St. Louis Game Time - Flames At Blues GameDay Storystream: Lose One Without The KipperWe're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2013-11-07T22:28:34-06:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/48394232013-11-07T22:28:34-06:002013-11-07T22:28:34-06:00Recap: Blues Extinguish Flames, 3-2
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<img alt="Moose got the call tonight, unfortunately we couldn't get him the SO. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Iu8yE43F9U2F_f2JoWmGReyO7v0=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22715087/187298165.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Moose got the call tonight, unfortunately we couldn't get him the SO. | Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Blues defeated the Calgary Flames in a 3-2 lackluster and gritty performance. </p>
<p>I have been out of the recap role for a game so lets just get right to it.
</p> <p>Tonight's game was one big ball of emotion and lack there of. The first period was dominated by the blue and yellow. They held the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Flames</a> to just a meager 1 shot during the entire first 20 minutes. The flames' penalty box door seemed to be on a swivel as it seemed they took penalty after penalty allowing for five St. Louis power plays. The Blues would capitalize on the first one, at 3:01 <span>Vladimir Tarasenko</span> put his first goal in nine games past Calgary's Reto Berra bringing the score 1-0.</p>
<p><span><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020238-109-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span>Maxim Lapierre</span> would add to the domination at 10:12 of the first after a tip in goal off of <span>Jordan Leopold</span> shot.</p>
<p><span><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020238-127-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></span></p>
<p>The Blues would carry the 2-0 lead into the second but would be on the penalty kill to start off the second.</p>
<p>The second period would start off rocky to say the least, for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">St. Louis Blues</a>. Where as the Flames took plenty of penalties and kept the box on a revolving door, the Blues would take their place resulting in three straight penalty kills in the second. The shift put new life in the legs of the Flames and gave them plenty of very good scoring chances. In between penalties the blues were able to get <span>Alexander Steen</span> back on top as sole League goal scorer, with his 14th. At 5:55 of the period, Steener poked a pretty nifty backhander past Berra to bring the Blues lead to 3-0.</p>
<p><span><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020238-315-h&site=blues" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></span></p>
<p>From there the blues seemed to sit back in the game and let the Flames gain some life resulting in two unanswered goals in the third period. Letting another 3 goal lead again to slip through their gloves. Had this been any other team tonight this could have been a very different result for the St. Louis Blues. Luckily they held the Flames to only getting those two goals. Holding onto these multiple goal leads has been a slippery slope this year and one that is going to come back and bite us in the ass more than once if they are not dealt with appropriately now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tonight savor the win that we almost lost at our own hands and raise a glass for me. The Blues are back at it Saturday night against Cry Baby Syd and the Pens!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Those are my thoughts, what are yours? Let me know in the comments!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020238-X-h&site=blues" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=479627&site=blues" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></span></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5079548/recap-blues-extinguish-flames-3-2RealBadRobot2013-11-07T18:30:02-06:002013-11-07T18:30:02-06:00Flames At Blues GameDay Thread
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<img alt="UNLEASH THE, UH, REAVES>" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TGWXe7KGFWXp8Lys-iJ3K-rCOnU=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22683427/167512657.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>UNLEASH THE, UH, REAVES> | Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>Brian Elliott's eying his 100th career win against the team that he has the third best GAA against. Will the Blues help him out tonight?</p> <p>Brian Elliott's doing ok this year. After a wonky start in Winnipeg that saw more pucks go in from sheer force of will than decent shooting, he's regained the focus that made him so fun to watch last April. His last outing was a shutout against the <a href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Florida Panthers</a>; tonight he'd like to get another against a team that he's traditionally owned.</p>
<p>He has a 1.73 GAA in six starts against the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Calgary Flames</a>, which is his third lowest against any team (numero uno are the <a href="https://www.silversevensens.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Senators</a>, with a 1.00 GAA). He only needs one more win for 100 in his NHL career. And the Calgary Flames are all over the map when it comes to consistency.</p>
<p>Tonight seems pretty primed for a win.</p>
<p>This is your Game Day Thread. Let's get ready for a five-game homestand. Let's keep our fingers crossed Steen keeps rolling. Let's remember that Stewart's had a really decent three-game stretch before going all Matt Holliday Hater on him.</p>
<p>Let's do this. Let's Go <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a>.</p>
<h4>More from St. Louis Game Time:</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075398/lighting-the-lamp-cal-gary-flames?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Lighting The Lamp: Cal-Gary Flames</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075382/flames-at-blues-gameday-storystream-lose-one-without-the-kipper?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Flames At Blues GameDay Storystream: Lose One Without The Kipper</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075342/flames-at-blues-morning-open-thread-let-the-five-game-homestand?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Flames At Blues Morning Open Thread: Let The Five-Game Homestand COMMENCE.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075772/thursday-links-its-cal-vs-gary?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thursday Links - It's Cal vs. Gary</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/6/5071698/beyond-checkerdome-episode-16-tangents-r-us?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Beyond Checkerdome Episode 16: Tangents R Us</a></li>
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https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5077726/gamethread-for-calgary-flames-at-st-louis-blues-nov-7-2013hildymac2013-11-07T14:00:04-06:002013-11-07T14:00:04-06:00Flames At Blues Game Preview: Calgary Flame-Outs
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GwRHIEOW2UmQmq3XjdsbSEoHsvo=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22680987/167512660.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>After an impressive start to the season, the Calgary Flames are still looking for an identity. Will their young new goaltender be able to give it to them?</p> <p><span>Reto Berra</span> has a couple of connections to St. Louis. First, his nickname's Yogi, though I doubt the Finnish goalie's been anywhere near The Hill. Second, he was the prospect sent to Calgary last season in the deal for Jay Bouwmeester. The former 2006 4th rounder impressed in his overtime victory against the <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Blackhawks</a>, then didn't have a good outing at all against the <a href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Wild</a>.</p>
<p>What Berra are we getting tonight? I think a better questions would be what <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Flames</a> team are we getting tonight? They're coached by former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs" class="sbn-auto-link">Stanley Cup</a> winner Bob Hartley, so it's not like the brains of the operation doesn't know what he's doing. The team has a point to prove, since everyone universally chose them at the start of the season to be cellar dwellars - and that pissed them off. They've cooled considerably after their hot start, but they're still only one game under .500. The Pacific Division as a whole is outrageously difficult, so being second to last there isn't embarrassing.</p>
<p>Either the Flames are going to be tough or they'll be disorganized. The <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> will have to play a tad more sharply than they did in their 3-2 shootout win over the <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Canadiens</a> Tuesday night. Turnovers, shoving opposing players into Jaroslav Halak's head, lack of defensive awareness... many things made that game a good bit harder for the Blues than it should have been.</p>
<p><span>Alexander Steen</span> is still leading the league with 13 goals, and nine of them have come in his last eight games. Eight games ties a career best point streak - let's see if he can make it nine. Why not?</p>
<p><span>Brian Elliott</span> will be between the pipes for the Blues. He's allowed a whopping one goal in his last two games against the Flames.</p>
<p>The last four times the Blues've had five game homestands, they've won at least four of those five. A win tonight'd be a nice way to get off to a decent start on this one. It'd be helpful if Ryan Reaves snagged a point. The Blues are 11-4-0 when he's on the scoresheet, and the last time they played Calgary he got not just one but two goals.</p>
<h4>More from St. Louis Game Time:</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075398/lighting-the-lamp-cal-gary-flames?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Lighting The Lamp: Cal-Gary Flames</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075382/flames-at-blues-gameday-storystream-lose-one-without-the-kipper?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Flames At Blues GameDay Storystream: Lose One Without The Kipper</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075342/flames-at-blues-morning-open-thread-let-the-five-game-homestand?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Flames At Blues Morning Open Thread: Let The Five-Game Homestand COMMENCE.</a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/6/5071698/beyond-checkerdome-episode-16-tangents-r-us?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Beyond Checkerdome Episode 16: Tangents R Us</a></li>
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https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5077474/flames-at-blues-game-preview-calgary-flame-outshildymac2013-11-07T11:00:16-06:002013-11-07T11:00:16-06:00Lighting The Lamp: Cal-Gary Flames
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<img alt="2011 Calgary Flames Winter Classic jersey of Captain Jerome Iginla with McFarlane figure of Doug Gilmour" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/afPUAMxwKeezR78qX3nd4kblwRs=/0x106:1100x839/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22639063/cal-gary_memorabilia_002.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>2011 Calgary Flames Winter Classic jersey of Captain Jerome Iginla with McFarlane figure of Doug Gilmour | Rick Ackerman</figcaption>
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<p>You might recognize the "Lighting the Lamp" feature from the Game Time paper. Rick Ackerman has been nice enough to send over his column for the website. "Lighting the Lamp" will be featured every home game day.</p> <p>Lighting The Lamp, with Rick Ackerman</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The visiting team with the flaming "C" on their jerseys finished 13th in the West last season, 13 points out of the playoffs. The Hockey News and many other self-styled experts picked them to finish dead last in the conference this season. However, the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> will not take them lightly tonight as Cal-gary is riding a high-octane offense towards respectability so far this season, showing it by defeating the <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blackhawks</a> in Chicago just last Sunday behind the stellar play of rookie goaltender <span>Reto Berra</span>, first drafted by the Blues in the fourth round, 106th overall, of the 2006 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NHL Entry Draft</a>. Pundits chortled with amusement when the relatively unknown 26 year old Swiss native was included in the deal with the Blues for defenseman <span>Jay Bouwmeester</span>, along with defenseman <span>Mark Cundari</span> and a first round draft choice, highly touted winger Emile Poirier. Berra stopped 42 of 44 shots against the mighty Hawks and easily proved, at least for now, that Flames GM Jay Feaster knew what he was doing when he made that trade.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Calgary is averaging almost three goals a game, led by veteran center <span>Jiri Hudler</span> (team-leading 10 assists, 15 points), rookie center <span>Sean Monahan</span> (club-high seven goals and 11 points) and winger <span>Mike Cammalleri</span> (7 points in 7 games). <span>Lee Stempniak</span>, a former Blue currently down with a broken foot, has also contributed at almost a point a game level. A decent transition game has been established by defensemen <span>Dennis Wideman</span>, who wore the Bluenote for two seasons (9 assists), injured <span>Mark Giordano</span> (7 assists in 8 games), and yet another former Blue, <span>Kris Russell</span> (6 assists), who scored the overtime game-winner against Chicago. Calgary's biggest problem is a porous team defense, ranked second to last in the league, giving up almost three and a half goals per game. Neither goaltender <span>Joey MacDonald</span> nor <span>Karri Ramo</span> has provided much help, both with goals against averages over three and poor save percentages. If Berra is indeed the real deal, then the Flames might be able to stay ahead of the hapless <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Edmonton Oilers</a> in the Pacific Conference.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The Flames franchise entered the NHL as an expansion team in 1972. Of course, the club started in Georgia, joining the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, who had previously been purchased and relocated from St. Louis in 1968 by owner Tom Cousins. The Flames made the playoffs six times in eight seasons in Atlanta, yet only won two postseason games during that time. Poor attendance, rising operating costs and the lack of a television contract, along with other failed business ventures by Cousins led to his potential bankruptcy, forcing the sale of the franchise in 1980 to Calgary, where Canadian entrepreneur Nelson Skalbania fronted a group of local businessmen, who paid a then-record sale price of US$16M for the franchise.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The city of Calgary immediately embraced their new hockey team. The 7,000 seat Stampede Corral filled to capacity every night as over 10,000 full-and half-season ticket packages were sold. Led by center Kent Nilsson's 49 goals and 131 points, the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Calgary Flames</a> qualified for the playoffs and won the first two postseason series over Chicago and Philadelphia before bowing out to the Minnesota North <a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Stars</a>. Longtime General Manager Cliff Fletcher, a former scout and assistant GM with the Blues, assembled a strong club over the next decade, winning two Smythe Division titles, two Western Conference championships, two President's Trophies, and one <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs" class="sbn-auto-link">Stanley Cup</a>. Fletcher had the foresight to add many U.S. college players, including Gary Suter and Mike Eaves (Wisconsin), Joel Otto (Bemidji St.), Neil Sheehy (Harvard), Charlie Bourgeois (U. of Moncton), Carey Wilson (Dartmouth), Brett Hull (U. of Minn.-Duluth) and Gino Cavallini (Bowling Green). Fletcher was also one of the first NHL general managers to draft European/Russian talent, including Swedish star Hakan Loob and Finnish defenseman Kari Eloranta, as well as Russian sniper Sergei Makarov. Fletcher also made excellent use of the amateur draft, choosing players such as goaltender Mike Vernon, defensemen Al MacInnis and Paul Reinhart, and forwards Dan Quinn, Jim Peplinski, <span>Gary Roberts</span>, Joe Nieuwendyk and Theoren Fleury. Trades brought in stars including Lanny McDonald, Doug Risebrough, Doug Gilmour, Joe Mullen, Rob Ramage and Rick Wamsley.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ultimate success finally came in 1989 when the Flames won the President's Trophy with a franchise record 117 points,<span> </span>followed by division and conference championships. Vancouver, Los Angeles and Chicago all fell to Calgary in the playoffs, leading to a Finals series against Patrick Roy and powerful Montreal. The Flames won the series in six games, defeating the <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Canadiens</a> at the Forum, the only time in NHL history an opposing team won the Cup on Montreal's home ice. Al Macinnis won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable player, the first defenseman to lead the NHL in postseason scoring with 31 points. On a side note, Flames' co-owner Sonia Scurfield became the first (and to date, only) Canadian woman to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <span> St. Louis is Cal-gary's third stop on a four game road trip in a week, so it behooves the Blues to come out fast and hard, hitting bodies, keeping the puck in the offensive zone and putting shots on net in order to wear down the Flames defense and build an early lead. A good start to this five game home-stand will help ease the strain of playing a game an average of every two days the rest of the month into December.</span></p>
<h4>More from St. Louis Game Time:</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/6/5071698/beyond-checkerdome-episode-16-tangents-r-us?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Beyond Checkerdome Episode 16: Tangents R Us</a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/5/5067808/life-in-the-fast-lane-blues-at-montreal-canadiens-preview?utm_source=stlouisgametime&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Life In The Fast Lane: Blues At Montreal Canadiens Preview</a></li>
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https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075398/lighting-the-lamp-cal-gary-flameshildymac2013-11-07T08:00:09-06:002013-11-07T08:00:09-06:00Flames At Blues Morning Open Thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fhS809ropmP6_-iLiS5dCvbFHiw=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22638475/129020858.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues are in for another long homestand, and they get to open it up with the Calgary Flames.</p> <p>There couldn't be a more favorable opponent for the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> to start their latest homestand with. Why? The <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Flames</a> have only won one of their last five games against the Blues, and St. Louis is on a three-game home winning streak against them. Brian Elliott's had some pretty solid success against Calgary, and will be starting tonight.</p>
<p>How much success is "solid success?" Try one goal on 43 shots in his last two games against them.</p>
<p>The Flames may be starting the goaltender that the Blues sent up in exchange for Jay Bouwmeester. Reto Berra won his NHL debut, a 3-2 overtime win against the <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Blackhawks</a>. He looked impressive and sharp - less a prospect than a young starter. He's benefiting by getting playing time with Calgary, because with the Blues' log-jam at goal, he wasn't going to fit.</p>
<p>Of course, he was in the net for all five Minnesota goals against on November 5th, sooo... who knows.</p>
<p>Check back later on for a Lighting the Lamp, a game preview, a GDT, and a recap. Perhaps a .gif or two of plays you just saw a few minutes prior if the plays are somethin' special.</p>
<p>Speaking of somethin' special, Alexander Steen's up to 13 goals. Keep it going.</p>
<h4>More from St. Louis Game Time:</h4>
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https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/11/7/5075342/flames-at-blues-morning-open-thread-let-the-five-game-homestandhildymac