Here's what I saw, as an outsider:
A young roster of average-to-low overall level of high-end skill that worked its butt off for 50 minutes and got extremely good goaltending.
My guess before the game would have been that the Wild was the better team, but I didn't voice that because it was based only on what I've read about the Flames this season, not having seen any of their games.
Afterward, I would still say the Wild has more talent, but I could NOT say the Wild plays harder than the Flames. Granted, based on ONE whole game.
I don't know what has been promised to you guys about this Flames team this season, but I do know that I've had to sit through many years of average-to-low skilled Wild teams some of which worked hard (Lemaire era) and some of which didn't (Richards era). I'll take the hard-working teams any day.
I realize (from personal experience) that doesn't always make you feel any better about losing. But it's better than losing while playing indifferently.
Last, there seems to be a sub-set of you guys who become concerned about players' confidence being "shattered" after x-many games where the team doesn't win. And this penchant bothers another subset of you. To those whom it bothers, I would suggest - and I am absolutely not trying to troll you guys, I think (hope) I've established my respect for you as a fan base, and the Flames as a team throughout my tenure here - that's transference of their own shaky confidence about the team, nothing more. Maybe that helps you not be as bothered when your brethren exhibit this behavior. Behaviour. Whatever. Whateveur.
