Road Warriors

“(That save) was unreal. I don’t even know how he saw it. It was a huge save, and belongs on the highlight reel.” – Daymond Langkow

Operating under the same on-the-bricks blueprint that has been so successful on this six-game road swing, the Calgary Flames used timely tallies, defensive diligence and the masterful goaltending of Miikka Kiprusoff to take a 2-1 bite out of the Western Conference-leading San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

The Flames have been masterful on the road this season, playing a patient, poised game that minimizes mistakes, stresses rapid puck movement, physical domination and attention to detail. While they haven’t exactly been filing the opposition net, they have allowed only six goals in the last five games – a ratio that produces points regardless of where the job gets accomplished. The Sutter system, much more evident and successful away from the Saddledome than at home, allows the club to overcome the shortcomings that would plague other teams but only seems to momentarily stall the Calgary club.

The team remains inadequate in the face-off circle at both ends of the rink, struggles on the power-play and gives up too many quality scoring chances. These faults are compensated by an uncanny ability to hit the score sheet first – the San Jose victory marked only the eighth time in 28 games the Flames didn’t open the scoring. Add in the emergence of a solid six-man defensive unit that blocks shots, lays on the body, pounces on more rebounds than they lose and moves the puck accurately and wisely, and you have a team capable of sizable success despite their failures.

And then there is Kiprusoff. Flames fans should just sit back and feast their eyes on the Kipper, because quality goaltending of this caliber only presents itself once or twice a decade. His ridiculously telepathic heel save against San Jose’s Scott Nicol may have become a YouTube sensation, but the knowledgeable Flames fanatic knows that type of head-shaking, eye-bulging performance has been a nightly event.

There’s no doubt the Flames would be mired towards the bottom of the playoff ladder without the explosive exploits of their goaltender, which is why coach Sutter – and pensive pundits – remain unconvinced the club is consistent enough to stay among the elite, even though they reside there now.

This much can be said – if, and when, the team irons out the small wrinkles that still wreck havoc on the Sutter system and if Kiprusoff continues to anticipate, react and remain in the zone he currently occupies, this team will quickly ascend from pretender to contender to champion.

Calgary wrap up their longest road trip of the season with a date against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night before returning home to battle the Atlanta Thrashers on Wednesday.

Flame Flicks:

The Flames and Sharks both had 35 hits and 36 shots-on-goal in the evenly played and paced affair.

Once again, Calgary were inefficient in the face-off circle in their tilt against the Sharks, winning just 41% of the draws.

The Flames have a busy week. In addition to returning home after a lengthy road swing, the club plays four games in the next days with matches against Los Angeles, Atlanta, Minnesota and Colorado.

Brian McGrattan replaced Brandon Prust in the starting line-up and quickly engaged in a mitt-swinging tango with Shark slugger Frazer McLaren.

Nigel Dawes was elevated to the top line with Iginla and Jokinen, making him the eighth different winger to join Iggy and Olli on the main unit.