Despite the loss I'm actually encouraged by the game. I honestly didn't know if they would be able to hang with the Ducks particularly on the road. The first 5 minutes of the game didn't help. But after that the team settled in and 5 on 5 the play seemed fairly even or in long stretches even to favour the Flames.
The Flames looked like a team that was nervous and inexperienced and they still managed to carry the play for long stretches.
Some of the teams best players (Johnny, Dougie, Backlund) didn't play well and Getzlaf had a great game and the Flames still managed to carry the play for long stretches.
The Ducks were getting more calls going their way and the Flames still were in it right until the end.
If they get over the game 1 butterflies and find their focus I think they'll win this series.
|