Posting this before reading the thread but thoughts from last nights game.
Macdonald - he isn't going to give you 60 games but he is solid for each of the back to back nights. He was scrambling a bit at times but all goalies do. I wouldn't blame him for any of the goals, none of them were softies in my opinion.
Baertschi - Seems to have responded well to the criticism from the powers that be. He was engaged whenever he was on the ice, battling on the boards and back checking really well. Those that didn't see the game will look at the stats and say he only had an assist, was -1 with no shots but that doesn't tell the whole story of his game. He seems to be concentrating on learning that 200 foot game that Burke talked about before putting it all together.
Backlund - Every shift you heard his name mentioned, he seems to be doing everything right at the moment. I agree that he may not become this big point scorer we were hoping for but he is going to be a great centre for this team that can play in all situations.
Hudler - Until the goal I hadn't been too impressed with his game last night, he just didn't seem to get anything going. Others may see it differently but that was just what i felt.
Colborne - Not very impressed at all, he seems to have alot to learn. He appreared to be floating around lost quite a lot of the time.
Monahan - You can just see that this kid is going to be really good, he just gets the game. He drives the net at the right times but if he sees the play breaking down drops back to slow the other teams break out, helping his defence. Is another year of junior going to help him at this point,I don't know, but if we keep him up and give him sheltered minutes it might be just as good a learning experience for him.
Mcgratton - Limited minutes but boy does he make them valuable. Drew two reat penalties and that back check to break up the Cls break out in the second was a thing of beauty. If he keeps playing like that he is worth playing every night.
Galiardi - Now that is how you make up for the mistake the night before. A great set of wheels on the goal, totally undressed Russian Bob, and was all over the ice all night long. great team player and a good pick up.
Defence - I am going to lump this into one rather than talk about individuals other than Giordano. Our captain is playing great out there. He is getting the tough minutes, playing in all situations and calm doing it. Wideman is playing okay but the rest of them don't inspire a lot of confidence, not even Brodie right now. They seemed to have real problems clearing the zone last night and against better teams you will be made to pay. I am sure if we should be looking for a top D at the next draft rather than a foward because i don't have a lot of confidence in the current pack at the back.
Sorry for the long post but just some observations from my first game of the season. More than anything else it was just great to watch Flames hockey again.
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