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Old 03-04-2013, 10:22 AM   #278
Calgary4LIfe
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Past (and present) Flames players have stated that they get a lift after the fight. There are two big things it seems that 'wakes up' a team when they are lethargic and doing poorly - pulling the goalie, and a fight. As I mentioned before, Titov said that McCarthy's fights always excited the players on the Flames, and got them going.

It is great when your enforcer is a guy that can play in the top 6. That is what makes Lucic so valuable. Even having a legit enforcer that can play a regular shift on the 4th line is valuable. McGrattan isn't someone I consider you can play regularly on the 4th line - but he isn't horrible either. He hustles and is under control. McIntyre would have been a decent guy out there, but he was uncontrollable. That is why you saw the Flames pick on him while he was on the ice that last year in Edmonton - where he became a target out there until he would lose it and take a bad penalty. McGrattan has a brain out there, and no fear.

I think everyone saw it last night - the 'swagger' this team had. Let's face it - if McGrattan wasn't in the lineup, the Canucks would own us physically. Sestitso, Kassian.. these are two guys right there that would intimidate the Flames. Jackman is NOT an answer - he is game and is courageous, but just ends up getting pummeled. That is hardly a 'deterrent' - I would call that the icing on the cake for opposing teams. He is great when fighting mid-sized guys only.

So far this season I saw a Flames team that had no swagger and who completely shied away from being physical. Last night, they were going. Was great to see. This team really does play 6" taller with an enforcer on the team. If we were a team like Boston with guys like Lucic and Chara, you wouldn't really need a heavyweight (though Boston still likes to use Thornton - but there are a lot of fighters out east now). With a team like the Flames, you need someone that can set some kind of a tone.

Part of why I think the Flames experienced a lot of success in '04 were because of guys like Oliwa and Simon. Opposition trying to have their way? Send those guys out for a shift. Team is a little flat? Send those guys out for a shift. That team had a lot of swagger - though they were a very physical and tough team top to bottom.

Until fighting gets eliminated, there is an advantage to having guys like this around.

McGrattan is an enforcer, not a goon. McIntyre was a goon. Guys who play hockey, are composed and don't take cheap shots - those are enforcers. Goons cost you. Enforcers don't play much, and other players can get an extra couple of shifts on the 4th line if they are hot. Would be nice to have a couple of guys like Prust around, but the Flames don't. McGrattan fills a serious need on this team.
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