuse

    @Marko....toronto can see alot more than we can...it was def a goal
  22. Marko
    22. Posted by Marko Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:17 am EST

    Report Abuse

    @ RyDog... It may have been a goal, but I didn't see it. I understand Toronto may have had more conclusive angles and will grant you that. I'm just sick of the inconsistencies. There was also I whistle blown on the play and I've seen in the past where goals were disallowed where they clearly went in before the whistle because the referee "intended" to blow the whistle. It's the intention and not the actual sound. It's just so vague that I didn't feel it was a goal, especially with the ref emphatically waving it off on the ice. Like I said, it was inconsequential, but the standards should be streamlined and consistent. But I guess that applies to all the officiating in the NHL!
    Either way, sad to see the isles streak end, but they look like a team that can compete this year, and they are entertaining to watch for the first time in a while. I'm not saying playoffs, but they should earn some respect, are not a guaranteed two points for the opponent and not a 30th place team.
  23. Icedragon
    23. Posted by Icedragon Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:17 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Brutal or not, every team gets a bad call going their way sometimes, its just a matter of taking advantage of those bad calls, which the Flames just so happened to last night. If they hadn't scored on it, and say had won in a SO or something, then that bad call wouldn't be such a big deal. I fully agree the Flames probably should not have won last night, but damn McElhinney was good, its nice to see the kid show his worth. But the Flames really have to stop playing so bad every time he's in net, which they seem to have some awful habit of doing.
  24. buf
    24. Posted by buf Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:29 am EST

    Report Abuse

    The refs were pretty good in the Buffalo game last night. One of the better refed nights and it was goal, clearly in the net and before the ref intended to blow the whistle. Nice to see Toronto get one right this season, specially after their horrible judgement against the leafs the night before.

Puck Daddy

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

Greg Wyshynski

Puck Daddy is an NHL blog edited by Greg Wyshynski. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
Sean Leahy, Ross McKeon, Matt Romig, Dmitry Chesnokov, Ryan Lambert, Dobber, Scott Pianowski,

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

More NHL Photos »

Y! Sports Blogs

Puck Daddy Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)