WHL Finals Thread: Hitmen vs Backlund! - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FanIn80 · 05-03-2009, 01:24 AM

Was at Game 1, watched a bit of Game 2...

This is actually pretty exciting. What was supposed to be a shellacking by our Hitmen is turning into a possible upset, as Kelowna takes a 2-0 lead in the series. I don't mind admitting that I'm cheering for Kelowna in this one. I like the idea of Backlund playing for the Memorial Cup so he gets that experience before joining the Flames.

Backlund: [2GP] 2G, 1A, +1

Vulcan · 05-03-2009, 02:18 AM

Did you notice Grantham out there. We're going to need a good bruiser sooner rather than later.

SebC · 05-03-2009, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Did you notice Grantham out there. We're going to need a good bruiser sooner rather than later.

I watched him quite a bit (Game 1 TV, Game 2 live)... didn't do anything notable. Noticed him more on the receiving end of hits than on the giving side. Backlund never looks like he's trying very hard, and yet he ended up with the GWG and the insurance goal.

Patrick · 05-03-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

Backlund never looks like he's trying very hard, and yet he ended up with the GWG and the insurance goal.

I noticed this during his 1 NHL game as well. It appears like this but IMO, his hockey sense is so high that he knows where the play is developing. Like a game of chess, he is 3-4 moves ahead of everyone else thought wise, so he doesn't have to be skating like a mad man to get the puck, as hes moving to places where the puck is going to be.

Matata · 05-03-2009, 10:51 AM

How does the memorial cup work, I know there are 4 teams (whl, ohl, qjmhl champs and host) and they have a round robin before the tournament. What is the tournament format? best of 7, one and done?

Freeway · 05-03-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matata

How does the memorial cup work, I know there are 4 teams (whl, ohl, qjmhl champs and host) and they have a round robin before the tournament. What is the tournament format? best of 7, one and done?

Every team plays every other team in a round robin (3 games apiece).

The team with the best record gets a bye to the finals. The next two teams in the standings play each other, with the winner going on to the finals. The team placing last after the round robin is done.

Resolute 14 · 05-03-2009, 11:56 AM

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=71413

As far as Backlund goes, he didn't have to try very hard on those goals, as Calgary's defence didn't try very hard to stop him. If Brent Seabrook was as useless against the Flames as his little brother has been against Kelowna, the Flames would be tied 1-1 with Vancouver right now instead of Chicago.

Matata · 05-03-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freeway

Every team plays every other team in a round robin (3 games apiece).

The team with the best record gets a bye to the finals. The next two teams in the standings play each other, with the winner going on to the finals. The team placing last after the round robin is done.

Thanks! one last question: Are the finals played as a single game, or a best of series?

sureLoss · 05-03-2009, 12:11 PM

Backlund himself admits Game 2 wasn't his best effort:

Quote:

Two goals.

Including the game winner.

That's the kind of offensive production Calgary Flames fans will be thrilled to hear about from Mikael Backlund.

Even better is the fact the first-round draft choice wasn't exactly patting himself on the back for it.

More like he was chastising himself despite helping the Kelowna Rockets claim last night's 5-2 win over the Calgary Hitmen at the Dome.

"I was awful today," Backlund said of his performance. "It's not about the goals.

"Of course I like to score goals, but it's better to play good."

http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/hoc...31481-sun.html

Resolute 14 · 05-03-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matata

Thanks! one last question: Are the finals played as a single game, or a best of series?

Single game.

Was at the 2007 final, and it was quite the experience. One of the biggest reasons why I am pissed at the Flames for not bidding on next year's Memorial Cup.

starseed · 05-03-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

"I was awful today," Backlund said of his performance. "It's not about the goals.

"Of course I like to score goals, but it's better to play good."

Am I allowed to build a Backlund shrine in a corner of my bedroom now?

redforever · 05-03-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

I noticed this during his 1 NHL game as well. It appears like this but IMO, his hockey sense is so high that he knows where the play is developing. Like a game of chess, he is 3-4 moves ahead of everyone else thought wise, so he doesn't have to be skating like a mad man to get the puck, as hes moving to places where the puck is going to be.

Plus, like most Swedes, his skating is at the elite level, so smooth.

FurnaceFace · 05-03-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starseed

Am I allowed to build a Backlund shrine in a corner of my bedroom now?

Sure, or if you're lazy I'm sure Lindberg has a few to sell. I think that's why he's been absent from the board, he's in mass production mode and doesn't have time to type. ;-)

Matata · 05-03-2009, 04:09 PM

now that questions are out of the way...I've really been enjoying the juniors this year, seeing the flames prospects have good (Wahl, Negrin) to great seasons (Nemisz, Backlund, Brodie, Aulie), and seeing Backlund and Nemisz go deep, Kelowna vs Windsor is a likely memorial cup match-up. d

Right now, I'm actually more interested in the Memorial cup than the Stanley cup. I'll be cheering for whoever comes out of the west.

RyZ · 05-04-2009, 01:49 PM

Backlund has once again been named the WHL player of the week. That's twice in the past 3 weeks.

http://www.whl.ca/kelowna-rockets-ba...e-week-p128297

5 goals, 1 assist and a +4 in 3 games last week.

tkflames · 05-04-2009, 08:29 PM

Backlund has unbelievable vision compared to many of his peers here. I am no doubt going to get Flamed for this, but his vision and approach to the game is actually fairly comparable to the Sedins with a bit more of a physical edge. He is a lot of fun to watch and is by far the best player on any team so far in this game. (Seabrook is also having a great game).

KootenayFlamesFan · 05-04-2009, 09:04 PM

1-0 Rockets after one period on a goal by a Flames prospect that plays for Kelowna:

Ryley Grantham. Who'd you think I was talking about?

Shots 10-3 for Kelowna in that period.

FanIn80 · 05-04-2009, 10:22 PM

This has been a pretty good game so far. Backlund definitely stands out when he has the puck.

Kelowna's pretty much just hanging on for life right now though.

FanIn80 · 05-04-2009, 10:33 PM

Wow. What a win. This is crazy.

Can't wait to see Backlund in the Memorial Cup!

justafan · 05-04-2009, 10:35 PM

I agree!