[MissTeeks]

Flames coach Gulutzan accepts underdog status

http://www.calgarysun.com/2017/04/10...nderdog-status

They’re underdogs.
Glen Gulutzan didn’t dispute that.
For the record, though, the Calgary Flames head coach wasn’t first to mention it.
He might accept the label, but it would be a stretch to say Gulutzan is relishing it or rushing to butter up the Anaheim Ducks as the faves in what should be a spirited first-round series.
“We’re the underdog, there’s no question,” Gulutzan nodded after briefly chewing on the question. “But look at how we’ve played the last 50 games ... We certainly have made a big improvement from Nov. 15 until now. I think our record is around fifth-best in the National Hockey League since then, so I think we’re a confident group.
“We are certainly the underdog, but that’s not always a bad spot to be in. We’ve got some things to prove, some seeds to plant here, and we’re going to be prepared.”

“We have expectations,” said veteran centre Matt Stajan. “We’re not just happy to be here.”
“If you go into games thinking that you’re going to win and there’s no chance you’re going to lose, then you’re going to be a dangerous hockey team,” added Flames alternate captain Troy Brouwer, who became an authority on post-season success when he sipped from the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010.
“I said it when we were in Chicago my first year — we almost had that naive confidence, because none of us had really played in the playoffs. There’s more than just a naive confidence in here. It’s just a confidence that we’re a real good hockey team, we’ve been playing real well and we expect wins.”

Just like a lot of folks did in mid-November, when the Flames owned the NHL’s worst point percentage after a dreadful start.
“(The Ducks) finished higher in the standings, but I’ve liked the way we’ve played in the last three or four months,” Gulutzan said. “I like how we’ve come back out of our start. Yeah, we are the underdog, but I think this is going to be a heck of a series.”

Francis: Flames GM comes to defence of his star defenceman

http://www.calgarysun.com/2017/04/10...tar-defenceman

It’s the time of year everyone is fearful of inciting their opponents by saying anything that remotely resembles criticism, second-guessing or finger-pointing.
On Monday, Micheal Ferland deftly sidestepped questions about Kevin Bieksa and Mark Giordano opted not to revisit his hit on Cam Fowler that left the Anaheim Ducks defenceman injured, the opposition enraged and their GM full of accusations.
So, with others muzzled – and rightly so - Flames GM Brad Treliving felt it was incumbent on him to get something off his chest before Thursday’s playoff opener in Anaheim.
“The one thing I did want to mention is that there were some comments after the last game,” said Treliving of Bob Murray’s insinuation Giordano’s hit was intentional. “First of all, you never want to see anybody injured.
“Cam Fowler is a terrific, elite player. But for someone to suggest Mark Giordano is a dirty player and it was an intentional hit, obviously, I think those were asinine comments.
“Bob is a smart guy. But to suggest Mark Giordano is a dirty player and it was done intentionally, you’re either intoxicated or you’re trying to influence officials. There’s only two things.
“Mark Giordano is a true pro and we’re going to go into the series not worried about what has happened before. There is a method to the madness there, to try to put something in the officials’ heads going into the series, but we’re not focused on that. Bob should keep his comments to his team and we’ll worry about our team.”

Scolding an opposing GM is not exactly bulletin board material, but Treliving’s pointed words are telling of just how agitated he was by Murray’s tack.
“It bothered me, knowing who Mark Giordano is,” said Treliving. “Bob supports his players no different than I would do. But to publicly insinuate what he did was deliberate is wrong. It was incorrect. I haven't talked to Bob and I consider Bob and friend - he's a good manager who has built a hell of a team there, but I’m also going to support my player.”

He didn’t feel the need to answer anything else when it came to the controversy or repercussions surrounding it.
“I don’t want to go there – I just want to think about the series,” said Giordano Monday.
“For me it’s an exciting time and I haven’t played in the playoffs in a long time. The intent wasn’t there and I hope the guy is okay sooner rather than later. He’s a great player, so I’ll leave it at that. To get into a back and forth, I’d really rather not.”

Treliving insists he believes the slate gets “wiped clean” in the playoffs and that the officials won’t be swayed by Murray’s attempt to draw attention to the Flames captain.
“The officials go through this,” said Treliving.
“The best officials are working this time of year and I don’t think they’re going to be intimidated by comments.”
Nor is Treliving, and Monday he wanted that known.

Playoff run will be short if Flames can't halt skid in Anaheim

http://www.calgarysun.com/2017/04/10...kid-in-anaheim

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, but if the Calgary Flames win the Stanley Cup this spring, it’s hard to imagine any of these guys wailing, ‘I’m going to Disneyland!’ during the celebrations.
Anaheim is hardly their dream destination.
Because just a few miles down the road from the world-famous theme park billed as ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ is what could be ‘The Most Slanted Ice on the Planet’ — the Ducks’ home sheet at Honda Center.
It’s more been than a decade since the Flames’ franchise earned a road victory in Anaheim, a 27-game drought that dates back to the opening round of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Even Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the gang would grimace if they heard those stats.
“We’re not worried too much about, The Curse,” insisted Flames thumper Micheal Ferland after Monday’s practice at the Saddledome, their first official prep session for an opening-round series against those dastardly Ducks.

“If you can win one there, I think it can change the whole thing,” said Flames right-winger Michael Frolik. “(The Ducks) know the record and I think they want to play us because of that, a little bit.
“If you break that record, I think we can really build something and use it as an advantage.”

“Belief is No. 1. We have to go in there believing we can win,” stressed Flames captain Mark Giordano, with 19 losses at Honda Center on his own resume. “Listen, the streak and all that, it’s there. We’re going to have to deal with that.”
They’re going to be reminded of it, and not just by pesky reporters from both cities.
During the final minutes of a 3-1 loss last Tuesday at Honda Center, Ducks fans unleashed a loud-and-proud ‘You can’t win here!’ chant.
The volume will only be turned up for Thursday’s Game 1.
“We expect to hear some chants here and there. We expect the media to talk about it,” said Flames alternate captain Troy Brouwer. “But that’s something that we can’t dwell on. That’s something that we can’t let creep into our mind is doubt.”

“With what we did this year, we proved that we can beat anybody in this league, and anywhere,” said Frolik, one of many additions since that five-game ouster two springs back. “I think we have something special going on here, and I think this has to be the year (the streak ends). If you want to beat them, you have to win over there. It has to be this year.
“I think our confidence can be high. We don’t have to be scared or anything.”