Martin Biron’s solid goaltending leads New York Rangers past Calgary Flames
Goaltending is often the difference in many National Hockey League games. A solid effort from the netminder can often lead teams to a win, and that’s what happened as the New York Rangers
edged the visiting Calgary Flames by a score of 2-1 on Monday 22 November.
How it happened
After a scoreless first period, the home team got on the board at 2:08 of the second period. A pass from Dan Girardi allowed Brian Boyle to beat Miikka Kiprusoff of the Flames for his
ninth goal of the season. Jarome Iginla then replied for Calgary at 5:16, tipping in a Jay Bouwmeester shot to tie the game at one goal apiece. Girardi would get a goal of his own at 12:41, redirecting a Derek Stepan slap shot to put the Bluershirts up 2-1.
Girardi’s second goal of the 2010-11 campaign was the game-winner for the Rangers, as no further goals were scored by either team in the third period. Biron stood tall in the Rangers’
net, turning aside 31 of 32 shots for a save percentage of .969. Kiprisoff surrendered two goals and 24 shots, and finished the game with a .917 save percentage.
What they’re saying
Biron earned his third straight start due to the recent struggles of Rangers starter Henrik Lundqvist. He felt very much at home in the net, and he attributes his recent successes to some
changes he made to his fitness regimen.
“I feel really comfortable,” Biron told reporters after the game. “It’s about getting the work in at practice. A few weeks ago, we started the bike program and that gets me working after
the games that I don’t play. It gets my legs and lungs going. It keeps me performing at my peak.”
Girardi said that aside from trying to win the game, the Blueshirts had another objective – to try and contain Iginla as much possible. The Flames’ captain scored Calgary’s only goal,
and has been performing well lately.
“He has been really hot as of late and he scored tonight,” the defenceman said of Iginla. “It is all about taking time and space away. Just being hard on him all night is just the way
you have to play him. He is a great player, so it is going to be hard to keep him off the score sheet, but Marty bailed us out when he had to.”
The Rangers will go after their 13th win of the season when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday 24 November. Calgary will face the New Jersey Devils on the same day.
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