CENOVUS GAME STORY

Under the Scope: Oilers vs. Flames

An in-depth look at Saturday's 5-3 loss to Calgary

Saturday, 03.12.2011 / 10:06 PM / Cenovus Game Story
By Travis Knee  - edmontonoilers.com


It was the Calgary Flames that came out on the right side of this Battle of Alberta. The Flames would come from behind twice in this one en route to a 5-3 win.

Despite a quick 2-0 lead and electric crowd at Rexall Place, The Oilers failed to protect the puck in their own zone and committed some costly turnovers that led to the loss.

All you need to know and more as we go Under the Scope:

The Oilers would take a lead 5:27 into the third period on a goal by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. However, the lead would last less then a minute as the Flames would answer right back. Derek Smith would take a pass from Jarome Iginla and go upstairs to tie the game 3-3. The Flames would get the go-ahead goal a few mintues later en route to the win.
45 The faceoff winning percentage for the Oilers overall in tonight's game. They would win 29 of 64 draws.
1 The first point for Darcy Hordichuk in an Oilers uniform tonight.
2 The number of times the Oilers led in tonight's game. It is also the score in the Battle of Alberta this season, Calgary 2-0.
12 The number of total blocked shots for the Oilers in tonight's game. It wasen't enough.
 


Jarome Iginla
G A P +/- Shots
0 3 3 +3 3


Sam Gagner
G A P +/- Shots
1 0 1 +1 5



Rene Bourque
G A P +/- Shots
1 1 2 +2 4



 
Flames
Mikka Kiprusoff
SA SV GA TOI SV%
29 26 3 60:00 .897
OILERS
Nikolai Khabibulin
SA SV GA TOI SV%
31 27 4 58:20 .871



 
 Flames
  Jay Bouwmeester- D

29:50 - 0 PTS, +1 rating
OILERS
  Tom Gilbert- D

24:40 - 0 PTS, +1 rating

The monkey is finally off the back of Sam Gagner. The Oilers forward notched his first goal of the season tonight at the three-minute mark of the first period. The goal was part of a fast start for Edmonton which saw them jump out to a quick 2-0 lead. Unfortunately they could not hold on, losing 5-3.

Taking his share of heat for a slow start in Calgary this season, Jarome Iginla was at his best for the Battle of Alberta. The Flames captain led the way for Calgary with three assists including setting up both the tying and game winning goals in the third period.

Jay Bouwmeester might not have shown up on the scoresheet, but he certainly had his part in the Flames win tonight. Bouwmeester would log almost 30 minutes of ice-time tonight, more then any other player from either team. He would make some big defensive plays down the stretch and finish the game +1.

Oilers forward Magnus Paajarvi's first NHL game, goal and assist all came against the Calgary Flames. It happened in a game back on October 7, 2010, a 4-0 Edmonton win. So far this season Passjarvi is in a slump having yet to score a goal.
 


"We got a two-goal lead and thought it was going to be easy, but its never easy. We've got to find a way to rectify that."

-- Sam Gagner on the Oilers loss tonight against the Calgary Flames.


Wednesday, December 7 vs. Carolina
  7:30pm MDT (TSN / 630 CHED)

The Oilers will get a few days off before getting a visit from the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night. It will mark the fifth straight game at home for the Oilers and will be the first meeting of the year between these two teams. The game can be seen live on TSN.


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