[PGT] Islanders 2, Flames 1

[browna]

Wideman certainly looked gassed at the end.

No way are those times sustainable for more the a couple games for any of those guys, without increasing their chances of injury, nevermind their effectiveness in jumping up into the play unexpectedly on the rush and while the puck is in the zone. That jump up or pinching when the other team doesn't expect is a huge reason for some of the goals the Flames have got this year.

So, Gio has to be back at near full capacity, or Treliving has to find guys in next 70 hours or so, that Hartley trusts more to throw out there for more minutes than Englland, Potter, Diaz or Smid.

[sa226]

A missing Gio was not the difference. The forwards need to find a way. Its just that a majority of the top end talent weren't even born when Jagr played his first game.

I thought Russell and Brodie really stepped up.

Given the circumstances, can't help but be impressed with Ramo.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Recently, Backlund and Glencross have been passing as bad as anyone on the team especially in the offensive zone. They make really low percentage plays from the perimeter a lot, no forwards skating and a lot of standing around.

Backlund's great defensively but not so good offensively. Glencross has obviously phoned it in, he loses the majority of his battles.

I would agree that Backlund has been struggling lately, but so has the rest of the team. They need to re-discover their groove and quickly or they will be out of it before they know it.

With that being said, the fact we're still talking about the Flames and playoffs at the end of February is awesome!

[MyFlamesFirst]

Originally Posted by sa226

A missing Gio was not the difference. The forwards need to find a way. Its just that a majority of the top end talent weren't even born when Jagr played his first game.

I thought Russell and Brodie really stepped up.

Given the circumstances, can't help but be impressed with Ramo.

I would argue that a Gio in the line up could have made a difference. Gio is tied for first on our team in points. He is so good at getting points through from the point, and recognizing when it is a good time to jump up in the play and make an ordinary play a much more dangerous play. In a one goal game, he could of absolutely been the difference. Not to mention, him eating his regular minutes would allow our other defense to expend more energy and perhaps jump up more offensively themselves.

[TheDebaser]

Why has Scorch forsaken us!

[AC]

I agree. ^^

We seemed to struggle with getting shots through the Islanders shot-blockers tonight. Gio is definitiely adapt at that.

[Scrambler]

Now I know why Homer hates New York, must be a Flames fan:

[sa226]

^^^^^^
Poor choice of words on my part. I don't think we lost because of a lack of Gio. He absolutely could have been the difference. But one player does not a team make.

[2macinnis2]

Been paying attention to scores around the league for a few weeks now. Not the teams... The scores.

Man it is uncommon that a team scores 3 times and loses in regulation. That's 1 friggin goal per period. It's getting old watching this 2-1 garbage.

NHL has been soccer for too long. And the game speed and player skill and playmaking are all really amazing... but there's just nothing to shoot at with these 747s guarding the nets.

I cannot comprehend why the league hasn't increased the size of the nets yet...

[blender]

Are the Leonard Nimoy images because he died today?

[Banner]

Scoring 3 goals and 1 empty netter in 3 games on a road trip that very well determines your playoff hopes is simply unacceptable. They deserved to lose tonight, the isles looked like the hungrier team.

[Roof-Daddy]

It's tough, because the playoffs are so close you can almost taste them.......but remember, this is year 2 of the rebuild, and this team has played all season at pretty much the cap floor.

In fact, with some of the injuries, we've actually iced many line ups that were well BELOW the cap floor and absolutely loaded with young players who are only going to get better.

Just look at tonight, Flames were missing almost $14,000,000 of their players due to injury/baby births and had their $4.5 million starting goalie on the bench. Total payroll was below $40,000,000 for tonights line up and they put up a solid fight against one of the East's best teams.

Stay the course, and in a couple more years we'll not only making the playoffs, but seriously contending for Stanley Cups.

[Dion]

Someone tell Johnny to shoot the damn puck! It's frustrating when you see him always looking to pass.

[Da_Chief]

Who was calling the game with Rick Ball today?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Who was calling the game with Rick Ball today?

Gary Galley

[Darkwater]

Haven't missed a game in quite some time. Guess it was a good night to take off. How did Potter look in his limited ice time?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Darkwater

Haven't missed a game in quite some time. Guess it was a good night to take off. How did Potter look in his limited ice time?

Wasn't noticeable. Had very little ice time.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Put me on the boat that we need to mix up the lines a bit.

[dammage79]

Oh, If Brad has his way, the lines are going to look significantly different come game day in Philly.

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Gary Galley

Every time I've seen a game with Galley calling the game instead of Hrudey, Flames have lost. Not that Galley has anything to do with it, but just sayin'