Flames erupt again in the first, but the Jets really pushed back hard. I don't think it was a matter of the Flames not playing hard - Jets are a really good team and they pushed hard in the 2nd. Flames did a fairly good job of containing them, and when they didn't, Rittich was there to make the big saves.
This team is so much better over last year's team simply because they are playing much more consistently. They don't get rattled. They can handle the big push-backs. They aren't giving up. The last time I saw a Flames' team being this CONSISTENTLY tenacious was the 03-04 Flames and Hartley's consistent 3rd periods.
Great to see some depth scoring tonight as well, although that 2nd line is providing a strong offensive presence too. Flames aren't a one-line team any longer.
Lastly, I blasted Ryan on these boards a number of times, but over the last few games I felt he has really contributed very nicely. He is playing reliably and effectively, and he is helping this team win games now. I really felt like he was a passenger on any given line other than his face-off abilities, but he has been much improved.
Suddenly the Flames are a team that look like they don't have any holes. If they keep it up, they will push themselves into that elite category.
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