Post Game Report

CALGARY, AB - The Flames have lost three games in a row for the first time this season, with their biggest fan from the West Coast looking on from Section 211.

In what's become an annual pilgrimage in recent years, Steve and Jim Ireland took a flight here from Victoria for the purposes of watching some NHL hockey, and visiting with uncle/brother Don Ireland and family.  The 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night marks the first time since 1993 the home team has lost with these two loyal followers in the stands at the Saddledome.

Thursday's matchup held particular intrigue for Father Jim, being a Blackhawks fan growing up -- and also a booster of the 2008-09 version of this young, fast-skating club.  His allegiances were somewhat torn, unlike the lifelong Flames nerd sitting to his left.

The game opened in shocking fashion, much like the 2008 playoff game vs. San Jose (Game 3) also attended by the Irelands.  A funny bounce off a Chicago forward crashing the net lead to a goal review in the game's first minute.  On replay, the early score stood up to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.  "#%&@#*?!," Ireland Jr. was quoted as saying.

Todd Bertuzzi's signing with the Flames last summer had many fans shaking their heads.  His rather lazy holding penalty in the first period last night did nothing to endear him any further, but he more than made up for it by scoring a breakaway deke to tie the game 1-1 right after stepping out of the box.  The ovation was particularly loud in the section where young Tag Bertuzzi was celebrating his birthday with his hockey team, as shown on the Big Screen.

The jury is still out on Big Bert -- he's producing points, and unquestionably has great hands and instincts.  But his tendency to float without the puck remains his biggest drawback, often leaving him behind the play.  "I still like the signing, his offence is certainly worth what they're paying him" Ireland says defiantly.

Chicago went up 2-1 on a pretty marker by one of their many young standouts Andrew Ladd, who would later be named the game's first star.  Calgary's Dion Phaneuf responded with a move around the Hawks goal, setting himself up for a high hard wrister that eluded a screened Nikolai Khabibulin.  The game was tied 2-2 at the first intermission.  Little did the Irelands know they wouldn't be feeling the heat of the Ball of Flame, marking each home goal at the Saddledome, any more that evening.

The Blackhawks were far from perfect, but they were good enough to trump the rather uninspired effort of the Flames.  The visitors built up a 4-2 lead, and did enough things right to hold off a handful of Calgary power plays in the third period.  With an empty netter, the Hawks took their two points out of the 'Dome by a 5-2 score.  It's only the sixth time the Flames have lost at home in regulation time this season.  The result also completes a 4-0 season sweep of the Flames by the Blackhawks.

"I kind of let the team down tonight," Ireland told a group of puzzled reporters in the post game media scrums.  "I packed my new Flames boxers, but left them in my suitcase.  These Flames socks I'm wearing are mismatched -- both leftys.  This red jersey was probably the wrong choice over the white.  And I don't think I was pulling my weight at the concession stand either -- not a single snack tonight.

"I'd really like to apologize to my fellow Flames fans!" Ireland shouted as he was dragged out of the locker room by Calgary Police constables.  "We'll cook the Ducks on Saturday, YOU'LL SEE!"