So much for showing a renewed commitment to defense. It's not happening yet for the Flames, and it's costing them in a big way.

Only two games into the season, the Flames have been torched for 11 goals. The inability to keep the puck out of the net can't solely be pinned on goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff.

"We're giving up a lot of point-blank things, bang-bang (plays) in front, not giving Kipper a lot of chances," captain Jarome Iginla said. "We'll be good for a while and then give up a few more bang-bang plays, which are real tough on goalies. We've got to tighten that up."

Rest assured the Flames will be looking to shore up that part of their game in time for their Tuesday's home game against the Colorado Avalanche.

It's not so much surrendering too many shots on goal as much as it is high quality scoring chances. Odd-man rushes and wide-open chances from the slot have led to several of those goals against.

As easy as it is to blame Kiprusoff -- who has a well-documented history of slow starts -- his teammates are not doing a good enough job of keeping the pressure off him.

CANUCKS 5, FLAMES 4 (OT): Four of the key offseason additions chipped in. In the end, though, it wasn't enough for the Flames to rebound from their season-opening debacle and gain a measure of revenge against their Northwest Division rivals.

Andre Roy, Todd Bertuzzi, Rene Bourque and Michael Cammalleri all scored for the Flames, but they blew a two-goal lead midway through and then a third-period edge before falling in extra time on Pavol Demitra's winner.

Vancouver beat the Flames 6-0 two nights earlier in the season opener for both clubs.

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