New Year's day signifies the start of something new, a chance to begin afresh.
For the Nashville Predators, their contest with the Calgary Flames started in a way that was anything but new. They gave up the first goal and allowed the Flames to hold a significant territorial advantage in the first 12:30 of their game at the Bridgestone Arena.
The new year saw the old Predators on the ice.
But it is a new year and a time of new beginnings, and the Predators reversed their fortunes with some strong play to defeat the Flames 5-3 in front of their sixth straight sellout crowd.
The Flames opened the scoring at 3:47 of the first period as Jerome Iginla spun away from Sergei Kostitsyn in the low slot and beat Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne with a shot low to the stick side to give the Flames a 1-0 lead. This was Iginla's 499th goal.
Calgary continued to control the puck in the Predators zone, and the Predators were looking much like the Predators team that would come out flat for a period and struggle to establish even the most basic offensive effort. The Predators often looked content to just get the puck out of the zone.
Same old Predators, eh?
Not so fast.
Instead of taking 20 minutes to finally get their game going, the Predators got their legs midway of the period and started to challenge the Flames. They began to get the puck deep and work their cycle to create chances and control possession.
The Predators broke through on the scoreboard at 12:39 of the first period as Kevin Klein, back in the lineup after missing six games with the flu, blasted a slap shot from the blue line that beat a screened Mikka Kiprusoff glove side to tie the game at 1. Critical to this goal was Gabriel Bourque, who battled behind the net
and fought to get control of the puck. This play doesn't happen if Bourque does not win
that puck battle
That goal served to energize the Predators, as the would dominate the Flames for the rest of the period and all of the second period. For the next 30 minutes, the Predators would play as good a stretch of hockey as they have played all season.
Sergei Kostitsyn would notch the Predators second goal at 15:46 of the period off a nice assist from Patric Hornqvist. Hornqvist battled hard in the corner and passed the puck from out of the corner from behind the goal line to Kostitsyn, who was driving hard to the net. Kostitsyn was able to get his stick on the pass and chip the puck over Kiprusoff, who could not get over to cover the left side of the net to make it 2-1.
The Flames out shot the Predators 9-7 in the first period, but the final eight minutes were controlled by the Predators.
They continued to dominate play throughout the second period, out shooting the Flames 14-5 and controlling the puck for long stretches. Calgary went over 10 minutes in the period without a shot on net.
The Predators made it 3-1 just 2:27 into the second period as Matt Halischuk tallied his 9th goal of the year by driving the net and hammering a snap shot past Kirusoff from the slot.
Sergei Kostitsyn would tally his second goal of the contest at 5:59 of the second as he broke in 2 on 1 with Patric Hornqvist. Kostitsyn looked to Hornqvist as if he was going to pass the puck and snapped a wrist shot that beat Kipper five hole to make it 4-1.
Everyone in the arena knew that Calgary would not roll over and would have a push in the third period, and that is just what they did. Rene Bourque scored just 1:17 into the period as he skated into the slot and beat Rinne make it 4-2.
Two goal lead for the Predators and they were still in control, but Calgary kept pushing, trying to draw closer. The Predators did a good job in the period of forcing Calgary to the outside and keeping the Flames forwards from the front of the net. Limiting quality scoring chances was going to be critical for the Predators to secure the victory, and they were doing a good job of doing just that for the bulk of the period.
Calgary cut the lead to 1, 4-3, at 17:57 of the third period as Brenden Morrison was able to beat Rinne by slamming home a rebound of a T. J. Brodie shot.
Kiprusoff was pulled for the extra attacker, and with a face off in the Predators zone, the pucker factor for Predators fans was off the chart.
That anxiety would change to elation as Sergei Kostitsyn corralled a chip out of the zone by Kevin Klein that appeared destined for the empty net and tapped it into the empty net for the final margin of 5-3 for the Predators. For Kostitsyn, this was his first career hat trick, and his timely scoring propelled the Predators to the first win of 2012.
Once again, the Predators were without Shea Weber, who has been moved to Injured Reserve with his concussion, and Colin Wilson, who is out with an upper body injury. Since Weber has been out of the lineup, the Predators are 3-1. They have won 9 of their last 12 games.
Once again, this effort tonight showed that this team can win playing Predator hockey. Timely scoring from throughout the lineup and solid defense and goaltending have been the keys to success for this team. This team will win and will win frequently if they keep playing with this kind of effort.
Both Jordin Tootoo and birthday boy Patric Hornqvist had two assists.
Calgary is a team chasing the Predators in the standings, and it is important that this team take care of business against an opponent that is trying to catch them in the standings.
Hats off for a solid effort.
My three stars:
1. Sergei Kostitsyn
2. Kevin Klein
3. Patric Hornqvist
Showing posts with label Rene Bourque. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rene Bourque. Show all posts
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Predators Fail to Snuff the Flames, Fall in a Shoot Out 3-2
7:00
60 minutes.
Kill or be killed.
These were the themes of a Predators shootout loss to the Calgary Flames by a score of 3-2 at the Bridgestone Arena. Let's expand expand those themes, shall we?
Although the Predators outshot the Calgary Flames 11-8 in the first period, it appeared early on as if the Predators didn't realize that the game started at 7:00. Calgary came out with much more jump and at the 8:00 minute mark of the first period had outshot the Predators 6-1. Without the solid play of Pekka Rinne, who made some great saves early in the contest, Calgary would have run the Predators out of the barn.
Fortunately, it is a 20 minute period, and the Predators finally woke up. The Predators would tally the game's first goal on their second shot of the game, as Martin Erat took a nice pass from Sergei Kostitsyn, fought off a defender, and slipped a backhand shot between Mikka Kiprusoff and the post to give the Predators a 1-0 lead at 7:43 of the first period.
That goal energized the Predators, and they outshot the Flames 9-2 over the remainder of the period. The Predators generated some quality chances, but could not put another puck past Kiprusoff, who was called upon to make some good saves.
60 minutes. The second period was scoreless, with each team putting 6 shots on goal. However, the Flames controlled the puck for much of the second period, and the Predators offense generated zilch in terms of good scoring chances. For much of the second period, it appeared as if the Predators considered it a win if they successfully cleared the defensive zone.
Compounding the problem for the Predators was the fact that they took inopportune penalties, especially penalties that were taken by their top penalty killers. Nick Spaling was tagged with three of the Predators five penalties during the game; Jerred Smithson took one, as did Ryan Suter. Fortunately for the Predators, their stellar penalty kill continued their torrid pace as they killed all of the Calgary man advantage chances.
Kill or be killed. The Predators entered the third period with a 1-0 advantage, and promptly gave up that lead at the 2:57 mark of the third period as Matt Stajan scored on a goal that Pekka Rinne would like to have back. Stajan took an unscreened shot that Rinne let slip between his arm and his body for the tying score. As solid as Rinne was- even spectacular at times with some of his saves- this was a horribly soft goal that seemed to energize the Flames.
Nashville seized the momentum back at 5:24 of the third period when Patric Hornqvist notched his 16th goal of the season on the power play. Hornqvist buried the rebound of a Shea Weber shot while working hard in front of the net, and once again, the Predators had the lead and the chance to put a way the Flames.
Once again, the Predators painfully showed a lack of killer instinct. Rather than snuff the Flames, they let Cory Sarich walk into the slot unmolested and he rifled a shot over the shoulder of Rinne for the tying score at 9:04 of the third.
The Predators had a few other scoring chances but could not get the puck into the net as Kiprusoff made some good saves. The fact is that the offense did not create enough scoring chances and Calgary was able to hold the Predators off the board for the remainder of the period.
The Predators did a good job of limiting Calgary for the remainder of the third period, and we were heading to overtime.
Kill or be killed.
When you have the lead late in a game, you have to put the other team away. The Predators have inexplicably shown an inability to do so recently, as they have given up 8 third period goals in their last five games.
A scoreless overtime period was the result of some good saves by Rinne, as the Predators offense managed only 1 shot on goal and never challenged Kiprsusoff.
Kill or be killed.
Whether playing too cautiously or playing for a point, the fact remains that the Predators had turned from hunters to hunted.
In the shootout, Rene Bourque scored as the first shooter for the Flames. Rinne stopped Alex Tanguay and Ollie Jokinen. Nashville countered with Martin Erat, Cody Franson, and David Legwand. All shot blanks, and Calgary skated away with their third win over the Predators this season.
This is a frustrating loss for the Predators, because they played well in spurts, but did not play a complete game. They picked up a point, but frankly should have had 2.
These are the kind of games that can turn a season. Learn the lessons of this contest: start strong; play a full 60 minutes; and put teams away when you have the opportunity.
Fail to learn these lessons and the results in upcoming contests will be just as painful as tonight's game.
My three stars:
1. Mikka Kiprusoff
2. Matt Stajan
3. Sergei Kostitsyn
60 minutes.
Kill or be killed.
These were the themes of a Predators shootout loss to the Calgary Flames by a score of 3-2 at the Bridgestone Arena. Let's expand expand those themes, shall we?
Although the Predators outshot the Calgary Flames 11-8 in the first period, it appeared early on as if the Predators didn't realize that the game started at 7:00. Calgary came out with much more jump and at the 8:00 minute mark of the first period had outshot the Predators 6-1. Without the solid play of Pekka Rinne, who made some great saves early in the contest, Calgary would have run the Predators out of the barn.
Fortunately, it is a 20 minute period, and the Predators finally woke up. The Predators would tally the game's first goal on their second shot of the game, as Martin Erat took a nice pass from Sergei Kostitsyn, fought off a defender, and slipped a backhand shot between Mikka Kiprusoff and the post to give the Predators a 1-0 lead at 7:43 of the first period.
That goal energized the Predators, and they outshot the Flames 9-2 over the remainder of the period. The Predators generated some quality chances, but could not put another puck past Kiprusoff, who was called upon to make some good saves.
60 minutes. The second period was scoreless, with each team putting 6 shots on goal. However, the Flames controlled the puck for much of the second period, and the Predators offense generated zilch in terms of good scoring chances. For much of the second period, it appeared as if the Predators considered it a win if they successfully cleared the defensive zone.
Compounding the problem for the Predators was the fact that they took inopportune penalties, especially penalties that were taken by their top penalty killers. Nick Spaling was tagged with three of the Predators five penalties during the game; Jerred Smithson took one, as did Ryan Suter. Fortunately for the Predators, their stellar penalty kill continued their torrid pace as they killed all of the Calgary man advantage chances.
Kill or be killed. The Predators entered the third period with a 1-0 advantage, and promptly gave up that lead at the 2:57 mark of the third period as Matt Stajan scored on a goal that Pekka Rinne would like to have back. Stajan took an unscreened shot that Rinne let slip between his arm and his body for the tying score. As solid as Rinne was- even spectacular at times with some of his saves- this was a horribly soft goal that seemed to energize the Flames.
Nashville seized the momentum back at 5:24 of the third period when Patric Hornqvist notched his 16th goal of the season on the power play. Hornqvist buried the rebound of a Shea Weber shot while working hard in front of the net, and once again, the Predators had the lead and the chance to put a way the Flames.
Once again, the Predators painfully showed a lack of killer instinct. Rather than snuff the Flames, they let Cory Sarich walk into the slot unmolested and he rifled a shot over the shoulder of Rinne for the tying score at 9:04 of the third.
The Predators had a few other scoring chances but could not get the puck into the net as Kiprusoff made some good saves. The fact is that the offense did not create enough scoring chances and Calgary was able to hold the Predators off the board for the remainder of the period.
The Predators did a good job of limiting Calgary for the remainder of the third period, and we were heading to overtime.
Kill or be killed.
When you have the lead late in a game, you have to put the other team away. The Predators have inexplicably shown an inability to do so recently, as they have given up 8 third period goals in their last five games.
A scoreless overtime period was the result of some good saves by Rinne, as the Predators offense managed only 1 shot on goal and never challenged Kiprsusoff.
Kill or be killed.
Whether playing too cautiously or playing for a point, the fact remains that the Predators had turned from hunters to hunted.
In the shootout, Rene Bourque scored as the first shooter for the Flames. Rinne stopped Alex Tanguay and Ollie Jokinen. Nashville countered with Martin Erat, Cody Franson, and David Legwand. All shot blanks, and Calgary skated away with their third win over the Predators this season.
This is a frustrating loss for the Predators, because they played well in spurts, but did not play a complete game. They picked up a point, but frankly should have had 2.
These are the kind of games that can turn a season. Learn the lessons of this contest: start strong; play a full 60 minutes; and put teams away when you have the opportunity.
Fail to learn these lessons and the results in upcoming contests will be just as painful as tonight's game.
My three stars:
1. Mikka Kiprusoff
2. Matt Stajan
3. Sergei Kostitsyn
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Flames Frustrate Predators With a 1-0 OT win
The Nashville Predators dropped their second consecutive overtime decision 1-0 to the Calgary Flames at the Bridgestone Arena. While the loss of the game hurts, the Predators face a potentially more hurtful loss as defenseman Ryan Suter was injured on his first shift of the game in a collision with Cory Sarich and did not return to the game.
Suter was racing to the red line to clear the puck and suffered a knee injury when he was run into by Sarich. Suter was not in a good position to take the hit and crumpled to the ice after taking what appeared to be a knee on knee hit. He struggled to get to the bench and had to be helped off the ice as the play continued.
Since the Predators only dressed six defensemen, the remaining five blueliners had to log some serious ice time. Shea Weber led all of the Preds D-men with 29:11 of ice time.
This was a choppy game all night. The Predators had decent effort, but frankly, the execution was lacking all night. Passes were not crisp and the Predators had a difficult time sustaining consistent offensive pressure. When the Predators did mount some offense, Calgary netminder Mikka Kiprusoff was solid in goal, shutting off any Predator scoring opportunities.
The Predators offense welcomed back Marty Erat, who had missed the last three games with back spasms. It was obvious that Marty was rusty as he never generated much in the offensive zone.
Like Erat, the Predators also had starting netminder Pekka Rinne between the pipes. Unlike Erat, Rinne was solid and showed no ill effects from missing three games with an injured knee. Rinne made several key stops when Calgary threatened.
With only five defenders, the Predators did a good job of keeping Calgary to the outside for a good part of the game. The Predators kept Calgary off the board in regulation and outshot the Flames 34-32.
The Predators were outshot 3-0 in the overtime period, and Rene Bourque got the game winner at 2:10 of the overtime period as he gathered in a Brendan Morrison shot in the low slot and beat Rinne. With the victory, Calgary has now won five straight contests in Nashville.
The Predators went 0-5 on the power play, mustering only nine shots for their effort. This, in my opinion, was the turning point of the game.
Head Coach Barry Trotz said after the game that the team did not have much "poise with the puck", and that was evident throughout the night. Passes were not sharp and decisions with the puck were not good. This prevented the Predators from establishing any consistent offensive flow.
The Predators were fortunate to get a point out of this contest, an effort that was definitely not their best. The top lines are going to have to gel and make good puck decisions.Offensive zone presence and pressure from the top six forwards has to improve for this team to get back on track.
Obviously, the concern is for the health of Suter. The loss of a steady, puck moving defenseman had a negative psychological effect on the team, but injuries are part of the game and this team has to show resilience in the face of the adversity that they are facing.
The value of a game like this is that it exposes the weaknesses that must be strengthened. It demonstrates clearly that Predator hockey is a formula for success, and failure to play their game will lead to more disappointment.
The character of this team will be tested. Two disappointing OT losses and mounting injuries will test the boys.
This is the time to rise to the occasion.
Suter was racing to the red line to clear the puck and suffered a knee injury when he was run into by Sarich. Suter was not in a good position to take the hit and crumpled to the ice after taking what appeared to be a knee on knee hit. He struggled to get to the bench and had to be helped off the ice as the play continued.
Since the Predators only dressed six defensemen, the remaining five blueliners had to log some serious ice time. Shea Weber led all of the Preds D-men with 29:11 of ice time.
This was a choppy game all night. The Predators had decent effort, but frankly, the execution was lacking all night. Passes were not crisp and the Predators had a difficult time sustaining consistent offensive pressure. When the Predators did mount some offense, Calgary netminder Mikka Kiprusoff was solid in goal, shutting off any Predator scoring opportunities.
The Predators offense welcomed back Marty Erat, who had missed the last three games with back spasms. It was obvious that Marty was rusty as he never generated much in the offensive zone.
Like Erat, the Predators also had starting netminder Pekka Rinne between the pipes. Unlike Erat, Rinne was solid and showed no ill effects from missing three games with an injured knee. Rinne made several key stops when Calgary threatened.
With only five defenders, the Predators did a good job of keeping Calgary to the outside for a good part of the game. The Predators kept Calgary off the board in regulation and outshot the Flames 34-32.
The Predators were outshot 3-0 in the overtime period, and Rene Bourque got the game winner at 2:10 of the overtime period as he gathered in a Brendan Morrison shot in the low slot and beat Rinne. With the victory, Calgary has now won five straight contests in Nashville.
The Predators went 0-5 on the power play, mustering only nine shots for their effort. This, in my opinion, was the turning point of the game.
Head Coach Barry Trotz said after the game that the team did not have much "poise with the puck", and that was evident throughout the night. Passes were not sharp and decisions with the puck were not good. This prevented the Predators from establishing any consistent offensive flow.
The Predators were fortunate to get a point out of this contest, an effort that was definitely not their best. The top lines are going to have to gel and make good puck decisions.Offensive zone presence and pressure from the top six forwards has to improve for this team to get back on track.
Obviously, the concern is for the health of Suter. The loss of a steady, puck moving defenseman had a negative psychological effect on the team, but injuries are part of the game and this team has to show resilience in the face of the adversity that they are facing.
The value of a game like this is that it exposes the weaknesses that must be strengthened. It demonstrates clearly that Predator hockey is a formula for success, and failure to play their game will lead to more disappointment.
The character of this team will be tested. Two disappointing OT losses and mounting injuries will test the boys.
This is the time to rise to the occasion.
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