On the night that saw former flame Rene Bourque return to saddledome ice, the Calgary Flames would defeat the recently struggling Montreal Canadiens by a score of 5-4 on home ice Tuesday night in Calgary. Although the outcome was different, much of the Flames recent struggles would again become a cause for concern as they struggled all night to retain multiple goal leads against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

PHOTO CREDIT - CalgaryFlames.com

Calgary - March 7, 2012 - On the night that saw former flame Rene Bourque return to saddledome ice, the Calgary Flames would defeat the recently struggling Montreal Canadiens by a score of 5-4 on home ice Tuesday night in Calgary. Although the outcome was different, much of the Flames recent struggles would again become a cause for concern as they struggled all night to retain multiple goal leads against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

A fast start would yet again be in the cards for Calgary on this night as they would jump out to a quick 2-0 lead by the midway mark of the first period. David Moss would score just his second goal of the season, and first since returning from injury after he redirected in a point shot from Mark Giordano at the 10:06 mark of the 1st. Just minutes later the captain would get in on the action as he would skate off of the sideboards and drive hard to the net in vintage Jarome Iginla fashion to net his 26th goal of the season to put the home team up by a pair. On a more concerning note, yet another injury would strike the already crippled forward group of the Calgary Flames when Tim Jackman would suffer an upper body injury after being hit by Alexei Emelin in the neutral zone. A late holding penalty to Jarome Iginla would cost the Flames when Tomas Plekanec would score 13th goal of the season with just three seconds remaining in the frame after an unfortunate bounce led to a breakdown defensively.

An encouraging sign however was the play of recently called up youngster Greg Nemisz who alongside his Abbotsford counterparts did a great job creating energy throughout the limited amount of ice time they were given as a trio. Max Pacioretty’s goal to tie the game at two would signify the ninth game in a row in which the Flames have failed to hold a lead, but this time around Calgary was able to pull together as a team to regain control of the game. Just four minutes after the game tying goal, Mark Giordano would score his 6th goal of the season after he was allowed to absolutely hammer home a slap shot from the tops of the circles in the offensive zone. Needless to say Montreal goaltender Carey Price had no chance on the play. Jarome Iginla would tally his second of the game, and 27th of the season late in the second after he converted on a wrap around to extend the lead to 4-2 after forty minutes of play.

A rather large mistake by Carey Price would prove costly in the early stages of the third period when the goaltender would misplay the puck and land it one the stick of Curtis Glencross before he would score his fifth goal in five games to add insurance and all but end the game. At least you would think that a third period lead of 5-2 would be a safe bet, but not with this Calgary team and they way they have played as of late. A an unfortunate bounce, and a missed goaltender interference call by the officials would be all the Canadiens would need to make this game interesting as a string of unlucky plays had the visitors right back in contention after back to back goals.

However that is as close as the Habs would get on this night as for the first time in thirteen games the Calgary Flames would manage to out shoot their opponent. A rough night for the goaltenders ultimately led to the unpredictability and sloppiness of the game on this night, but I am sure the Flames will take the points and move on to Friday as they get set to welcome the Winnipeg Jets to town for the first time in over a decade.

- Mike Cammalleri missed the game due to an upper body injury he suffered against the Stars. It is unknown at this time how much time he is expected to miss.

- Lance Bouma also missed tonight’s action with an upper body injury; his status will be updated shortly.

- Blake Comeau missed his second straight game with a shoulder injury; he is currently listed as day to day and will be reevaluated this week.

- Calgary has recalled forwards Greg Nemisz, Krys Kolanos and Guillame Desbiens from there affiliate team in Abbotsford.

- The Flames currently have eight injured players, and will have to call up another player from Abbotsford should Tim Jackman miss an extended period of time

1. Curtis Glencross (1 Goal, 2 Assists, +2)
2. Jarome Iginla (2 Goals, 4 Shots, +1)
3. Max Pacioretty (2 Goals, 4 Shots, -1)