CLB had one guy high to block, and the other 4 collapse to the net the better part of 2 periods. Flames a)couldn't get around that and then b) get a scramble bounce to go in.
The problem is, only the top line plus, Brodie, Gio and Bennett, had any clue or notion or hockey sense, and the skill, to actually try something to get around that CLB strategy.
Backlund, Colborne, Jooris, all take perimeter shots, and all high shots, uselessly, and play too much around the edges, which is what CLB wanted. Backlund on his last shift thankfully fired one 15 feet to high from an impossible angle; thankfully because it meant he could get changed off. Ferland with a lot of ice but not a lot of usefullness, same with Frolik (who's usually dependable).
Hamilton and Russel too, couldn't get the puck past that lone defender. And they did, they too shot high. They look dumbfounded.
The top line and the defenders, skated around the first wave of guys, and carried the puck down low, not took the first available shot.
I am sure the effort and maybe some bounces will go ok vs Van. tomorrow. Hartley may chew them out; whether his message holds much weight anymore is also TBD.
Bottom line is that for the Flames to get to the next level, they need to find the proper linemates for Bennett so that the Flames have two good lines up front, and games like this aren't even close.
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