Friday, April 18, 2008

Opportunity will only knock so many times...


The Calgary Flames continued to rattle shots off of posts and sweep them wide of open nets on Thursday night, once again mounting a challenge but coming up short. The San Jose Sharks, well recovered now it seems from their Game three nightmares, continued to take key games away from the Flames, leaving them with but one more chance to prolong their season.

Thursday night the Sharks withstood yet another Calgary come back, not losing their nerve nor their lead as they hung on for a 4-3 victory in front of a loud and content hometown crowd.

Not that there weren’t a few edgy moments for the Teal fanatics, as the Flames led once again by their reliable captain Jarome Iginla seemed destined to pick up a tying goal before time expired.

Through this series both Iginla and Alex Tanguay have had countless opportunities to score stymied by a pole, a cross bar or a deflection wide. Thursday was no exception as the Sharks avoided an early hole when Tanguay couldn’t convert a break away scoring chance in the first period.

Jonathon Cheechoo continued with his domination of the Flames in this series, perhaps public enemy number one in the Flames dressing room, Cheechoo accounted for two third period goals that pushed the Sharks into the lead, while his close fore checking and hard hitting physical play took its toll on a tiring Flames offence.

The Sharks victory gives them a three games to two lead in the series and an opportunity to put the Flames away on Sunday. They’re growing confidence may prove to be a might opponent for the Flames, who have squandered a few too many chances to bring yet another early exit to a Sharks season.

Those missed scoring chances may come home to roost shortly, fate only shines her light in short bursts it seems, the Flames may have had that spotlight to themselves only to let the Sharks crowd back in, now looking forward to taking it completely by Sunday night.


Globe and Mail-- Sharks squeeze by Flames
San Jose Mercury News-- Series brimming with intensity
San Francisco Chroncile-- ADVANTAGE SHARKS
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NHL.com-- Stats Pack

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