I'm pretty sure Bob Hartley's Flames would get up for games a bit more consistently than this, and even on their off nights they certainly wouldn't give up the way these guys do after the first two goals go the wrong way (seems to be about when they phone it in, given that they never come back from multi goal deficits).
Someone's got to be the guy to stand up and rally the team. Who better than the guy who's support to manage and mentor this young team along? Sometimes Gio should be the one to take the reigns but I don't think it should come down to him every night.
It's not the lack of winning that's particularly alarming about this year's version of the Flames, even against lower teams. it's the distinct throwing in of the towel before time has expired that should never happen with guys who are getting compensated that handsomely to play a game.
I hope to hell tonight was more rust than anything and that whatever it was it's not present on wednesday.
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