Ducks at Calgary, vs Flames

There are two more games for our boys before the Olympic break. And of course, they're a back-to-back over the weekend. Our boys are in Calgary tonight, and then in Edmonton tomorrow. It would be nice to nab a playoff spot prior to the Olympic break... I'm just saying.

Starting in the first period, our boys come out of the gates with good energy, but one quickly notices that Calgary is controlling the puck a lot more.

Towards the middle of the first, our boys are awarded a few scoring chances. But keep in mind, it's Miikka Kiprusoff in the Calgary net. His game is downright phenomenal tonight. Honestly, you can't give Kipper all of the credit. The Flames defense is spot on, it's as if there's a forcefield that forms below the circles every time our Ducks enter the zone. Not to mention, our hometown heroes must have left their forecheck in Anaheim. There's simply not enough pressure on the Flames, and they take advantage.

Ducks do get a goal, but the lamp didn't light. Upon further review, it's noted that a shot from Scott Niedermayer at the blue line gets deflected by Troy Bodie, flies into the net shortside, hits the camera, and pops out. It happened so quickly nobody notices... but it's deemed a good goal.

Unfortunately, the Flames tie it up before the end of the period.

Starting the second, I'm hoping our boys will find some energy... but I'm wondering if maybe their minds are on the Olympics and that's why they look a bit hesitant and unfocused?

The boys do have more bite in the second, but not until after the Flames score again. And that one stung as it came right on the heels of an open net opportunity for Ryan Carter, who fanned on the shot.

After a fruitless Duck power play, Bodie takes on Pardy and it's a good tussle.

It's starting to get a bit frustrating, watching our boys have their chances, but not be able to get one past Kipper. I'm sure the frustration is felt on the ice as well... our boys are playing hard, but just not getting the job done.

Passing starts to get sloppy, shots on goal start to get aimless, and that puck posession problem only worsens. Duck players grab the puck only to quickly turn it over or pass to the wrong guy.

Kudos to Saku Koivu, he had a number of good shots on goal. Would've loved to see him get one. Kudos to Steve Eminger as well, doing what he can against blocked shots and keeping the crease clean.

And then Iginla scores again...

Ducks go into the third trailing 1-3. Matt Beleskey bravely takes on Curtis Glencross about five minutes in, and Koivu follows up the energy boost with a puck to the plumbing behind Kipper.

Our hometown heroes manage to stop the bleeding, keeping the Flames from scoring again in the third, but they just can't get their cycle game going. Calgary takes this one, 3-1.