I for one was at a buddy's 30th birthday party on Saturday night and watched the game on TV and did not grab my phone to post on CP after the game and on Sunday I was at the game with a client and we went out for a late dinner after the game and I did not let the client know that I had to go on CP to post, so my apologies for missing out on the fun.
As for the games, I thought the following:
1) Stajan was a beast both nights, he is the only center that has a chance to win a faceoff which is huge for this team. He will never be a true number one center, but he is playing now like a good second line center and is earning his 3.5 million dollar salary. The way he is currently playing, if he kept it up until next December, I would not have a problem re-signing him to a similar contract;
2) I thought Bouw was good in both games, he is definitely flourishing under Hartley. He is another guy I would keep long term, as his age and his style of play could make him effective well into his mid to late 30's;
3) Wideman is autrocious 5 on 5, great on the PP, but the guy really needs sheltered minutes otherwise.;
4) Nice to see Iginla get a couple, hopefully that gets him going in terms of goal production. Both goals were probably not in the top 400 Iginla goals in terms of asthetics, but a goal is a goal;
5) 2nd line scoring is key for the Flames, if Cammy can center a productive second line that bodes well for the team in the future;
6) Tanguay needs to learn how to shoot the puck and do it more often.;
7) I thought Sven looked good out there, once Cervenka is in decent game shape a third line of Sven Cervenka and Hudler could do some real damage;
8) Too bad the Flames did not try the veteran backup thing sooner. This is exactly what Kipper has always needed, a guy who can play 20 games a season and give you a chance to win those games.
Flames need to do well on the two game road trip, as the next 5 after that are difficult games. If they are under .500 at the halfway mark, I sure hope management is smart enough to do the odds on any team going 17-7 down the stretch or better to make the playoffs.
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