[Fighting Banana Slug]

Didn't read the story, so I don't know about throwing "heaps of praise" Wards way, but I do think he deserves some credit here.

He took over the team in unprecedented circumstances. They were not playing well and the head coach gets fired for racism/abuse. This season could have easily gone off the rails at that point. Instead, they got a bump with the change, albeit with continuing consistency issues.

The Lindholm/Backlund move was a fairly gutsy change, in an effort to improve down the middle and spread scoring. That was a good idea. A good idea that ultimately failed. There have been numerous posts about hating the blender, but also numerous complaints about sticking with Backlund on the wing for too long. It may not be perfect, but Ward has shown he is willing to make changes (unlike Gully), but also will listen and back off from mistakes. Just not sure what more one can expect.

To me the more important change has been the most recent uptick on pace and forechecking. That is the style this team needs to excel in my opinion, and I hope they can stick to it the rest of the way. Some posters will probably think that it was obvious and Ward should receive no credit, but again, this guy took over part way through the year for a team teetering on the brink. No training camp of his own to try things. Only an interim head coach. That isn't an easy situation.

The Flames may well can Ward at the end of the season and hire a more known commodity, but I am very wary of making that change and assuming the new coach will get better results. Brent Sutter, anyone?