Flames @ Canucks - clincher
by Kent Wilson on Apr 7, 2009 2:45 PM PDT
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PrintCalgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, Apr 7, 2009 7:00 PM PDT
Enemy Perspective: Nucks Misconduct
Of course it had to come to this. With apologies to the pitiful Oilers, Vancouver has been the Flames main rival for the better part of the decade. For that reason, many Flames fans doubtlessly perused the sched back in October and identified this evening's contest as a potential barn shaker. And, if so, they were right - despite leading by as many as 13 points just 8 weeks ago, Calgary's chance to clinch third seed in the conference comes down to the final game between the two teams tonight in GM place. It's appropriate and compelling as a narrative I suppose, but Im sure most of us (on either side of the rivalry) would have preferred a sewn up title before now.
Anyways, a Flames win clinches the division, but a loss complicates matters. The Canucks would equal the Flames in points, but still trail in terms of wins (the tie breaker), meaning: Calgary can still win the division even if they lose this evening. So there's that.
Notes:
- I hate the Canucks. They've employed consummate douchebags for years. Like Sharks teeth, when one leaves (Matt Cooke) another takes his place (Alex Burrows).
- The Flames stink on the second nights of B2B's. A win tonight would be quite the reversal of fortune.
- Vancouver isn't great at any one thing, but the combination of disparate parts makes for a competent whole. I think pretentious german intellectuals call that "gestalt": Their top two lines are fairly dangerous featuring Sedin(s)/Sundin/Kesler and Burrows, while the bottom half of the roster is exploitable. And Luongo is one of the best in the biz.
- The Canucks went through their own swoon earlier in the year, but have been one of the hottest teams in the league during the final quarter of the regular season. Luckily for the Flames, that hot streak recently came to an end versus the Oilers, Ducks and Avalanche.
- Calgary's PP is beyond terrible at this point. They've gone 0-31 during this enduring spate of ineptitude, which has featured a number of lengthy yet wasted 5on3 opportunities. The only time the Flames man advantage looks at all capable is when it doesn't feature the likes of Iginla, Jokinen or Bertuzzi. That said, even with obvious systemic faults cluttering the performance, surely the club is due for a freak bouncer to find the back of the net...?
- Im not sure of the match-ups tonight, but Im not looking forward to Jokinen facing either the Sedins or Kesler, even if he's again paired with Jarome. Dude has some major issues in the defensive end of the ice.
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I’m out in BC and the mood is electric! The Canucks fans are already proclaiming that the Cup is theirs, but they will have to win this one. Please Flames, Please score a PP goal and win this one! And fucking separate Igg, Olli and Bert for chrissakes, Keenan
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 7, 2009 2:59 PM PDT reply actions
Power Play / Vandermeer
Well I watched the game last night as promised, and the power play was atrocious. They need to get that together if they’re going to win tonight.
And I guess I should badmouth Jim Vandermeer more often… is it true that whenever he scores a goal, an angel gets her wings?
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
I’m already nervous. Has anyone been injured in the last 5 hours?
Your comment about Burrows and Cooke sum up my feelings almost perfectly. In fact, I believe I was using that precise word – “douchebag” – last night in preparation for tonight’s curse-fest.
And yes, I do need to prepare for these things. Mostly it involves hiding valuables and finding somewhere safe for my girlfriend to ride out the storm.
Jokinen misused?
I’m not going to argue he’s looked good by any stretch, but I think (and I said this at Hit the Post in comments too) that it’s possible Jokinen and Iginla just don’t match as players. You know an Iginla/Langkow combo could face any line and keep its head above water. So why not pair Jokey with some other guys and send ’em up against some weaklings?
To answer my own question, it’s because Sutter and Keenan acquired Jokinen SPECIFICALLY to play with Iginla, so they’re insisting on making it work out. Even if it means they’re screwing up everything, and that includes the PP.
We're on the same wave length...here's a comment of mine from last night (in response to why Jokinen isn't scoring in the West):
it could be people in the West not understanding fully what kind of player Jokinen is. In the East, he made hay with lots of ice time, favorably match-ups and tons of PP opportunity. He was never a heavy lifter. Unfortunately, people see the package of skills and the gawdy goal totals and assume "difference maker" so they try to play him in that role. The truth is, he’s always needed really favorably circumstances to produce and he’s almost always been outscored at ES anyways.
As for his recent struggles, part of it is the bad luck that’s infected the whole team and I’m guessing he’ll get back on the scoresheet eventually here. His performance tonight – especially in his own end – didn’t do much to convince me that he’s the hallowed "genuine first line center" that the club has been after for years.
Good to know it’ll be a battle of terrible PP’s tonight.
Oh how I wish Bertuzzi buries you guys by doing something stupid. But wait that’ll just put us on the PP. Damn it. Oh well, it was worth the cosmic effort in wishing.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
Out on the east coast for vacation – damn, those west coast games start late when you’re out here, no wonder noone in this time zone (TLP excepted) pays any attention to the Flames or Canucks! I have no video or audio for this one (limited wireless, for the next hour!), so I’ll just go to sleep assuming the inevitable and wake up to find out the truth…
…and no, I have no idea what is inevitable and what is the truth (other than the Canucks are satan’s witches’ half sisters).
I’m actually going to watch this game tonight while I put in some overtime. I predict the Flames bust out of their PP struggles in a big way by scoring 11 PP goals. Yes that’s right, I said it, 11 PP goals!
To make it realistic, you also have to allow for the 10 SH goals against.
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Simmer just claimed that “Kiprusoff has been the best Flames player game in, game out this season…”
Jesus Christ.
Spared Charlie
The Centre Ice people out here in Toronto have decided to provide the Vancouver feed only. So I get John Shorthouse and John Garrett, a considerable upgrade from Mr. Simmer. Who I’m sure is a really nice guy.
This also means ...
… I get Vancouver commercials. Apparently, It’s time to take back B.C. from Gordon Campbell’s Liberals. Is that true?
As an aside, this is getting me reminiscing about 2004, when I lived in Vancouver amongst the dumbest group of hockey fans in the country, and took about as much satisfaction in a hockey game ever when the Flames beat the Canucks in Game 7.
Dear Temujin: You’re alright buddy, not talking about you. Just the girls in the Cloutier jerseys and all the Bertuzzi supporters. Which accounts for about 17,950 of the 18,000 at GM Place each night, right?
We do that for a lot of teams. See how nice we’ve become?
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 7, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions
technical difficulties?
I can’t watch this on GameCenter due to “technical difficulties.” What am I missing? A good-looking power play?
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
i would like to see the shot clock. also ? if it’s outrageously lopsided and we don’t get a goal soon, they will…;
it seems to work that way this season… several minutes of Flames pressure is usually followed by a sudden defensive breakdown.
but he just lost his lid to show off his new haircut !!!
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Ha!
Shorthouse just said the Canucks have “tidied up their play in the defensive zone tonight.” I guess that they’ve given up more than 18 first-period shots in their previous games, then?
i think it’s interesting —-what loubardias was just saying (this is for duncan, mostly) is that keenan isn’t concentrating on matching lines, he’s just rotating. which, at this point in the season (and the lineup) makes perfect sense. this is the only positive result of the keenan line blender: everyone should be able to play with everyone within the system. ie: defense first.
Those Score commenters crack me up!
Best commercial entertainment ever. I especially like “Flames will win no worries” by Evan and “Go to the golf course?” by Kamsack Steve.
Flames have to keep going
If they can somehow keep up that pace, they’ll be in good shape… especially if they get lucky like the Canucks did. From what I could tell from the low-quality stream, Rypien’s shot bounced right back to him.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
i’m prettty sure that’s called crashing the net… calgary’s taking too many point shots with not enough traffic.
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
that puts him ahead in the lombo-jokinen scoring race, no ? with a better +/- ?
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
tune in next season to hitthepost to watch a running lombo/jokinen tally.
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Let me guess...
… did he set up Scottie Upshall? I miss that guy more and more every day.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Of course he did. Good for both of them. I wish them success.
The Flyers only made that deal so that they would not be in the position the Flames have now with the salary cap. They wanted to make room for Briere and allow Claude Giroux to stay with the team. Perfectly understandable, but it’s still a little hard to swallow when all we got in return was Daniel Carcillo.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
He wasn’t a prolific scorer, but each of his goals were important. Scottie was clutch – none more so than game 5 against the Habs in last year’s playoffs. Plus, he was fast and was effective in distracting opponents. Carcillo is a good pest, but he is not as fast and, as of now, can’t put the puck in the ocean.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
because you can “hear” the deadpan in my “voice”
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I just got in. How are things looking? I can hardly believe the shot differential is so high, is Luongo stealing the game that badly?
Naw, again, not Kipper’s fault. That’s all on Dion. He skates all over the ice chasing the puck, doesn’t get it, then tips it over Kipper’s shoulder. Seriously, it’s time to just scratch him.
shitty, lets just hope vancouver finally collapses after all these shots
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 7, 2009 8:32 PM PDT reply actions
yep. weather the early storm, then be patient.
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Charlie Simmer is just making up words now
“The Flames just have to stay couraged, they can’t get discouraged” Sheesh
Also, Luongo is ridiculous.
Leopold seems to be having an awful game. almost let burrows score one late
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 7, 2009 8:39 PM PDT reply actions
I'm just irate about Phaneuf
That play was just ridiculous for an NHL player, wrong on multiple levels at any time, let alone a game of this kind. He operates without fear of anything happening … on the ice for both goals against. I blame him.
We coudl’ve kept Lombardi if we didn’t trade for Leo?
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Cap space wise though. Total whimsy on my part. :)
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Although I think Kent pointed out that it doesn’t work.
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions
i don’t know either, but to my eye he’s one bad game away from eriksson/warrener status
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions
even if we play like we did in that epic detroit game, we still gotta beat luongo, not conks
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 7, 2009 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Mike Brophy update
• Willie Mitchell is amazing. He’s “a competitor”
• Flames’ power play is off “for whatever reason”.
• Luongo is going to “shut the door down if he keeps playing the way he has.”
I’m trying to console myself (like I have in parts of March) that we’re losing but playing well, so it’s ok. Right now that’s really hard.
Actually, I dont mind (as much) losing a game like this. It’s pure goaltending+dumb luck winning this game for Vancouver.
Oh I agree in that respect. It’s just frustrating because of the significance of the game. Why can’t we get a couple three-hoppers from centre ice or something? We played well enough to deserve it, that’s for damn sure.
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
If they play the same in the third, I think it will even out — I really do. Flames’ best period is the third.
I’m more concerned that they won’t play the same way. But if they do… it’ll be fun to watch at least.
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions
the flames best period is the third on a normal game. the second night of a back to back the first period is the best one. i hope that is not status quo tonight.
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions
And if they do ...
… Please let me know if Loubardias and/or Simmer declare it an “opportune time” for them to do it. As though that isn’t implied.
Don't worry Canucks fans
The Flames won’t score here, because Jokinen will be dispatched with Iginla and Bertuzzi.
“How do you like Todd Bertuzzi’s game?”
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
i KNOW you’re not asking me… cause it’s so obvious how much i dislike it.
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Garrett and Shorthouse making fun of Bertuzzi
Garrett: “How do you like Todd Bertuzzi’s game?”
Shorthouse: “Perimeter”
Garrett: “And Keenan has him on every power play”
Shorthouse: “He thinks he’s the one that can get through to him, and has for many years.”
the bottom line is that the vancouver announcers are less blind/smarter than the flames guys ?
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Rick Rypien...
He’s playing the wrong sport. He is not his cousin Mark.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
You know, one wonders after the 3rd goaltender interference whether or not misconducts should be handed out.
that last one was without fault. kippy ended up in ice that was empty a split second before
by walkinvisible on Apr 7, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I couldn’t agree more
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 7, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions
The PK looks decent, but it doesn’t matter. We need to score, and we’re going to do that on while killing penalties.
I don’t like to be pessimistic but I don’t see any success in the playoffs the way things have been going the last while.
-Colin
You think we’ll continue to hit posts in the playoffs?
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
That said, Luongo and the posts basically won this game for Vancouver. If there’s a more glaring example of average tending versus elite tending, it was tonight.
You’re not talking about Luongo vs. Kipper in this game specifically, right — just the idea that a goalie can steal a game in general? Just saying I think Kipper’s been fine tonight.
Those posts are totally out of Luongo’s control. Basically this game should be tied.
I hate that
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, this isn't just a bad luck game
The 0-for-6 on the power play really hurts. And I blame Keenan entirely for this right now. He isn’t trying ANYTHING.
It’s been an abomination for many games now. That said, the club got a ton of quality chances for a change and they couldn’t bury them.
They need to execute on that 5 on 3 though. There’s almost no excuse now (as far as the regular season goes).
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Just about to say.
That said, whose shoes would you rather be in? Perhaps I am biased but I’d rather be in Calgary’s shoes, given their circumstances they massively, massively outplayed the Canucks. Not even close. It’s as if only Luongo showed up tonight for Vancouver.
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
That's just frustrating
If I had to bet, neither team is going far in the playoffs. But I need to just get some rest and try to forget this ever happened. Most frustrating game of the season.
i watched the sportsnet pacific game, john garrett spend the entire third period picking bertuzzi apart, questioned keenans sanity for playing him on the power play, was dissing bert’s effort, passes, lack of intensity, losing puck battles. good to see somebody else other than blog readers see how much of an anchor he has become
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 7, 2009 9:39 PM PDT reply actions
Lemme guess… Bert with 4+ minutes of PP time? Gawd if they just slotted Glencross or Moss with Iggy and Langkow on the PP…
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Iggy, Lankgow, Cammalleri
That’s your PP unit. Jokinen is welcome on the second group with Moss and anyone but Bertuzzi.
Who’s the screen? Moss on the first PP will produce results, I would bet money on it.
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions
burtal.. er brutal. even regehr, sarich and even gio wouldnt have done anything in this game. luongo won it, cant question the flames effort offensively, except the terrible perimeter play on the PP. Fuck my life, i hope bert gets injured next game
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 7, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Wasted a great effort by Iggy too.
It’s such a goddamn shame that this team, which is so good throughout, is infected with the likes of Bertuzzi and Jokinen. It’s inexcusable because, by the numbers, by the “saw him good”, these guys are just plain bad. There is no reason, rational or irrational, why they are getting so much ice time.
That’s only if it’s “down the middle”, which only explains Jokinen.
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions
oh man. tomorrow is gonna be a rough day in victoria haha. Gonna get chewed alive by nuck fans. Have a good night everyone. AT least the oil are eliminated and they will have nothing to play for.
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 7, 2009 9:45 PM PDT reply actions
I have no experience with Nucks fans except for one guy I know who’s actually a nice enough guy (other than cheering for Vancouver). How are they in general? I want to say that they’re like every fan base, mostly good with some douchebags… but you never know…
oh my god. they are awful. by far the cockiest fans ever. Seriously, i was listening to the sports radio the other day, and the callers were not only talking about burrows MAKING the olympic team, but WHOS FUCKING LINE HE SHOULD BE ON. The are insufferable. By far my most hated team, their fans make it so easy to despise them
by Dustin Timberlake on Apr 7, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
To be fair, I’d find it hard to cheer for Vancouver. Luongo and the Sedins as the face of your franchise?
Hey now, I resemble that remark
There are an awful lot of shit-ass Canuck fans who haven’t got a clue. Go to a game at GM Place, though, and the place is like a morgue.
So Quiet.
But full value to the Canucks for the win tonight. Luongo made some great saves, but that’s exactly what he gets paid to do. The Sedins were virtually invisible until 3 minutes remained in the game, so whoever the Flames checking line is did a good job there. Sundin/Kesler/Demitra had some chances too, but it was the defence and tertiary scoring that did it.
Rick Rypien loves playing the Flames, btw.
Luongo put on a one-man show tonight, and had a bit of help from his posts. But let’s not kid ourselves, Flames dominated the possession game tonight. Four times out of seven that game goes to the Flames.
On the Flames side, they gave up few shots but some high quality chances. Our defense was porous but the aggressive forecheck masked it.
Part of what made this game so goddamn frustrating is that we lost by 3. We got scored on 4 fucking times. When Detroit got shutout by NYI, it was only 2-0 and they directed something like 54 shots on net.
One thing I kept noticing was that we were absolute dynamite in the offensive zone, but it was panic time in the D-zone maybe one in every two shifts. Anyone else notice this? The team definitely misses Regehr and Sarich.
Bourque for sure, but he’s been out so long that to lament his loss right now is, well, that ship has sailed. But Regehr and Sarich… goddamn fluke injuries with the worst possible timing.
by R O on Apr 7, 2009 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions
One good thing about being a Flames fan on the east coast…I went to bed early (actually, just at a “normal” time) and saved myself the frustration caused by Keenan’s love for Bert and OJ.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but looks like the keys to a successful playoff include: pulling the odd PP goal out of their asses; Reggie’s, Sarich’s & Bourque’s health; Bert’s health (or, more particularly, the lack thereof); keeping Iggy and OJ apart; and playing a team with a goalie that Kipper can beat. Oh-oh.
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