Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunk
You can tell teams struggle with the Flames' team speed. That's an asset for us as we're not a very big team.
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I think, more specifically, teams struggle with the Flames transition game. They spend next to no time in the neutral zone and the forwards charge down ice. Whether it be a forward coming in at full speed or a tip in that, unlike years past, the forecheck can fight for, the Flames just get the puck in quick and create an attack while the defence is not set. An excellent indicator of this system, IMO, is the number of icings...I'm not sure it's true but it certainly feels like they take way more icing penalties than in years past and most seem to occur because a forward can't connect with a pass.
This is exactly what Hartley wanted when took over the position of Head Coach in Calgary...a quick strike offence. I don't remember the exact words but he wanted to Flames to hit hard and fast once they got the puck. This is the part of the game that made Bouwmeester look like a decent player in a Flames jersey for once. This is what Brodie and Giordano (especially Brodie) excel at and why the Flames are giving goalies and roaming defence nightmares...make one wrong move and the puck is in the net.