Summary
1st Period
CGY Scott Hannan 2 (Paul Byron, Krystofer Kolanos) 9:12
EDM Jordan Eberle 26 (Sam Gagner, Corey Potter) 18:48
2nd Period
EDM Ales Hemsky 5 (Taylor Hall, Shawn Horcoff) 8:09
EDM Eric Belanger 3 (Ben Eager) 12:21
EDM Sam Gagner 14 (Jordan Eberle, Ryan Smyth) 12:51
EDM Ryan Smyth 17 (Sam Gagner, Jeff Petry) 18:56
3rd Period
EDM Taylor Hall 21 (PP) (Jordan Eberle, Ryan Whitney) 17:29
Penalty Summary
1st Period
11:35 Edmonton puck over glass - 2 min L. Smid
14:12 Calgary hooking - 2 min M. Giordano drawn by R. Smyth
2nd Period
None
3rd Period
15:37 Calgary holding - 2 min M. Giordano drawn by M. Paajarvi
Shots On Goal - Oilers 42 Flames 22
Game Notes:
Wow. Didn't see that one coming at all. Hockey is a strange game in that even when things are at their bleakest point, games like this can come around and startle you. I will say the nice thing about this years edition of the Oilers is they give us little gems like tonight that make you feel good about the direction they are going in. It's still a work in progress and the Flames looked tonight, like the Oilers have on more than a few occasion this season, but it was a convincing win nonetheless. For those thinking that all is well in Oilerville and Ales Hemsky and Sam Gagner should be retiring as Oilers, hold your horses. Let's keep things in perspective here. The Oilers still have a team to build and they need to continue with that plan. Size still needs to be addressed on forward and it should be addressed, hopefully soon. As for tonight, bask in the glory. It's been a long time since the Oilers have beaten the Flames and they did this one in style. They skated rings around the Flames tonight, and its what they need to do in order to be effective. Want to give kudos tonight to the pairing of Smid and Petry. They really played the game with a lot of composure tonight and locked things down in their own end. Petry is starting to take quantum leaps in his game where his overall game is really starting to come around. Bringing some offense, making plays on D, and composure with puck are starting to evolve for him. The last thing for Petry is for him to start getting power play time over the likes of Potter and Gilbert. Petry, at the end of it all, may be the 28 minute Dman the Oilers have been looking for.
Player of the Game:
- Sam Gagner. Everytime I want to write Sam Gagner off as trade bait, he comes up with a game like tonight. Damn that little man! When Gagner gets time and space, he is starting to be able to create plays. I have said in the past, I think Gagner and Eberle could become a lesser version of the Sedins, where vision and puck control could be a strong calling card for them. I've been blasted endlessly for the Oilers picking Sean Couturier with the first overall pick last year. Couturier would have been the better fit as Gagner could still be the 1st/2nd line center and then things can unfold from there. Gagner and RNH together aren't collectively defensive enough to make it work, therefore, one of them will likely have to leave, but thats just me.
Goat of the Game:
- Darcy Hordichuk. Tough one to pick tonight, when everyone played so darn well. It was Hordichuk's guy that got the point shot through for the only Flames' goal of the game. Good to see Hordichuk's physicality back in the lineup tonight after being a healthy scratch over the last several games.
Next Game - Thursday, February 23, 2012 vs. Flyers @ Rexall Place on Sportsnet West 7:30 PM MT.
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