Untitled Document

Calgary Flames Vs. B.C. Cougars

Calgary Flames		B.C. Cougars
2nd Overall Canadian Conference	105 Points	4th Overall Canadian Conference	101 Points
Winning record of 3-1-1 vs Cougars during season		Losing record of 2-3-0 vs Flames during season

Top Point Getters in Round 1	Top Point Getters in Round 1
Vaclav Prospal - 3 G - 8 A - 11 - +11	R.J. Umberger - 2 G - 6 A - 8 - +5
Martin St. Louis - 3 G - 7 A - 10 P - +/-0	Mason Raymon - 5 G - 2 A - 7 P - +6
Sheldon Souray - 2 G - 6 A - 8 P - -2	Henrik Sedin - 2 G - 3 A - 5 P - -1

Series Preview

There are certain teams that for whatever reason, just struggle to live up to the hype. The Calgary Flames are one of these teams come the playoffs. Facing a Maroons team with certain deficiencies, the Flames still needed 7 games to beat them. And it has created a full fledge goalie controversy in Cowtown as starter Pekka Rinne was replaced by Manny Legace, who finished the Maroons off. Against the defending Champions, the Flames will have to have stability in net. As always with Calgary, if the will is there, the skill should be enough to propel them to a win. 2 old guys in Prospal and St. Louis dominated round 1 with 11 and 10 points each. Young kids like Stamkos and Oshie also did quite well with 7 points. The power play was the best in round 1. In all, Calgary should be favored to win this series, but you never know…………..

3 KEY FACTORS:

Going up against Cam Ward, it is a must that Calgary gets solid goaltending.
The Cougars have the experience of winning a championship and beat the Flames a year ago. How can the Flames overcome those factors?
Paging Nicklas Lidstrom…paging Nicklas Lidstrom…

Some teams are just made for the post-season. The B.C. Cougars appear to be one of them. They once again took care of their provincial rivals from Vancouver in round 1 and now face the team they beat in the Conference Finals a year ago. The makeups of both teams are very similar, but the Cougars are actually better on paper. Top center Henrik Sedin is back from injury and could have a monster series. The Cougars are capable of getting balanced scoring from a deep attack – in round 1, R.J. Umberger lead them in points. 8 Cougars scored at least 2 goals. That is depth, my friends. Add in an excellent playoff goalie in Cam Ward, a strong penalty kill, a deep and strong group of blueliners and that little something special this team seems to have and it creates an explosive playoff mix.

The Cougars power play was disappointing in round 1, running at a mediocre 15%. Chances are they will have to be more productive on the PP to win this series.
Henrik Sedin. Against a loaded Calgary center line, he must play an excellent series for B.C. to win.
Zdeno Chara and must dominate this series. He certainly did not do so in round 1.

Prediction: The Cougars have the experience. The Flames have more weapons. The Flames are at home. The better goaltender resides in the Cougars camp. The intangibles seem to be on the Cougars side. Cougars in 6.