Flames @ Hawks Gamethread
by Kent Wilson on Oct 12, 2009 4:30 PM PDT
334 comments
Calgary Flames at Chicago Blackhawks, Oct 12, 2009 5:00 PM PDT
There are lot of ill tidings heading into this one. The Hawks man-handled the Flames at the best of times last year and Calgary isn't exactly at their best right now. Iginla was as impotent against Chicago last season as he has been in general thus far and the fist line has apparently lost it's only moderately functioning part in David Moss. In addition, one of the bright spots of the first week or so in the 4th line has been broken up by the injury, moving Sjostrom to the first unit and inserting Brian McGrattan in his place.
On top of all that, Dustin Boyd has been kicked back down to the 4th line. Now, it's been frustrating to watch Boyd recently given his inability to finish scoring chances, but at least the kid has been getting them. Nystrom is probably a capable replacement on the 3rd unit, but it's a bad omen for Boyd who is fighting for a place in this organization with every breath.
The Hawks have been hot and cold in terms of results, but their underlying numbers thus far are stellar. Their entire roster besides Dustin Byfuglien in in the black in terms of corsi and they currently boast one of the most impressive shot differentials in the league (+14.8). Safe to say, it's unlikely the depth players will carry the Flames through this one - if the Stars get killed again, Calgary's going to lose their second in a row.
As such, expect lots of swearing in the comments.
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So, Sarich is healthy enough to play. Anyone know why we traded for Johnson now? Is it just a case of a guy Sutter liked for a long time and he acquired him when he was available.
On that note, here’s the Flames defensive depth right now:
Bouwmeester
Regehr
Phaneuf
Giordano
Sarich
Pardy
Kronwall
Johnson
Palin
Pelech
Seabrook
Negrin
Aulie
Cole
Splinter
Optimas Prime
Jesus Christ
Jack the Ripper
Juggernaut
Clark Kent
Batman
Kitchen Sink
And Elvis, because those people that have him seen alive in or around the Kalamazoo Burger King can’t all be nuts, can they?
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Johnson was really good before his injury last year, Sutter clearly saw something he liked when the bidding price for Johnson was low. People probably read way too much into it.
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, no kidding. That guy is the new Jose Theodore… he’s been looking to get back to the habs days for a while now.
There’s been lots of talk that Niemi would be the guy by mid-season, but with all they’ve put into the team, they’ll be looking at Biron, no? You wouldn’t just roll the dice with a rookie, I’d think.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions
3 goals in 53 seconds
Franchise record is 3 in 36 seconds, set Feb 10, 1993 when we demolished San Jose 13-1. Knew it wasn’t the record tonight, but wanted to see how close we got.
Are you people fucking kdding me? I’m at work, can’t even so much as listen to the damn game and it’s 3-0?
http://atdhe.net/9377/watch-calgary-flames-vs-chicago-blackhawks
Try this out man
Home of the NHL's Best Defense.
Corporate firewall, Colin. Thanks anyway.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny how quickly things changed
I just read through our Game Thread at SCH, and then had to come over here to see what was said.
This is easily the best start the Flames have ever had, that I know of.
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 5:39 PM PDT reply actions
I’m sure they smoked some team in the 80’s worse, but goals back then were like shooting fish in a barrel.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t want to be the dick to say I told you so, but we’re having a good game so I figure you’ll be easy on me. I did say in the preview:
“Key Player: All of ’em. There is no one player on the Flames, any longer, who can win this game by themselves. Not Kipper, not Iggy, not anyone. This is the first game this season in my mind where we will need the full group, or very close to it going.”
I think as long as the defense keeps things stable now…. this should qualify as just that.
You did call 2-1 Flames, Lawrence. Pessimist :P
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm enjoying this one tonight.
Considering I severely dislike the Blackhawks.
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
I want to wake up tomorrow morning and watch Sportscentre and see that the Flames win 14-0!!
That would be heavenly.
Home of the NHL's Best Defense.
by CofRed on Oct 12, 2009 5:42 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
While the boucnes have certainly been kind to Calgary, I dont have the Hawks down for a scoring chance yet in this game. That’s good,
Well as long as this game doesn’t end up like the debacle against the Preds last November.
Home of the NHL's Best Defense.
Just spell it Bufflin. It’s what I do.
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
You had all the right letters in there, Lawrence. Few extra ones, too, but that’s no biggie.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Ironic that Jokinen scores on a dump in from the blueline, but not on a break-away.
Flames outchance the Hawks 8-3 by my count in the first.
It’s Edmonton’s turn to be up 5-0 now…
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 6:07 PM PDT reply actions
We did it faster though!
In other team-I-hate news….Toronto looks poised to lose their 5th straight.
-Colin
Truclence isn’t a plan. Crappy defencemen and Vesa Toskala aren’t, either.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Truculence. Spelling isn’t in my plan, at least not tonight.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Perfect period for McGratton. On his first shift he makes his presence known, breaks the puck out well and gets a good forecheck in. Next shift, gets in early on a forecheck causing Boyd to receive a gift in the slot. Comes out at the end of the period and makes sure he’s noticed by Byfug…
You couldn’t ask for a better job.
Good period by the first line. Freddy did a good job.
They’re in nothing-to-lose mode.
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Announcer: “Flames with a lot of active sticks knocking pucks out of the lanes”
It’s good to hear/see results of the coaching details early in the season.
Not a good time to start sitting in your own zone boys
Please no more Chelsea Dagger.
Home of the NHL's Best Defense.
Last year’s playoff’s ruined that song for me. I thought they’d finally retire it this season, but no…
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Fighting is not going to erase the fact your team tanked a 5 goal lead, Jarome.
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
This game is going to be legendary…for all the wrong reasons.
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 6:38 PM PDT reply actions
I’m just wondering…when you’re up by 5…can’t you ask your dmen to buckle down and win the game for you. Is it really that hard? I know the opposing team is going to throw the kitchen sink at you but come on…do it like soccer play two forwards and 3 d-men.
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
Keep in mind the Flames are playing an excellent hockey team here guys. There was bound to be some push back.
That said, the Flames have to find a way to be better once they get ahead. They did the same thing versus the Canucks in the first game of the season too.
Don’t really need a Corsi stat to tell us that 75% of that period was in our own zone. That was an ugly period.
I do, buddy. I’m at work aand can’t even listen ;-)
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Message received, though. Doesn’t sound like they took the skateguards off for the second.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Thought Gio would have learned last year to be a bit more aware. Good thing he didn’t get hurt on that play. He had no idea the hit was coming.
Phaneuff on valium these days?
Giordano pretty much had to make the play. Not sure what he could have done there – Brouwer is like 6’3" and 225 pounds. He also had no stick, so he threw both hands into the check. Sometimes, in hockey, you have to take a pounding.
I’m very aware of being forced to take a pounding. The problem with that play was that Gio took a look and saw him coming but didn’t brace himself at all. Watch it again. He left himself in a very vulnerable spot and he’s lucky to be ok.
Ladies and gentlemen, your Calgary Flames.
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 7:13 PM PDT reply actions
The shots are 36 to 19 too. Same old song and dance.
by Dave from OpenIcehits on Oct 12, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions
How has McGrattan been so far?
That guy’s awesome.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 12, 2009 7:29 PM PDT reply actions
He’s had like 4 shifts I think. Good forecheck on the first one led to a goal for. hasn’t been visible since.
One assist in just over five minutes played? This guy can produce. Extrapolate that!
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 12, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Should I be hoping for a loss at this point?
Would a win just diminish the urgency to figure out and fix the problems afflicting this team?
Go Hawks Go, I guess:(
do you know the answer?
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
wish I had the Versus feed...DirecTV has screwed hockey fans
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
What’s the deal with that? They can’t come to an agreement, so DirecTV refuses to carry the network?
Sounds like TSN2 on Rogers for most of last year. Hopefully they get it resolved faster than that one was resolved.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 12, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, it’s in Chicago. My bad. They’re the ones with terrible musical taste, apparently.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 12, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions
That’s just a good song. We play it in Ottawa, too.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 12, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I think this is the biggest gap in Ice Time between Bouwmeester and Phaneuf.
Where the Lead is never safe, Ahead or Behind.
Who’s been your better d-man this year, of those two?
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 12, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
As much as I don’t like them, the Hawks earned this one point. Flames would of never had the gusto to come back from a 5-0 deficit. They’d of mailed it in.
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
I'm not ambivalent
Only six games in, and Brent hasn’t had enough time to make his point for real yet.
It was hard to expect anything different.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 12, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Seriously, that's for the best.
There’s just no way any player in that dressing room can take a positive out of it.
Puck goes right through Kipper. I’m not going to blame him, but I will point out that he hasn’t been all that elite the last couple of games.
He’s a problem, but not the problem. Oh, and Rob Kerr can quit polishing that “structure” turd any time now.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions
This can’t be the crossroads of are season six games in can it.
Where the Lead is never safe, Ahead or Behind.
Maybe tomorrow I will give the Hawks some credit...
but right now, I am putting the entire blame for this debacle on the Flames flat out quitting at 5-0.
And, like the last three years or so, we’re going to get to hear a whole lot of empty talk from a group of losers trying to explain how they need to be better.
Yeah, no real departure from previous games. I’ve published the scoring chances at FHF. The tables don’t fit comepletely, but all the pertinent Flames info is visible. I’ll try to figure out how to get everything in frame at some point.
I am so glad this was not on TV
I just flipped though the gamethread… UGH! Remember the 04 Flames? Remember how they used to play entire games? What happened man… hard work and hard nosed… I miss those fun times.
Now? Now it is just sad trying to cheer for these lumps most nights. GEE-ZUS!
He’s just so surprisingly bad with the puck. He can hang onto it on that signature swoop through the neutral zone, but loses it as soon as he crosses the blue line. But as a centreman, I think they expect him to carry it.
he was the goat on the OT goal, no doubt.
by walkinvisible on Oct 12, 2009 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s so nice that I didn’t even get to follow this game. I got home just in time to hear the last 5 minutes, and the words “in the Calgary zone” were uttered with regular and frighteningly predictable frequency.
Did Iginal get named the second star? Really?
To whom? Us, sure, but we’re already there. Mike Milbury, Don Cherry, those other opinion leaders? I doubt it. That goes for D. Sutter as well. Sigh.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions
How was the refereeing? I heard there was a big penalty not called on Chicago. But how about in general?
Sounds like a lot of goalie bumping, but I only watched the last couple of minutes after I got home.
Unrelated, R O, I saved the Corsi screenshots from after each period. You want ’em for the postgame?
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Lets just say it was a typical game where Kerry Fraser or Steve Kozari were involved. Fraser always seems to screw one team, while Kozari always screws Canuck rivals. Can’t really say much more without making it seem like i am blaming the officials for this embarrassment.
Well I am looking at the game log and Chicago had 4 PPs to Calgary’s 1. Now some of that has to Calgary playing so much in its own zone (intuitively I would think they are correlated though I’ve never researched it).
But no team averaged that kind of PP differential last year. So when I see something like thatit usually means “bad luck” which in this league means “bad luck that the awful officiating rolled snake eyes for you”.
From about the 17 minute mark of the first period, uh, sure ;-) On balance it ended up how one might have expected, but the journey was certainly different.
Anyway:
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Just thought I’d give the night the finish it deserved.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Didn’t get a chance to see the game but going through the game thread I am glad I didn’t. I wonder if Sutter will try and find a dance partner to get rid of Jokinen though I don’t know who would want him. At least he is cheap ;)
Shame Pierre McGuire didn’t get one of those GM jobs he was allegedly in contention for. He loves the Big Body Presence™ that Jokinen provides, so he might have been a likely sucker trade partner.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 12, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions
i’ve said it once, i’ll say it a million times. there is no way in hell darryl sutter trades jokinen until the deadline at the earliest. i will, of course, be the happiest gal on the planet if i’m wrong on this one.
by walkinvisible on Oct 13, 2009 6:35 AM PDT up reply actions
i know that you know my stance: darryl will never admit fault on this one. i only put in the trade deadline “clause” above because if the team isn’t a playoff contender, then perhaps darryl will try to get a return on him.
by walkinvisible on Oct 13, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
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