[Game Takes] Ducks 3 Flames 2

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2014/11/g...-3-flames-2-2/

[Vulcan]

I thought the Ducks physical game gave them time and space. We could have used Jones but give the Flames credit for their plucky game and their no quit attitude.

[Flashpoint]

Great read thanks for writing it. Really really enjoying the play by play this year with Hrudey and Ball. Makes it a little easier to watch Peter Maher ride off into the sunset. They are total homers, but it's easy with the Flames so young, unheralded (and winning).

If only the audio was in sync...

[Vulcan]

Besides being a good play by play guy, Ball seems to have good hockey knowledge too so the two can make meaningful points. I'm impressed.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Great read thanks for writing it. Really really enjoying the play by play this year with Hrudey and Ball. Makes it a little easier to watch Peter Maher ride off into the sunset. They are total homers, but it's easy with the Flames so young, unheralded (and winning).

If only the audio was in sync...

The commentators are refreshing after Kerr/Simmer but Maher was radio. And radio now doesn't hold a candle to Maher

Good write up and Hiller was rightfully called up for the Palmeiri goal. Unacceptable.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I thought the Ducks physical game gave them time and space. We could have used Jones but give the Flames credit for their plucky game and their no quit attitude.

It did. And that is why I mentioned the size issue in the game thread, although many don't agree. When the Ducks were using their size, the Flames couldn't compete. The Flames had no answer for the Perry/Getzlaf combo especially, when they were on the ice using their skill and size.

While the 2 goal comeback was great and it's nice to believe the Flames are competing with the likes of the Ducks, at the end of the day, if the Flames do make the playoffs, they would never survive a 7 game series with a bigger, stronger team like the Ducks.

People tire of hearing about size, but the Flames are small. That shouldn't be a shock to anyone, but it should be a concern.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Igster

It did. And that is why I mentioned the size issue in the game thread, although many don't agree. When the Ducks were using their size, the Flames couldn't compete. The Flames had no answer for the Perry/Getzlaf combo especially, when they were on the ice using their skill and size.

While the 2 goal comeback was great and it's nice to believe the Flames are competing with the likes of the Ducks, at the end of the day, if the Flames do make the playoffs, they would never survive a 7 game series with a bigger, stronger team like the Ducks.

People tire of hearing about size, but the Flames are small. That shouldn't be a shock to anyone, but it should be a concern.

I don't disagree that the Flames are small, or that over a 7 game series size might play a factor. In this game though, the Perry/Getzlaf line ran our show and Keegan Kanzig would not have stopped that. We lost because they're very good and find ways to get open and find each other. They weren't fighting through checks, they were just open. They shield the puck well because they're big, but add an average of 2 inches to everyone and we're still not getting the puck back.

Perry and Getzlaf are big and talented. They ran around on us is because they're great hockey players

[Igster]

Oh I'm not just talking about being big. I'm talking about big and talented. I never said it would be easy. But some more size would help.

And it wasn't just those two. When the Ducks were using their size to their advantage throughout the lineup, it made a difference. Flames are talented and had chances, don't get me wrong, but some more size would help.

[killer_carlson]

I didn't catch the entire game so I missed Boudreau's comments. Where did he make them?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Igster

It did. And that is why I mentioned the size issue in the game thread, although many don't agree. When the Ducks were using their size, the Flames couldn't compete. The Flames had no answer for the Perry/Getzlaf combo especially, when they were on the ice using their skill and size.

While the 2 goal comeback was great and it's nice to believe the Flames are competing with the likes of the Ducks, at the end of the day, if the Flames do make the playoffs, they would never survive a 7 game series with a bigger, stronger team like the Ducks.

People tire of hearing about size, but the Flames are small. That shouldn't be a shock to anyone, but it should be a concern.

I suppose if you're looking at it with respect to this year's team it's a concern.

But going forward I am not concerned.

No question that the team started the rebuild from a position of being small (Hudler, Byron). And not only small, but many of the players don't play a physical game (Stajan, Backlund, etc).

And then the first wave of prospects to crack the lineup have also included some small players, like Gaudreau and Basertschi.

But the overall prospect base isn't small and I am not worried about it going forward. Monahan, Colborne, Bennett, Poirier, Ferland, Jooris, and Bouma are good players that aren't going to get pushed around. And if guys like Smith and Wolf can make the jump, they'll tip the scales substantially.

On the backend, they are also starting from a position of being small with Brodie and Russell. However, most of the guys in the pipe are bigger, like Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Kulak, Hickey, Mattsson and of course Kanzig.

No, they're not all going to make it. But the point is that even though Gaudreau and Baertschi did nothing to address the size issue, it will improve as the next wave of players join the team.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I didn't catch the entire game so I missed Boudreau's comments. Where did he make them?

Pregame

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I didn't catch the entire game so I missed Boudreau's comments. Where did he make them?

Found the Hawks comparison:
http://video.flames.nhl.com/videocen...sole?id=682171

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Igster

Oh I'm not just talking about being big. I'm talking about big and talented. I never said it would be easy. But some more size would help.

And it wasn't just those two. When the Ducks were using their size to their advantage throughout the lineup, it made a difference. Flames are talented and had chances, don't get me wrong, but some more size would help.

That's what I'm saying though, is I didn't see their size being used as an advantage. Where size becomes an advantage is net front battles and board battles. Gaudreau can shield the puck in the middle of the ice better than most big men. I didn't see us lose any more of those battles because we were small. I saw Getzlaf and Perry maintain possession constantly and that had little to do with size. Minus their first line the game was even, if not tilted in our favour 5v5.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

That's what I'm saying though, is I didn't see their size being used as an advantage. Where size becomes an advantage is net front battles and board battles. Gaudreau can shield the puck in the middle of the ice better than most big men. I didn't see us lose any more of those battles because we were small. I saw Getzlaf and Perry maintain possession constantly and that had little to do with size. Minus their first line the game was even, if not tilted in our favour 5v5.

You don't think the Ducks pushed the Flames around in their own zone a lot? Ducks physical game was very prevalent at times. Flames talent got around the physical game at times as well for some chances, but when the bigger, stronger Ducks were playing big and strong, I saw a team that was taking over the play.

As mentioned above, there is more size coming and guys like Monahan are getting bigger and stronger, but the overall size is concerning right now anyway. Really though, I suppose this is all gravy. Flames weren't even supposed to be worried about a playoff series, so if they make it, it will be fun just to see what they can do with what they have.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Igster

You don't think the Ducks pushed the Flames around in their own zone a lot? Ducks physical game was very prevalent at times. Flames talent got around the physical game at times as well for some chances, but when the bigger, stronger Ducks were playing big and strong, I saw a team that was taking over the play.

As mentioned above, there is more size coming and guys like Monahan are getting bigger and stronger, but the overall size is concerning right now anyway. Really though, I suppose this is all gravy. Flames weren't even supposed to be worried about a playoff series, so if they make it, it will be fun just to see what they can do with what they have.

I think that's the thing we need to keep reminding ourselves.

No one thought the team would be this competitive. There are positive surprises up and down the lineup. That's great and they need to keep pushing everyone.

And it'll be great to see how far these horses can run, but we need to remain focused on the rebuild.

[GioforPM]

A day after: The Flames played one of the teams I figure to contend for the cup. That team has a former Richard and Hart winner and double gold medallist, a top ten centre in the league and a very good all around team. The Ducks' goalie played very very well.

The Flames hung around all night despite less than stellar goaltending. They pushed hard at the end and could easily have tied it. You can't win them all and they tried.

I thought Gio had a good game. Monahan and Brodie had overall good games although a few struggling shifts against the Getzlaf line. Byron played well. Gaudreau played very well except for the awful giveaway. Granlund was good. Sven had a positive game, Wideman was OK, Bouma played OK for being out of place. Didn't notice Jooris much, good or bad. Hudler was pretty good all night. Glencross was average. Smid was OK. Engelland wasn't good. Bollig struggled in his own end but I thought he and Knight were OK overall. Hiller wasn't good. Russell had an off night - the goal was a fluke, but maybe he could have done something different than stick his blade out. Arguably Hiller should be ready for something like that and butterfly as well.

But again, playing the best and pushing to the end? Year 2 of the RB? Pretty damned good.