Stop Me If You've Heard This One: G7 Flames @ Blue Jackets Post-Game
by R O on Oct 13, 2009 9:21 PM PDT
Email
PrintStop me if you've heard this one: 20 guys walk into a bar. They decide to get into a game of beer pong with 20 other guys at the bar. Now the first 20 guys are supposed to be really, really good at beer pong, as if, you know, they're getting paid to do it or something. I know, ridiculous, right? They haven't been too hot at some of the other bars they've been to recently, so they promised a million of their closest friends that they'd do better at this one. So they start playing beer pong, and they come out pretty strong. But their best beer pong players are too busy hitting on the hot chicks across the table and pretty soon they're getting abused. Ping, pong, in the cup, bottoms up, and before you know it these 20 guys are drunk and have lost the game.
And those chicks that they were trying to impress? They went home with the winners!
...
Ha ha, what a joke! Just like that Flames game.
...
Scoring Chances
(there's a wonky problem with the EV/PP designations for the third period chances)
Breakdowns:
1st period
EV shots: 9-9
EV Corsi: +5 Columbus
2nd period
EV shots: 11-5 Columbus
EV Corsi: +11 Columbus
3rd period
EV shots: 8-5 Columbus
EV Corsi: +2 Columbus
Overall
EV shots: 28-19 Columbus
EV Corsi: +18 Columbus
There's nothing I could write in this space that hasn't been hashed and rehashed before. The Flames played like crap. The top line was horrible and Jokinen wasn't even on it for a while. They came out ok (I was following along during the first period on the FAN and TimeOnIce) but my impression is that the play was even. The last two periods... I'm kinda glad I missed them.
Discussion points:
- Great game by Kiprusoff. It was a wasted effort but 27/28 saves at EV is outstanding, and letting in a goal on a 5on3 is not a mark of shame.
- It's a bit of a burn to see Stralman and Huselius score goals against us. It might have been a mistake to let Huselius go but I think Stralman, well, it's splitting hairs between him and Kronwall and Johnson, and it's just plain bad luck (or bad karma) that he was the one to score the tying goal.
- Interesting stat of the evening: Brian McGratton was on the ice for 0 attempted shots for and 0 scoring chances for, but 6 attempted shots against and 2 scoring chances against. He was the only Flame to be on the ice for absolutely no good events. Oh, and zero fights - three other players carried the mail for him. What are we paying him for again?
- 4 minor penalties against (including a 5on3) vs. 1 minor penalty for - that's a bit rich, isn't it? Considering: a.) Stephen Walkom is a documented ignoramus; and b.) the game thread is sprinkled with complaints on officiating, and M&G usually does not engage in bitch-fests - well, I am inclined to think the officiating wasn't the greatest this game.
Oh well. Let's hope the Flames regroup for Thursday against the Canucks. Honestly priority #1 in that game for me is to win it, I don't care how bad we play as long as we get 2 points and Vancouver gets zero. But it'd be nice if they played well.
Feel free to discuss and vent and all that.
21 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The top line, aka whatever line Jarome Iginla is on, is beginning to look like it will be terrible because he’s on it.
It’s been easy to point the finger at Jokinen because of his own lousy play and his history, and people will take it easier on the Captain because of his past efforts, but Iginla infected two new line mates tonight. Whatever line he’s been on has created nothing. The Flames aren’t built to sustain long periods of ineptitude from their two top scoring threats, and yet here we are, facing the potential of exactly that. I’d like to think they’ll be better at home Friday, but that’s hope speaking instead of experience at this point.
i’m not sure it’s fair to suggest that iggy “infected” his new linemates, since a) they weren’t really given that much time together tonight, and b) lankgow hasn’t exactly been AWESOMENESS lately….
by walkinvisible on Oct 13, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree that Iggy has got to be better, there is absolutely no question. However, it’s a team game, the blame goes around the table. If the rest of the team was performing but Iggy wasn’t, it would be easy enough to say “Ok Iggy you’re playing like shit, its costing the team”, but lets face it, the entire team has played like shit for the most part, except maybe Kipper. Where is the “top D” we were promised in the offseason? It’s pretty much nonexistant. The Flames have allowed the second most goals in the league so far (only behind Toronto, no big shocker there), which should not be happening. Anyway, the point is, its an all around effort, the team as a whole isn’t performing, so I blame all of them, not just Iggy.
Stubbornness is in the Sutter gene I don’t care if were 7 Games in to this season these are professional athletes they should be in their rhythm and it the stats don’t lie.
Iginla with Jokinen doesn’t work they truly are the worst players on the Ice even when they should be the best how hard is it to see that and you think that Brent Sutter would notice this, I shouldn’t say that Iginla is the worst but his play has suffered most likely due to playing with Jokinen.
And as long as Darryl Sutter is running the show he will never admit when something doesn’t work out that he coveted Jokinen for the last five seasons or so and to find out that he isn’t working out that’s another thing. I really don’t want to be saying give it time, give it time when does the season officially click in for these guys?
Where the Lead is never safe, Ahead or Behind.
Total agreement.
*Actually I’m not sure if the gene is “stubborness” … or “I know everything and the rest of you are morons”.
I’m hoping Brent is different – but after all, as you said it is a “Sutter” gene. Even as someone on here pointed out recently … the statements to the media have become “boring” and don’t reveal anything whatsoever. The patronizing comments become offensive to those who are students of the game of hockey.
Seven games in is not much – but the point is that there are the same disturbing trends – that all of us armchair experts lol are pointing out … game in and game out.
Fans expect more when they look at the payroll and what these players are pulling in.
by Calgarian in SJ on Oct 14, 2009 12:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, not sure what’s going with the scoring chances designation. The second period ones are screwy (says CBJ’s PP opps were SH opps) and the third period Flames chances appear as PP chances. I submitted the inquiry right after the game ended, so my guess is there was NHL.com didn’t have it’s shit quite together.
Anyways, the totals are correct.
Pretty lame again?
Why do I get the feeling this is going to be a season long affliction?
Hold on…Stralman…Huselius…why does these names sound so familiar?
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
“why does” is actually better comedy…. ;)
by walkinvisible on Oct 14, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Stralman and Huselius aside, the problem is Iginla. Jarome himself isn’t the problem…his scoring is. The whole point of a franchise forward like him is that he makes everyone better. His scoring and scoring chances set the tone for the team and the Flames are just getting a zero from him in those areas. Just look at Rick Nash last night as a perfect example of what I’m saying. That guy was making things happen and on a scoring front he had chances and made an impact through them. Right now Jarome isn’t a threat, teams are taking it easy on him and he’s not making them pay for it. What does that say to all the other opponents. If Jarome’s game doesn’t pick up soon, Butter is going to start looking and sounding like Ron Wilson during post game scrums.
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
Is it really at all surprising that the Flames stunk again last night? For the last 2 seasons they’ve been doing the same thing; playing unmotivated, sloppy games, especially in the second game of back-to-backs. I would think, and call me batshit crazy if you want, but I would think that after getting embarassed by Chicago the previous night that the team would want to come out and have something to prove the next night, show that they aren’t just a deadbeat team with no passion, and walk all over a weaker team (and on paper the Jackets ARE a weaker team, lets face it), ie. play like they CAN and SHOULD. But you know, apparently I must be totally crazy for thinking that, because it never ever seems to actually happen with this team. It’s a question for the ages how a team loaded with as much talent as the Flames can come out and play like (if not worse) than a minor league team, and on a regular basis to boot.
i think they played a superior game to their normal G2 of a B2B. which isn’t saying much, of course…. i would think that a sleep-in this morning, watching some video, followed by a good ol’fashioned bag skate this afternoon and a proper teach/practice tomorrow might help A BIT v. vancouver. my guess is that the “basics/instincts” that are totally lacking in, for example, jokinen’s losing the puck at the offensive blueline with consistancy & dion’s absolute lack of urgency whilst defending from within the crease, will not be “fixed” by friday.
by walkinvisible on Oct 14, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
You know what would cure all a 60 minute complete game effort against the Canucks on Friday. Can anybody off the top of their head say when they saw the Flames put together that type of effort?
Where the Lead is never safe, Ahead or Behind.
I totally agree with you. With this core group I can’t think of a game recently…or at all, maybe outside of the playoffs, when all the big money earners were all flying. Kipper, Phaneuf, Iggy, Lanks, really going. I don’t have much hope we’ll see it with Jokinen (especially) and Jbo added in that mix. That really boggles my mind that it just doesn’t happen.
Well, I would say that this is the first game where Kipper was out-goaltended. Mason didn’t look like he was really tested that much but he was very very solid. Kipper played great as well, and I think was probably one of the only guys who responded to Sutter’s challenge to the team of “who will respond after the Chicago fiasco.” We are still allowing waaaay to many shots and chances against, not that I am telling anyone anything they don’t know already.
On a goaltending related note, I don’t know what the hell is in the water in Phoenix, but the Sutter’s need to drink some. Are you kidding me…. 25 sa/pg average with Bryzgalov in net and the two goalies sv% is .949 and .960? Sheesh. I know the Coyotes were allowing less difficult than average shots last year….. but that is amazing.
Of interest:
Game stats Kipper: 4-1-1
.920 sv% +: 2 of 6
sv% > opp. sv%: 5 of 6 (4 of 6 – sht/o wins)
<27 s/a: 0 of 6
>30 s/a: 5 of 6
>33 s/a: 4 of 6
Kipper technically got lucky in this game as well – two quick whistles eliminated two goals against which would have damaged the ol’ SV%.
I think we’ll see the goaltending cool off in PHX pretty soon here.
Lucky, schmucky. Plus, he’s our goalie…we are wanting him to be good and lucky right? We aren’t cheering against Kipper are we? The first whistle was correct anyway and the second, ok fair enough, he was lucky it blew early, but sometimes you win, and some you lose. Kipper still played great, as the Flames were dominated in shots against and chances against once again. I would even personally say Kipper outplayed Mason, but there is little statistical evidence to back that up, so I’m letting it slide, but I didn’t see Mason make a difficult save in the last two periods, except the one on Iginla – so his numbers were good, but the Flames didn’t make life difficult for him.
Sure, Phoenix numbers will come back to earth, but they still must have a good handle on things right now if both goalies are putting up better than best numbers.
Has nothing to do with “wanting”. I’m stating a fact: he had two pucks go by him that were called back on technicalities. He played pretty well otherwise, which I’m not taking away from him, but the score – and his stats – could have been uglier. Not that it would have made a difference to the outcome.
PHX looks like they have their sh*t together, as much as that’s possible for such a motly crew of players. Tippett is no joke. Still, I’m guessing we’ll see them go through a bad run here…probablysooner rather than later.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Flames Schedule
Last 5 Games
Anaheim
|
Sat 04/07 | W 5 - 2 |
|
Vancouver
|
Thu 04/05 | W 3 - 2 |
|
@
Vancouver
|
Sat 03/31 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
|
Colorado
|
Fri 03/30 | L 1 - 4 |
|
Los Angeles
|
Wed 03/28 | L 0 - 3 |
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Wednesday’s Three Stars: Devils fourth line steps up; Watch Prust dive
- Stephen Gionta leads Devils in Game 5 triumph over the New York Rangers
- Rangers, Devils back at MSG for pivotal Game 5; NHL 13 screenshots (Playoff Puck Previews)
- CBC announces ‘While the Men Watch Hockey Night,’ sets off backlash over sexism
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 Phoenix Coyotes
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Carter rescues Devils; New Jersey moves within 1 win of Cup finals with 5-3 win over Rangers
- Rangers' best game fails; Devils once again find holes in New York G Lundqvist in 5-3 victory
- Lundqvist struggles as Rangers lose Game 5, 5-3
- Devils-Rangers Sum
- Huberdeau leads Saint John to Memorial Cup semis
