Flames really needed Ferland to take a big step. You could see that he had offensive abilities in how he handled the puck, and he had a nice shot but always seemed to not do much with it. Ferland has seemed to take a big step this season (especially lately) and that is the exact type of player that the top line needed.
Great on the forecheck, good speed, hard on the puck and wins a lot of puck battles, able to make solid skilled passes and has a good shot, and can also drop the mitts and really fight. That is the exact perfect compliment to that top line.
Really great to see everyone really responding on the team now. Who can we say is playing poorly? I would hope that Brouwer steps up a bit more, but even he hasn't been doing 'bad'. Bartkowski isn't impressing me much, but he is also fairly new and I hope he just starts improving - but there are 3 or 4 defencemen that can be rotated into that spot anyways.
Gulutzan has this team focused and working hard, and that is the job of a coach. When you see the team responding and every line and defensive pairing getting the job done, you know the coach is the right fit. I had some very big doubts based on how many players just weren't doing well, but it appears things are definitely smoothed out. Hopefully they continue their strong play down the stretch.
Oh, and FU Oilers - everyone is coming for you twerps.
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