Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Huntingwhale · 04-18-2019, 10:18 AM

Sober thoughts from the next morning...

As horrible as this classic Flames' choke was, you have to give credit to the Avs. They came into this series with pretty much nobody giving them a chance. Game 1 looked to confirm that. Then they found not only an extra gear, but multiple gears that the Flames just won't match.

I actually thought it was a super exciting game and the Flames played much better then game 3. But still, the Avs dominated most of the game, although the Flames did push back.

I actually thought Johnny wasn't that bad. But some poor decisions on his part to not SHOOT when he was in the slot. As Ray Ferraro said on the NBC broadcast, dangles don't work in the post season. You take it to the net hard. They actually showed a montage of MacKinnon vs Gaudreau doing exactly that. One play took it hard to the net. One player tried to dance through 3 players like it was an exhibition game.

Feels like a waste of Smith's performance. He's brought out his inner Jesus yet again, peaking at the right time. Yet the Flames couldn't take advantage of that.

The officiating sucked. But that's not why we lost. Back to back 50+ shots on goal is a recipe for disaster.

Neal is completely useless. Next time his agent is in negotiations to overpay one of his UFA clients, the GM should simply pull out a photo of James Neal in Flames' silks and pop in a VHS tape of Neal 'earning' his hefty UFA contract and knock 75% of the signing. Players like Neal are why I have absolutely no issue with GMs low-balling players on UFA day. His whole 'flip the switch in the playoffs' is such a cop out. It's something people say simply calm down media scrutiny and make themselves feel better about how disappointing a player is. The list of players who flip the switch like that is very short league-wide, and Neal ain't one of them.

Monahan has been terrible and it will be funny during the summer listening to some people defending him about being a true #1 C. ''But he put up 30 goals". "He's a top 15 scoring C". That means sweet #### all when you can't elevate your game when it matters. In the end, he is what he is. But I remember it wasn't too long ago people were arguing he was better then Mackinnon. Laughable and sad some of us actually thought that.

The Avs fanbase is intimidating and rowdy. Have to give them credit. That is one hostile building to play in.

I will say though, Brady Tkachuk is awesome. Wearing a shirt with a Flames' logo, tossing out GFG on national TV, up in his seat during various moments. The kid is awesome and I wonder if he'll catch some flack from the Sens organization for wearing another team's colors. Would love to see him in a Flames jersey one day.

04-18-2019, 10:18 AM	#746
Huntingwhale Franchise Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Exp:	Sober thoughts from the next morning... As horrible as this classic Flames' choke was, you have to give credit to the Avs. They came into this series with pretty much nobody giving them a chance. Game 1 looked to confirm that. Then they found not only an extra gear, but multiple gears that the Flames just won't match. I actually thought it was a super exciting game and the Flames played much better then game 3. But still, the Avs dominated most of the game, although the Flames did push back. I actually thought Johnny wasn't that bad. But some poor decisions on his part to not SHOOT when he was in the slot. As Ray Ferraro said on the NBC broadcast, dangles don't work in the post season. You take it to the net hard. They actually showed a montage of MacKinnon vs Gaudreau doing exactly that. One play took it hard to the net. One player tried to dance through 3 players like it was an exhibition game. Feels like a waste of Smith's performance. He's brought out his inner Jesus yet again, peaking at the right time. Yet the Flames couldn't take advantage of that. The officiating sucked. But that's not why we lost. Back to back 50+ shots on goal is a recipe for disaster. Neal is completely useless. Next time his agent is in negotiations to overpay one of his UFA clients, the GM should simply pull out a photo of James Neal in Flames' silks and pop in a VHS tape of Neal 'earning' his hefty UFA contract and knock 75% of the signing. Players like Neal are why I have absolutely no issue with GMs low-balling players on UFA day. His whole 'flip the switch in the playoffs' is such a cop out. It's something people say simply calm down media scrutiny and make themselves feel better about how disappointing a player is. The list of players who flip the switch like that is very short league-wide, and Neal ain't one of them. Monahan has been terrible and it will be funny during the summer listening to some people defending him about being a true #1 C. ''But he put up 30 goals". "He's a top 15 scoring C". That means sweet #### all when you can't elevate your game when it matters. In the end, he is what he is. But I remember it wasn't too long ago people were arguing he was better then Mackinnon. Laughable and sad some of us actually thought that. The Avs fanbase is intimidating and rowdy. Have to give them credit. That is one hostile building to play in. I will say though, Brady Tkachuk is awesome. Wearing a shirt with a Flames' logo, tossing out GFG on national TV, up in his seat during various moments. The kid is awesome and I wonder if he'll catch some flack from the Sens organization for wearing another team's colors. Would love to see him in a Flames jersey one day.