Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
Last year down the stretch the Flames were on fire goal scoring wise. They were definitely not playing low event hockey as they were either the top team in scoring or second in GF down the stretch. Goaltending I don't remember being very good either as it was Rittich struggling once again in the second half and Talbot getting more starts because of Rittich's drop off.
Lastly, the GM doesn't need to make a call because they're playing the exact SAME system. Ward was hired to work in coherence with Bill Peters, so the two had to have shared the same or extremely similar philosophies and based on what I've seen, it is indeed identical. Both believe in a very aggressive, very heavy based checking system. They both also believe in a very passive defensive scheme so you give up the low percentage shot from the point which I assume is to protect the high danger chances from the middle.
I don't understand where you got this "started playing a different system" thing. I think I've seen you post it a couple times now and I have no idea where you heard it from. Like did this come out of Bill Peter's mouth because I for sure didn't hear it.
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The chart above shows their stats. They were 27th in shots against down the stretch but had the 9th best save percentage in the league, Talbot was great to end that season before Covid struck.
And a couple of things:
1) Peters said in the lead up to 19-20 that they were going to try to play a bit of a heavier style that they thought was more suited to success in the playoffs, so not making it up.
2) Its very clear from watching the games that the structure they play, especially in the defensive zone in how they collapse in front of their net and their breakout is a lot different to 18-19.
and to your last post - this team is not aggressive in the offensive zone at all and plays very passive under Ward in all three zones.