Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
Great game. Flames came out hard, and I thought that Winnipeg started really pushing back, but Calgary didn't let up and just started scoring goals.
I love how Gulutzan has this team working on the forecheck. I haven't seen a forecheck this good since... probably Darryl Sutter coaching. I remember Brent Sutter started to get an aggressive forecheck going for a bit, but it didn't last long (don't think the Flames at that time had the legs to run it).
Remember last month when this team looked slow? This team is playing with speed now. I was cringing at how slow they looked to start, but this team can compete with any team in the NHL in terms of speed now.
Funny thing I noticed - At the start of the game, they mentioned Laine got moved down to the 2nd line because he wasn't strong enough defensively, and the moved Wheeler up into his spot alongside Scheifele and Ehlers. That entire line goes -3, while Laine (with exactly 59 seconds less TOI less than Wheeler) finishes the night even. I just thought that was kind of funny (though Laine does have a lot of work to do on his defensive game).
I didn't think I would like Hathaway this much. He is really Niemennen. He really gets under everyone's skin, and it isn't like he is some talentless plug out there either. Man, this Flames team is looking like a polished playoff-ready team, and I don't think I have said this about them for a good 8 or 9 years (even the years they made the playoffs). They are just doing so many things right.
Feel bad for Johnson - he earned that shutout. Terrible overconfident PK attacking like that (though good job by Wideman in getting back), and then that last fluke goal.
That forecheck... I love it.
|
In regards to Hathaway: if he gets sent down I will be royally pissed. He has earned a roster spot, AND a spot in the line up. Something tells me we haven't seen his best hockey yet!
In regards to Johnsons potential shutout tonight: I was very upset at the PK with how we ended the game. Once you reach the
50m mark with a 5-0 lead the top priority is getting your goalie the shutout. Gambling on a 3-1 was brainless.
Even worse is stopping effort in the last 10s.
At least GG has a point of focus on Tuesday morning.