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Friday, October 29, 1999
Comeback kids
Flames workin' overtime
The thrill of victory.
Oh yeah, and Phil 'The Thrill' Housley.
Housley's powerplay heroics ignited a listless Flames team to a dramatic and impressive 4-3 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators, who were previously unbeaten at home.
Jeff Shantz's overtime goal gave the Flames their third win of the season, all in overtime, against an opponent few expected Calgary to challenge.
This was a team that just got beat by the expansion Atlanta Thrashers and lowly Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1 in each case.
But Housley was at his best after starting the season rarely demonstrating the high level of play of last year.
"I've just got the jump back," said Housley.
"You can't play borderline and make mistakes. You've just got to say 'I'm going to go for it.' We talked that if we are going to screw up, let's screw up trying.
"I've just been taking that attitude -- to go out there and go for it.
"That was a good club and you have to give our club credit."
Val Bure had a goal and three assists to complement Housley's goal and two assists.
But Shantz's winner was the biggest.
"We got down two goals again but battled back," said Shantz.
"This is a real big win for us. It kind of shows the character, the determination of a bunch of young guys who just work hard.
"Just call us the Cardiac Kids."
The key was the Flames eliminating the rash of first-period penalties that had plagued them on this six-game road trip.
Jason Wiemer's elbowing penalty was the only indiscretion, and that discipline allowed the Flames to play the Sens almost even in the first period.
Almost, because Andre Roy managed to give the Sens an early lead when he followed up his own shot that bounced off the skate of Wiemer, and backhanded a shot past goalie Grant Fuhr.
Calgary actually outshot the red-hot Sens 10-8 in the opening period.
But Ottawa ran its lead to 2-0 before the end of the first when Magnus Arvedson raced the length of the ice, firing a shot through the legs of Flames defenceman Steve Smith and past a screened Fuhr.
But just when you expected the Flames to fold, Housley led them back, thanks to a potent powerplay.
On the first powerplay opportunity, Housley made a diving tip pass to start the play out of the Calgary zone, sending Bure racing away into the Ottawa zone.
Housley raced to catch up and took a pass from Derek Morris, firing a low shot past goalie Ron Tugnutt.
Just 36 seconds later, after Ottawa took another minor penalty, Housley skated deep into the Sens zone, firing a perfect pass to Jeff Shantz at the top of the crease, which he easily deflected into the net.
Radek Bonk, a major surprise this season, added a late goal to restore the Sens' lead, racing to a breakaway after Shawn McEachern tipped a puck past Tommy Albelin.
But in the third period, it was Housley again who fired a pass to Bure, who sped into the Ottawa zone, firing a low shot and then using his speed to skate onto the rebound and send the game into overtime.
Shantz's heroics in overtime gives the Flames a chance to end this road trip at .500 with a win in Toronto tomorrow night.
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