2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Series – Calgary Flames defeat the Nashville Predators 1-0 after a tough battle in overtime
The 75th game of the NHL season took place at the Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators. The game saw the Nashville Predators up against the Calgary Flames this past Tuesday. The game began 7:07 local time with around 16,000 fans
present to witness the game. Both teams were playing in their 5th game of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere
thus far. The match was very exciting but no goals were seen during the regulation time but the Calgary Flames eventually won the match 1-0 after scoring in overtime.
1st Period
When the first period started, the home team got off to a flying a start when they fired shots at the opposing goal. But to their disappointment none found the back of the net.
The first half of the period saw the Nashville Predators maintain a non-porous defence that cut off any dangerous play. The back line also played the support role for players up front. The puck was passed to players in open positions by the defence. All
the Nashville Predators players were determined on not letting the Calgary Flames side settle. Dominating the possession, the Nashville Predators got a scoring opportunity with just the goal keeper to beat, but the shot went wide. However, they wasted another
chance of the same sort in the 8th minute but this time it was due to some excellent goal keeping by the opposing goal keeper.
When the period went into the 11th minute of the period, the Calgary Flames changed their strategy and looked to attack. The attacking mentality they adopted helped them to gain momentum and confidence that resulted in the Nashville Predators
defence suffering. The away team started to dominate the game and started to fire shots regular. But the story for Calgary Flames was no different as they lacked the finishing, pretty much like their opponents.
The period ended with the game deadlocked at 0-0. Both teams proved inseparable due to the fact that along with the same score, they also had same number of goal attempts i.e. 12.
2nd Period
During the 2nd period, the Calgary Flames looked to carry on from where they left off in the 1st period. They dominated the play and dictated the proceeding for the opening few minute firing potential goal scoring shots.
But there was shift in momentum once again, as the Nashville Predators started to come with good plays too. They kept possession, waited for open spaces and then passed the puck. There was an amazing display of ice hockey witnessed. The only thing that the
game lacked was production of goals.
The Nashville Predators was able to develop in a very strong defending team in the period, as they kept the Calgary Flames in their half for most of the period. However, both teams worked but there weren’t any goals as the 2nd period also ended
goalless. During the 2nd period, the Calgary Flames fired 6 early shots with no success and the Nashville Predators couldn’t score either out of the 12 goal attempts.
3rd Period
The 3rd period was a little more open as both teams came to field with attacking mentality. It looked as if they were tired of the defensive strategy. As a result, both teams came up with some splendid pieces of play but still no goals were seen.
The period ended with the score still deadlocked and the game went into overtime. During the overtime, finally it was the Calgary Flames who managed to score and win the game. The goal was scored in the 3rd minute through a flick from 14 feet
by Rene Bourque.
At the end, Rene Bourque said, "It was kind of a broken play," Bourque said. "I think (Morrison) just tried to get it on net. It bounced in the air, hit my shoulder, went down to the ice, and I don't think the goalie knew where it was. It got
to my stick, and that is when I shot it in the net."
"I've been practicing pretty well the last few days, and I only missed three games, so it was not a huge break.
I was a little more nervous than usual, but it was still a good game for me."
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