Flames lose to Blackhawks - Sinking Like a Sunset
by Kent Wilson on Jan 22, 2010 6:46 AM PST
32 comments
The Flames were clearly motivated to redeem themselves after the humiliation in San Jose. They charged out of the gate in the first period, frequently hemming the Hawks in their own zone and hitting everything that moved. Nary a Chicago player on the ice could skate five feet without having a Calgary player immediately in his face. Stars like Jarome Iginla and Robyn Regehr controlled the pace of the game, at times completely overpowering the opposition.
Or....not. After a lot of fiery talk about wanting to "turn things around" and "get back on the horse" the Flames came back home and (tentatively) laid another egg in front of a fairly anxious group of fans. The first period featured a lot of nothing in particular. The home team wasn't physical or frenetic and they spent most of the time in their own zone. Wash, rinse, repeat. They generated all of 20 shots on the evening, and that was with them chasing for most of the contest. Jarome Iginla, as is his custom against this team, got his head positively bashed in at even-strength. Perhaps the only non-non-factor up front was Olli Jokinen, and that's primarily because he was a $5M player playing against third liners. Also - I don't know whats happened to Glencross recently, but he looks like half the player he was to start the season. I know his circumstances have changed quite drastically, but...
Not much more to say at this point. The total lack of offense, in terms of volume of shots/chances and volume of actual goals, is depressingly familiar. The line combinations, already resembling a random grab-bag of NHLers, became even more ridiculous when Nigel Dawes went down with injury in the first period. Already featuring the likes of Eric Nystrom and Jamie Lundmark in their top 9, the Flames now face the unsavory possibility of having to promote one of Sjostrom (who was the lottery winner last night), Boyd or Prust.
Things are getting pretty ugly, folks. The Flames sank to 9th in the conference last night and one begins to wonder if a lone trade is enough to fix what's broken here. Granted, the bounces are not on the Flames side currently, but the truth of the matter is this team hasn't been good enough in the offensive zone since game 1. I can't imagine where the Flames would be in the standings had they not led the league in SH% for a few precious weeks.
Feel free to vent in the comments.
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This loss was way worse than 9-1 to San Jose. The SJ game was awful, but it was so bad that it was laughable, and most every team has those occasionally and, you know, I thought it might change something. Now? Resignation, which is way way harder.
I’m somewhat removed from the Calgary media, living in Vancouver, which is both a blessing and a curse, because calls demanding that Sutter trade Iginla make my heart hurt, but I want someone to do or say something, other than more of what we’ve been hearing for the past week(s? months?).
by SarahM on Jan 22, 2010 7:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of removed from Calgary media- the most Calgary has been mentioned round here was when the Bruins traded Chuck Kobasew away (I live in Boston). Still, this means my main source of news is blogs, not MSM. And while I want things to change, I don’t have to deal with knee jerk reaction trade proposals, like shipping Iggy out of town.
The way I see it, this team is just not competetive. It’s time to sell what assets we can for what draft picks we can get. Aside from Bourque, the “top” offensive players are no longer such. Jokinen, Iginla, and Langkow are not what they used to be. I’d say keep Iggy because of what he means to Calgary, but it’s time to get some compensation from our non-producing players.
by ArikJames on Jan 22, 2010 7:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The day Iggy is no longer a Flame is the day I am no longer a Flames fan.
On a positive note:
-Kipper played great.
-Phaneuf may have been the best d-man on the ice, at least by my eye.
-We play the Blues next, so we could actually win that game!
And that’s all I could think of.
Go Flames Go
by Justin Azevedo on Jan 22, 2010 7:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
The mood is getting fairly ugly in town. Even the FAN960 crew, which is basically an arm of the team’s PR office, is having a hard time putting a smiley face on things. For the first time since he took over, there is a lot of criticism raining down on Darryl Sutter.
The Flames look to me like a fringe play-off club. The bounces will decide their fate. Pucks might start going in again like they did in Oct, which would move them back into the picture. If their fortunes don’t turn, however, or if they suffer a couple more injuries up front, they’re done.
by Kent Wilson on Jan 22, 2010 7:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I hear all these trade rumours going around, and not many of them actually contain what we need: someone who can play top line minutes and put up top line points, even if he is only around for a couple of years. I mean, who honestly thinks we are going to get the Leafs 1st round pick and Bergeron for Phaneuf? Seriously? That may be the dumbest trade rumour of all time.
Go Flames Go
by Justin Azevedo on Jan 22, 2010 7:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
As well they should. Frankly, with how much talk there was about “accountability” in the off-season I think there needs to be some at the management level. I saw a lot of people blame the Coaching staff and Players but for some reason the guy who hires them didn’t seem to get his share. Not saying Sutter should be fired or anything but I think the well of 2004 playoff run goodwill is starting to run dry.
by Parallex on Jan 22, 2010 9:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Kent, do you think it would make more sense to eat the season, play out our potential 8th place finish and then simply let go of the dead weight (Jokinen) at the end of the season, pick up a LEGITIMATE first/second line hockey player, or do you think a trade now is necessary?
Honestly, I like the makeup of this team and I think if you took out Jokinen and put in Cammalleri and Lombardi you’d have a nice little team here. I think the Flames are that close. That being said my choice would be to ride out the season as is.
by therealdeal on Jan 22, 2010 8:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
A trade sooner rather than later is necessary if the team is to increase it’s chances of making the play-offs – that’s something I assume Sutter will have to do for the sake of his job.
I think playing for the Cup, at least this year, is a total lost cause. Of course, it’ll depend on what the demanded return is. If the Flames can add a real player now, then they might as well do it. However, like you I think the real re-jigging can be done in the off-season.
by Kent Wilson on Jan 22, 2010 8:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
while i agree that something needs to change, i also think that it’s the worst possible time for daz to make a trade. the other gms aren’t idiots (well, mostly —you know my thoughts on this) and the return for ANYTHING (except for gio, bourque, and kippy) right now will be slim pickings…. same goes for iginla: you can’t trade your franchise player in the midst of a crisis; he’s worthless. as for glenX: he’s hurt. lower body. it was the reason he didn’t skate in the superskills. sure is showing, though, no doubt about it.
by walkinvisible on Jan 22, 2010 12:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You know, with the way things have been going for the Flames lately, isn’t it only fitting that the GWG for Chicago was a lucky goal for them? And then Conroy’s potential tying goal hits the crossbar…One thing I’ve noticed on this streak is that the Flames have been hitting the iron a TON. When I’m sitting here listening to the game, I hear “oh great chance by the Flames ::DING:: Oh and its off the post!” pretty much at least once every game. I realize every team hits their share of iron but it seems like its happening way more often than usual for the Flames right now. Or maybe it just feels that way because the Flames are losing…not sure.
by Icedragon on Jan 22, 2010 9:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
At least it wasn’t Jokinen hitting the post again.
by jessnbrown on Jan 22, 2010 9:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The bounces are definitely going the other way right now.
by Kent Wilson on Jan 22, 2010 9:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the Flames have been missing a lot it seems. Just looking at the corsi stats quickly (aka, I may have this wrong) and they got 14 shots on goal while having 14 blocked and 12 missed. The Hawks, meanwhile, managed 24 shots on goal with 10 blocked and only 9 missed. Sure, it’s only 3 more missed shots, but it’s a full 10% (ok, 9.9%) less than the Flames when compared to the total.
That seems like a rather large difference. Yes, a large portion of that is just bad luck, but you have to wonder if something else is involved in that (individual skill, shot location, or even players just trying too hard to hit the corners).
by Avalain on Jan 22, 2010 10:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I am in Ottawa
so I have Sens fans (mainly) and some Habs and Leaf fans around me. They are mostly ignorant to how badly the Flames have been playing, so that eastern bias is raising it’s head I guess. Still, a few are taking note, and they are asking what happened to the Flames… why have they continued to labour in the middle of the pack?
Of all the posible contributing factors, you would not believe the amount of incredulous looks I get when i say Iginla has regressed and that Jokinen is just TERRIBLE. It is too bad Gms in the east are not that gullible, as the Flames could definitely move Jokinen for a decent package based on that level of intel.
Anyway, I almost want to see them continue to struggle, to nosedive, to finally get exposed despite some stellar tending from Kiprusoff, as I want to see some sort of change in direction, one away from overpaying defense while the offense is ignored, withering on the vine. Is it time to maybe start a rebuild? God I hope not… but every year that passes makes it seem more likely that the team is going to need to go that route to ever improve their chances in the Western Conference.
Who is better and more established than the Flames to keep a higher level of play/success?
-Chicago
-Detroit (injuries have killed ’em this year)
-Nashville
-San Jose
-Los Angeles
-Phoenix
-Anaheim (seriously, still better than the Flames right now)
-Vancouver
-Colorado (yeah, that one hurts)
Thank god the Flames are in the Northwest… Edmonton and Minny can stink it up with them right now. I could definitely see those teams all finishing ahead of the Flames now, and to be better in coming seasons. I hope I am wrong, but I am not very optimistic at this point.
by brisulph on Jan 22, 2010 9:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Honestly I don’t think Nashville or Phoenix are better or more established than the Flames. Phoenix has been propelled in huge part by the play of Bryzgalov. And Nashville…well, ok, they’ve got a decently balanced team, but if you look at their roster, they really don’t have too many stand out players. They’ve simply been more consistent (which I suppose is arguably an indication of being “better”, but I still don’t buy it). And the Avs…same reason as Phoenix, as well as considerable luck. LA is also a tad arguable, since they’ve really taken a bit of a dive lately as well. I will agree with Chicago, Detroit, San Jose, Anaheim (their poor season has been a huge surprise to me) and, hate to say, Vancouver, though I’m still not entirely convinced Henrik Sedin’s season isn’t a bit of a fluke (he’d never been even close to a PPG player in his career until this year).
by Icedragon on Jan 22, 2010 11:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Henrik Sedin
Think you’re a bit off on Sedin never been even close to a PPG player…
05/06 82 Games / 75 Points
06/07 82 games / 81 Points
07/08 82 Games / 76 Points
08/09 82 Games / 82 Points
by NuckFan on Jan 22, 2010 4:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey Flames fans, at least you guys are still playing meaningful games. I watched most of the game last night and while it was a tentative start, I thought the Flames were coming pretty hard at the end and were a tad unlucky not to tie it. A one-goal loss to the best team in the league this regular season shouldn’t be that much of a concern, other than it comes on the heels of that San Jose debacle and the series of tight losses that preceded it. So of course you are concerned, but there were some positive signs last night as I saw it. Looked like the last loss of a losing streak to me; team playing better but shit still happening. It’ll turn around soon.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Jan 22, 2010 9:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Umm, is this true?
@puckdaddy:
“It’s now been 31 games since the Flames won in regulation when the other team scores more than once. They have won a total of two games in that span when the other team scores two goals, both via shootout. Simply put, the Calgary Flames, without one good month (November) and Miikka Kiprusoff(notes), would be worse then the Edmonton Oilers right now. I keep hearing from the media that the Flames are struggling, they’re slumping, but 31 games? That’s nearly half the season, that’s not a slump!”
Don’t have the time over lunch to look that up to confirm, but… wow. Just, wow. (Sorry if this has already been discussed)
by Kish on Jan 22, 2010 10:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yes. Yes it is.
The Flames offense has been poor for a long while.
by Kent Wilson on Jan 22, 2010 10:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Um, how can anybody compare Calgary to Edmonton? Edmonton has been flat out terrible in most of their games. Sure the Flames have had issues scoring, but (for the most part) their defense has been getting better (other than, you know, in a game like the SJ stinker). And you can’t discount the month of November, using a blatant ‘what if’ is a sure way to fail any analysis miserably, so when this person says “without one good month”, it makes me completely discount their statement. Fact is, if the Flames weren’t going through this losing skid at the moment, most people (outside of us Flames fans of course) wouldn’t even be paying attention to something like this person is.
by Icedragon on Jan 22, 2010 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I figure it will take 8 wins out of the final 11 before the Olympic break to have a shot at the Division this is if the Avs and Canucks continue on there pace.
And it just a matter of a week the Nucks will start that long road trip (Thank You)
I want my Scoring please.
by CofRed on Jan 22, 2010 11:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Scoring chances are up. Nothing particularly surprising about them.
by Kent Wilson on Jan 22, 2010 4:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Leadership....where...where...where
Having been a Flames season ticket holder for six years I find myself asking where is the leadership on this team gone. Phaneuf is lost in space….the rest of the defencemen are trying to cover for him, ….the front office have taken the season off and what we hear are hollow promises from players about how “We need to try harder….We need to find a way to win”.
Well, perhaps there is a simple answer…..if the high priced help won’t play, sit them down for a few games….reach down into the Playfair camp and bring a few hungry players up who will in fact “Try Harder”.
Sorry……maybe I am just venting….but the record is speaking for itself…..Daryll, Brent, Curly, Larry, Moe……are you listening…?
M.B.
by M.B. on Jan 24, 2010 11:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
i’ll throw my two cents in on this:
1. with the salary cap system and the current CBA, you can’t just promote willy-nilly anymore.
2. we have no difference-makers on the farm. nobody you can easily insert into the top six and expect anything to change…. they may “spark things up” but the results will probably be similar.
3. bringing up a young’un might actually hurt their development while not doing much to aid the team.
i still maintain that they’ll bring backlund up anyways (especially now with dawes out). mostly because i’ve been dreaming about that guy like crazy these days. ;)
by walkinvisible on Jan 24, 2010 12:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Backlund’s a Centre, right? I don’t really see a place for him right now as we have 4/5 centres already. Unless you wanna chuck him on the wing in 3rd or 4th line capacities?
Go Flames Go
by Justin Azevedo on Jan 24, 2010 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Now, now WI…you can’t have your Backlund and eat your Giordano too.
That sounds kind of wrong.
-Colin
by Colin S on Jan 24, 2010 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
this is quite possibly the best quote ever.
by walkinvisible on Jan 24, 2010 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Leadership...where...where....where
So basically as I read your response….nothing can be done with the current situation. Is the only answer to trade then??? In which case….how deep do you reach into the fold? Is Phaneuf the big distraction…? Does he need to go..? I just see him continually turning over the puck….out of position…..shooting wildly wide…..drunk on youtube…..!!! When he was a junior he was barred from most of the bars in Red Deer. Now it looks like he is on the same road in Calgary. Hmmmm…..maybe Tortorella could pound some sense into his head…? Anyway….you allude to there not being anyone of substance on the farm….again….is this a leadership question…?
M.B.
by M.B. on Jan 24, 2010 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It's just not good news...
I too am a Flames fan living in Ontario.
I had the opportunity to be at the game against the Blackhawks. Honestly, I didn’t know what to make of the Flames at all. Other than Kipper, they seemed to just be going through the motions.
Someone said earlier he thought Phaneuf was the best Flame? I thought the complete opposite. There were a few occasions where he was on the ice physically, but certainly not mentally.
When I get to a Flames game I look forward to a lot of physical contact and some fast paced action. Frankly, I felt more like I was watching a Leafs game than a Flames game.
by Flames fan? on Jan 25, 2010 7:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
interesting that you should suggest that. ;)
by walkinvisible on Jan 25, 2010 9:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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