^^ Don't forget about Backlund blocking a shot later in the game as well! Great to see everyone's commitment to their game regardless of what the score is. Definitely great to see everyone buying-in and doing their part, regardless of their role on the team.
I didn't want Hartley as the coach to start with. I have quickly changed my stance, however.
The single most important defect this team has had since probably the '04 run was the culture. I don't blame it on Iginla, or any other vet (and let's not start that debate again!). I always thought that the culture the team has, really starts with the coach.
This team was probably the hardest working and most aggressive team in '04. They hustled on almost every shift. They would find excuses to punish you physically. They never stopped working. It wasn't Iginla, it wasn't Simon, it wasn't Regehr.... it was Darryl Sutter that forced this culture onto the team.
Once he stepped down and Playfair took over, this team seemed to lose a bit of that 'edge'. Then Keenan came on board, and they became a team that was allowed to change into some 'fancy' team that tried to beat you with plays and skill rather than hard, consistent work. Under Brent, he seemed to have tried to get that mentality back of 'hard work' and 'team play', but it just never worked (not to mention, the Flames were one of the smallest teams in the NHL and Brent seemed to have his system revolve around the cycle - which I think is very difficult for a smaller team).
The team has entered a rebuild. The one thing I most wanted purged was this sense of entitlement that made this team stink in some way. There whole was substantially less than the sum of its' parts since '04.
Hartley has ensured that this is a hard-working team that is willing to battle for 60 minutes on most nights. They have come from behind quite a bit this season, when in seasons past it seemed once they were down by a goal or two, the game was essentially 'over'. This team rarely gives up. It rarely takes a night off. It seems to me that Hartley has forced his culture on this team - be hard working, physically fit, and compete on every shift. Just like Darryl Sutter had his team competing.
This is what I most wanted to see this season. Feaster talked about it (and started taking heat right away as people misinterpreted his comments right away) after the trade deadline last year. He said something like: "Our goal is to make the playoffs every year. A rebuild is not an excuse to give up and not play hard." (Paraphrasing here - can't remember his exact quote). I loved these comments (so Darryl Sutter-esque). Had serious doubts about it actually being implemented.
Thought the games last year might have just been that 'energy' of kids trying to prove themselves, players maybe playing for some contracts - still didn't buy that the Flames changed the culture for sure.
After seeing what we have been seeing this season - I would say it is safe to say Hartley has changed it.
There are three things I really love moving forward:
1) Flames making an emphasis on high-hockey IQ types (make the smarter choices on the ice, more easily coach-able, adapt better to new situations and roles) with strong character (train harder, usually are better pros, usually less self-entitlement issues, less distractions in the locker room).
2) Flames will be drafting fairly high this year and next. Seem to have pretty good talent coming up (though they need more of that 'game-breaking' elite talent). There should be an influx of highly talented kids possessing the IQ and character from point 1.
3) They enter a team that has a culture and identity of working hard and playing as a team. Hartley isn't afraid to bench and demote players (see Baertschi, Colborne, Backlund, Monahan's ice-time too at times).
This team, though near the bottom of the league, doesn't have a stink about it. If anything, there are some very, very positive things surrounding this team.
Glad to hear Burke talk positively about Hartley, and making the joke about the fist-fight if he asked Hartley to tank. This team has maintained its' integrity in the league (probably increased it this past season, which I think is pretty tough for rebuilding teams to do!).
Maybe Hartley isn't the right guy to get this team past that 'hump' when the time comes. For now, he is definitely the right coach to bring the youth in and get their ears wet in the NHL.
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