[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by GoodUncle

This loss should have been so much worse. The Flames are actually lucky the walked away with a 3-2 loss.

To start….whoever is keeping track of stat’s for Backlund isn’t doing there job! In the 3rd period, right around the 7:30 minute mark, he took a shot and missed the net and in looking at his game stat’s from last night it isn’t recorded. However I digress over a single incident. In really looking at Backlund’s performance last night it is interesting.I believe he played in three (3) power plays (50% of the teams PP’s) yet he couldn’t produce. Again in reference to whomever is keeping stats on Backlund, he was credited with an assist on the full 5 on 5 goal in the beginning of the 3rd period right after the PP that he was on but as I recall it watching the game, I remember thinking to myself he was simply floating around uselessly and didn’t even touch the puck. I’ll have to rewatch the play. ADDITIONALLY in the very beginning of the 2nd period he was back on for the PP and managed to get called for offsides! You can’t capitalize with 5 on 4 hockey if you’re going offsides, especially at the NHL level. On top of what I view as wasted player space and time on the ice during PP’s, Backlund had nearly 20 minutes TOI and continually registered no shots on nets, just more wasted time and space. Hartley needs to fix this problem. And by fix, I don’t mean re-work, re-train, re-anything, Backlund is pulling this team down and it needs to be fixed.

While Ramo had two quick ones get by him in the first 4 minutes of the 1st period, I still think he played well.And, I definitely think he is a strong TEAM asset.

GIORDANO IS A GOD!!! This guy is a TEAM player. He gets it. He sees the ice, knows when to dump, knows when to carry, knows when to pass. During the first period he picked up the puck in the defensive zone and carried it up all the way into the offensive zone to set things up. I remember thinking while it was happening…..THIS is what the team needs. Players who can see the ice and make quick judgments on what to do with the puck. While I believe in stretched out hockey (using the full width) and on some level dumping and chasing, those strategies need to be overlooked for the betterment of the team as opposed to playing a “style” of hockey. That’s another coaching flaw that Hartley needs to work on….good coaches will allow players to use their talents and strengths and abilities and not spoon feed style over everything else. Being creative prevents your opponent from fully understanding your game. At any rate, GIORDANO IS THE BOMB!

Hudler is another fix that Hartley needs to deal with. He’s been with the team now for a while and is still making crazy mistakes……2nd period turnover in the defensive zone during a PP; missed open net in the 1st period PP; just crazy things that need to be “fixed” Mr. Hartley.

Even though McGrattan pulled a penalty with the short amount of time on the ice (trust me I’m not a penalty lover….I actually subscribe to the philosophy “you can’t win games if your team is spending time in the penalty box”), I still think McGrattan is a strong asset to the TEAM! Every TEAM needs a Brian McGrattan. This is a good call by Hartley, I think he gets it!

Scratching Setoguchi and Gaudreau was definitely a coaching mistake. Both of these players are talented and have the ability to lift this team up and by scratching them the coaching staff is sending the wrong message.

In another thread someone mentioned the good in pulling Jooris up. I’ll refrain from the context of reference in that thread…..but I do agree overall that pulling Jooris up is a plus for the TEAM !Jooris is a talented hungry player with lots to offer.EXACTLY what this TEAM needs!

I think overall the Flames were VERY lucky to walk away with a 3 to 2 loss. It should have been far worse!

Ooookkkk...?