Flames @ Lightning Gamethread
by Kent Wilson on Feb 6, 2010 3:54 PM PST
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PrintCalgary Flames at Tampa Bay Lightning, Feb 6, 2010 4:00 PM PST
With the Red Wings falling to the Kings this afternoon, another Flames victory would put them 4 points up on 9th place Detroit and in a tie with the Colorado Avalanche for second in the division. The Canucks won again, but, really, the NW division crown is probably not in the cards anymore. Not unless something happens to Luongo in the last quarter of the season that is.
Other stuff to watch for:
- The Lightning are a very middling team at ES. No regular skater has a positive corsi rate and they regularly feed their bottom-enders to the wolves so their big guns have a better chance to score. As Bob notes, they're only really deadly on the PP.
- Speaking of which, Cory Sarich is positioned to be the scapegoat for this contest. The proud owner of the Flames worst penalties taken and drawn ratio has been a disaster recently. With him potentially facing the likes of St.Louis, Lecavalier or Downie at ES, another couple of trips to the box are rather probable.
- Although the need for more firepower up front has taken a backseat recently, Alex Tanguay may still remain on the Flames radar as a deadline rental. He had a rotten start to the season, but has turned things around a bit recently (although word is he's not very popular with Rick Tocchet).
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cant watch the game on CBC they’re showing the leafs sens game, anybody have the link to a CBC feed i cant find it on the website
nevermind, http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/Live_Streaming/Live_Stream:_Hockey_Night_in_Canada/ID=1399251969 for anybody interested
Thunderbug, the Lightning’s mascot, just flashed me his championship ring. Clown.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
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by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 4:08 PM PST via mobile reply actions
One of those “clean” checks from behind. I guess.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 4:22 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Twice now he has failed to go in deep. Poor decision making.
Wonder if he’s afraid to do in deep because he has to be “defensively responsible”.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 4:32 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Nine seconds of five on five will do that.
And the midget just whined his team onto the power play.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 4:33 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Surprised Sarich got that hooking call.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 4:35 PM PST via mobile reply actions
the PP has looked quite cohesive lately.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 4:39 PM PST up reply actions
The first three rows behind the Flames bench is all Flames fans. And we just all got silly stringed by Thunderbug.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
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by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 4:39 PM PST via mobile reply actions
What a dickhead.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 4:39 PM PST up reply actions
Being a prick to the opposition is par for the course in tampa. The Devil Rays have a loudmouth fan who is popular because he is an asshole.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 4:43 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
There is a Bolts fan behind us he keeps yelling stuff at the bench. Lol.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 4:45 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I think greg millen is the cc, but I’ve never heard the PBP guy before.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 4:40 PM PST up reply actions
It’s Dean Brown. He does Senators games, I believe.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 4:41 PM PST up reply actions
Jesus. Looks like the refs are going out of their way to help Tampa.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 4:40 PM PST via mobile reply actions
What’s our CSBPC? And where’s Bork?
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
you get the feeling that Corsi isn’t going to be reflective of this game…
btw, does 4on4 count in Corsi?
It does count, but I suspect that this could be like the Carolina game. Refs do tend to back off as the game goes on, although this one is just a friggin’ parade at the moment.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 4:46 PM PST up reply actions
At least the refs are ruining this game for both teams.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 5:15 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
It looks to me like the Leafs expect Iginla to be faster than he is – he’s usually a step behind the pass, or he quits skating just before he gets into a good position after a pass.
Almost half way there!
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 4:47 PM PST up reply actions
I’m glad someone got it.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 4:53 PM PST up reply actions
Powerplays goals. That’s where it’s at now in Flamesland. Love it but go figure. : )
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 4:50 PM PST via mobile reply actions
“Semin is PLAYING THE BONGOS out there …”
by Calgarian in SJ on Feb 6, 2010 4:54 PM PST up reply actions
Please dont use the word Gay as a perjoratave.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 4:54 PM PST up reply actions
I’ve played hockey all my life, and my feeling is that if I get hit cleanly, or a ‘star’ on my team gets hit cleanly, then that’s hockey – take a number and get back out there. How the hell can players in the NHL and leadership in the NHL say they want clean hard hitting hockey and then allow shit like Kotalik having to fight after a perfectly clean hit (of a guy who’s 6’ plus and 2 bills plus). Drives me nuts.
Please someone explain what just happened?
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 4:54 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Didn’t realize it was for that. Assumed the strap got ripped off by force.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 4:59 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Didn’t realize it was for that. Assumed the strap got ripped off by force.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 4:59 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Also, what is the deal with rinks like SJ and TB with no room for the backup goalie on the bench?
-Colin
That may be too nice.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 4:57 PM PST up reply actions
I am under the impression he thought one of them was broken.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 4:58 PM PST up reply actions
Well, not sure what can be taken from that first period. Only a tiny fraction was played at ES.
Chances ended up being 5-5.
How much do you wanna bet the old man goes after Kotalik for his jersey not being tied down?
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
Why would he care? everyone knows kotalik doesnt fight. And he didnt start this fight either. Kotalik is blameless here
by Rod Blogojevich on Feb 6, 2010 5:03 PM PST up reply actions
How is he blameless? he broke a rule. I was just basing it on the fact that Cherry is such a fan of fighting.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 5:04 PM PST up reply actions
The old man is too busy watching the Leaf game.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 5:05 PM PST up reply actions
I give props to Kotalik, good hit, nice play, he didn’t turtle. Sucks about the jersey but 1 fight every 8 years, I think your allowed to not really think that you need to worry about an equipment rule for fights.
Yeah im sure sutter will make it sound bad in media discussion but nobody gives a shit. Unless they lose! (knock on wood)
by Rod Blogojevich on Feb 6, 2010 5:21 PM PST up reply actions
Ales answer: “come on bro, I don’t even want to be here. I’d rather be on my boat with my towel swimsuit.”
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
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by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 5:04 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
needs moar bros.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 5:05 PM PST up reply actions
Jump in the fucking lake, Don. Dion played second level competition. Nick Lidstrom played the big boys and kicked the shit out of them.
3-0, wtf? I have OTT in my dead pool.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 5:10 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I feared that.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
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by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 5:16 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
That and they choked hard last night.
Dumb play, Pardy.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 5:20 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
As of this point, nothing.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 5:19 PM PST up reply actions
Not on bench
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 5:21 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
If he aint back now, assume he is done for the night.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 5:21 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, turning your back on the puck is a guarantee of getting called on that play.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 5:21 PM PST up reply actions
Tampa’s just dumped the puck in and changed two straight shifts. They’re OK right now.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 5:28 PM PST up reply actions
You guys were right about the Bork hit. What a crock.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
Hopefully it’s one the league will review, though. They can’t let players get away with that kind of stuff.
I’ve watched that play a bunch of times now and it pisses me off because Bourque got hurt, but I don’t see how it’s dirty. What is Foster supposed to do when he comes out of the box? It’s already a 2 on 1 for the Flames. If Foster plays Bork soft and he gets by, he’d be a goat. Bork is not stupid, he has to have some idea how much time is left in the penalty and have a feel for the fact that Foster may be out soon (especially because I’m pretty sure I heard a stick banging on the ice, probably the TB tender). I think it was just the luck of the draw.
It’s so weird with him. Some times he makes plays like that, others, he loses the puck or whatever.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 5:41 PM PST up reply actions
Oh for the love of…
Calgary dominates all period, but, of course, they’re the only team to get penalized.
I sure am getting sick of that.
Espically since Hedman just took a lumberjack hack at GlenX on his breakaway.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 5:43 PM PST up reply actions
Little different if you push the guy down to make sure he stays in there… that should be interference.
Same story all year. Would be real nice if we got the same rulebook everyone else does.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 5:53 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
17-9 The Shots in favor of the Le Flame.
That’s 57-22 through 5 Periods in 48 Hours of Hockey and jeeze I hope Bourque’s injury is only minor and their just keeping him out for precautionary reasons.
Are you geeked for Kotalik?
It’s most likely observation for a concussion… he looked a little not entirely there when he was sitting on the ice.
Yeah and concussions can linger and this could turn into a week to week situation not a day to day situation.
Are you geeked for Kotalik?
CGY +11, +5 in the period. Tampa only has 15 attempts at EV through two. That isn’t very many.
EV shots 10-7 CGY, 6-3 in the period. Tampa really isn’t in Calgary’s class unless they’re on the PP, and even then, it’s a toss-up.
oh jesus now we have to deal with mike millbury. i cant be the only one here who thinks he is the most annoying prick in hockey broadcasting today. he makes pierre over at tsn almost seem likable.
Impressed with the level of energy the Flames are showing on the back to back.
One things for sure, the mascots in Florida love driving atvs on the ice. Kind of nuts.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 5:54 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I’m waiting for another one of those guys to end up like the Mariner Moose.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 5:55 PM PST up reply actions
3 D D. Phaneuf 0 1 1 0 2 17:56
I really want to hold it over TO fans.. but Dion is making it tough… 18 minutes in 2 periods.. +1, yikes
He played 28 minutes last night, but they were pretty soft. Least amount of own zone draws on the team I think.
It looks like Beauchemin is getting the tougher circumstances, frankly.
didn’t look too deeply into it. Interesting that they are getting him big minutes but sheltering him.. not a bad strategy really.. he can eat up lots of minutes against softer competition, and makes your fans think he’s doing more than he is (Hmmmmm** Norris Candidacy and Don Cherry)…
Milbury, you idiot, he offered him over 100 million dollars!
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 5:56 PM PST up reply actions
If the Pens can’t fly into washington, why the hell are they busing from Newark? Three hours in a bus in that storm is begging for a tragedy.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 5:55 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Cause Bettman’s desperate.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 5:58 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
It’s possible all of the airports are closed and Newark is as close as it gets.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 5:58 PM PST up reply actions
The thing Milbury is missing is that, from what I know, there were still issues with the Atlanta Spirit ownership that stopped Waddell from making any specific offers for a couple of months into the season. Good of MacLean to bring it up.
Still Kov screwed them over by not making his mind known. If he was not going to sign there he should have said something so they could have found him a place (perhaps that he wanted) to go to. It wasn’t the money
I don’t doubt he’d had enough by this winter. Whether he really felt that way this summer and was just jerking them, who knows? He may well have been holding out until he had Waddell in a bind.
Anyway, here’s the story I was thinking of.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 6:05 PM PST up reply actions
IMO I seriously wonder if Kov will sign in NJ. ?
It seems an odd fit … uncharacteristic of Lou to do something like this. I never would’ve guessed he would end up going to the Devils.
And … what did Atlanta get for Heatley? How fortunes can change.
by Calgarian in SJ on Feb 6, 2010 6:06 PM PST up reply actions
Is it me or have the Flames been more disciplined on D since the Dion trade?
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 6:07 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I think I just build that part in and internalize it at this point.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 6:10 PM PST up reply actions
One terrible shift destroyed 40 minutes of hard work.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 6:10 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Pretty much.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 6:11 PM PST up reply actions
Well, the Flames look stunned thus far in this period. Passes to nowhere, give-aways at the blueline, shots into blocks.
….. and you forgot to mention “Iggy standing around” …..
by Calgarian in SJ on Feb 6, 2010 6:13 PM PST up reply actions
The same Piggy who has been battling in tough areas and has a few shots. He hasn’t been great, but he has had some good shifts.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 6:15 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Must have been some european guy we just picked up. I haven’t noticed him out there, though.
Always check T9, res. haha
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 6:19 PM PST up reply actions
True, but let’s give credit where it is due.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 6:20 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I have to think that one of them is intoxicated.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 6:18 PM PST up reply actions
I still have a little chuckle from it.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
That drunk driving PSA is getting annoying too.
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 6:24 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
“Had that been on the net, White may have scored.”. God I hate this pbp
by Resolute on Feb 6, 2010 6:22 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Trip? Hold? ANYTHING?
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
Jordini?
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 6:28 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t understand the “play-for-overtime/shootout” style. Only 38% of games actually end in OT, and we straight up suck in Shootouts.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
Woah that was close there.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 6:36 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Mickis, GlenX, Hagman.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 6:38 PM PST up reply actions
Ha!. Shots should read 19-15 Tampa. They were bad, but not that bad.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 6:39 PM PST up reply actions
191 shots? We are playing worse then I thought.
Go Flames Go
"WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOUR?"
by Justin Azevedo on Feb 6, 2010 6:39 PM PST up reply actions
Dammit.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 6:41 PM PST via mobile reply actions
One day they’ll realize they have to play 60 minutes.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 6:44 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Guys with reputations for being capable seem to get a lot of rope with NHL coaches I’ve noticed. If he’s a vet with a record, coaches try to let him “play through it”. Especially if he’s making some money. If he’s a kid or if his contract is sub $1M, they usually get demoted.
How many minutes did Backlund play tonight, it seems Butter kept throwing him out there…especially in the end.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 6:52 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
11 minutes. He did play more in the third.
by Robert Cleave on Feb 6, 2010 6:54 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah he kept tapping him and throwing him out there in the third.
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 7:02 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
You want these 3 Point games against the East and I guess that makes me feel a bit better.
Are you geeked for Kotalik?
that joke of a broadcast can’t seriously be called HNIC, though, can it ?
by walkinvisible on Feb 7, 2010 10:32 AM PST up reply actions
Guys we have to take this in stride we can’t win them all this the first time they’ve lost as a whole team and they’ll learn from that and will be back to play the Sens.
Tomorrow is another day.
Are you geeked for Kotalik?
Yeah, in their defense it was the 2nd half of a road back-to-back, so lackluster play is a little more understandable than it might be.
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 6, 2010 6:57 PM PST up reply actions
This game’s announcer also did Philly v. Pittsburgh last playoffs which is the first time I heard him. He ruined that series for me, which is amazing given all the offensive talent that was playing.
But even this clueless fucker could tell that the third period was a clusterfuck. When practically every 50/50 decision with the puck was “get into TB zone, clog centre ice”, you know that’s a coaching problem. Especially when the new guys didn’t do this on their own teams (I’m thinking TOR especially, I never paid attention to individual players but the team as a whole was pretty aggressive in third periods IIRC).
Anyways, witha 2 goal lead, go for it, with a 1 goal lead I will start to question. When the game is tied… give me a break. It’s not a winning strategy.
I hate this coach.
Maybe we should ask the Oilers if they want to do a coach swap.
by SmellOfVictory on Feb 6, 2010 7:52 PM PST up reply actions
It is an eternal mystery to me how you can play so well for two periods and then completely change the style in the 3rd and expect the same result. Why?
Yeah it’s just insane. I mean I understand that they don’t want to give up oddmans and I fully endorse that. But they take it off the rails.
Imagine in the first and second periods, there are decisions that the players have to make, right?
One class of these decisions: where the centre is when the puck’s deep, pinching for the D, when the wingers want to cheat, etc. These are the types of things that I think the players should rightly be reined in on in a one-goal game late. Erring on the safe side here reduce scoring chances at the expense of some possession given up.
But other decisions: dump at centre ice or carry the puck forward, should the second man (or even the first man) engage the forecheck, maintain the box vs. pressure the puck-carriers somewhat. “Playing it safe” here is just giving up on possession entirely, at that point you’re just asking for the Hockey Gods toake a shit on you. This kind of bullshit doesn’t work, but the Sutters are so obsessed about defensive hockey.
It’s like they’re thinking back fondly to the days of the division-winning 05/06. Never mind that Kipper was the best goalie in the world at that point, and the Flames got lucky to boot in their one-goal games.
by R O on Feb 6, 2010 9:22 PM PST up reply actions
AND, not to mention that this defensive system doesn’t even work, half the time they give up more chances than they did in the previous periods.
by R O on Feb 6, 2010 9:33 PM PST up reply actions
It’s as if they think it’s a scoring chance with all five guys in the D-zone they can just turn to the fans, shrug and say “meh look we were playing defensive hockey”.
Whereas last year there was so much backlash when the Flames would give up a goal on transition. When half the time it was Kipper’s fault, guy couldn’t stop a beach ball last season.
by R O on Feb 6, 2010 9:37 PM PST up reply actions
You raise plenty of good points, but my favorite is your middle comment – the defensive shell DOES NOT WORK and reducing chances against, it just gives your goalie more chances to show how valuable he is.
I think you were referring to the decisions you make once in the offensive zone (cheating wingers, pinching D, etc) and that it is reasonable to scale back to the safest position when protecting a lead. But in the defensive zone, it works in reverse. When the transition is working well, the center is cycling back deep and protecting the high slot but is turning quickly to transition out of the zone with speed. I think this should never change, even protecting a one goal lead, and this is the one thing the Flames always do seem to change. The forwards all get sucked deeper and deeper and while they may get in better position to win puck battles, they’re ending up in so many more battles.
That’s a messy way of trying to say that the puck spends more and more time in their zone, not only because of the weak forecheck but also because they’re forcing themselves to have more in-zone battles by retreating their defensive position too deep into their own end.
The forwards all get sucked deeper and deeper and while they may get in better position to win puck battles, they’re ending up in so many more battles.
That’s a messy way of trying to say that the puck spends more and more time in their zone, not only because of the weak forecheck but also because they’re forcing themselves to have more in-zone battles by retreating their defensive position too deep into their own end.
This is definitely what I was trying to say. They’re just letting the opposition have their way in the defensive zone, sure they might not be building up as big a chance-against-per-60 rate but damn when the bad guys spend 13-14 minutes of the period in your zone instead of 8-9…
I want to say that one week later, my favorite new Flames are:
1) Hagman: guy has more heart than 90 percent of the team
2) Higgins: grinder and puts in that extra effort, will be a stud if he can get his offensive game going
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Feb 6, 2010 9:46 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Interesting because you’ve seen them in person, but I haven’t been extremely impressed by Hagman yet – he’s one guy I thought I might see more from. Higgins I agree, he’s been a pleasant surprise.
I’ve been a bystander for a while and never had anything that I thought would be worthy of adding to the discussion. I find that now I may have a tid bit of an opinion regarding this statement so I did the inevitable, it seems and joined up.
I was at the game on Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes and there were some men behind me who would not stop talking about how lazy Hagman was. He barely stayed on the ice for 30 seconds and struggled to get to the bench for a change. They were just ripping into this guy and finally I turned and “politely” mentioned that perhaps they should consider that he just got into Calgary and perhaps the altitude adjustment was the cause. They both thought about this for a second or two and finally had to agree that that could very well be. As days have gone by, I fully believe that this was exactly the case. The poor guy just needed time to adjust and now he has fully engaged and is fighting along with all the new players for every point as now they see a possibility in actually making it to the playoffs.
Hey boys, love this site.
Tough game to lose, but losing Kotalik and Bourque showed in the third. Extremely tough to play the Flames rolling line strategy when they are missing 2 of their top 6. Really changed the dynamics of the team tonight and they looked exhausted in the 3rd, which is no suprise when all the guys were getting used to playing a certain set of minutes and going balls to the wall every shift.
Ottawa should be fun, I have a feeling the Flames will come out like they did in the two games previous to this one and run the Sens into the ice.
Interesting comment I’m reading elsewhere: If the officials had properly called Villeaux for instigating, Kotalik would not have been thrown out of the game. Nice to know the refs blew two calls on one play there.
Officiating’s been particularly suspect during this 3-game stretch vs. SE divison teams.
My favorite call in recent memory (and I’m not sure which game it happened) was that double hooking against Sarich when the opposition player was on a breakaway. Two hooks! D’you remember that? I don’t know who that was against but I just had to laugh when it happened.
Also I believe there was a Sarich extra minor for hooking either yesterday or against FLA just before he fought someone. My memory is hazy but I don’t recall there actually being a hook there.
Sarich is having some braincramps but it doesn’t help that the officials can’t take thier eyes off him.
by R O on Feb 7, 2010 9:24 AM PST up reply actions
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