[CP Story] Rebuild Gravy

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2015/04/rebuild-gravy/

Comments always welcomed

[OldDutch]

Great article as always. After that win in Game 1 I said enthusiastically to my wife "Canucks are f@#ked, that was their game to win. The kids will only get better after the nerves die down."

Not bringing that up to pat myself on the back, as this series is still not over. However, watching them this season it is clear the youth on this team is A+ quality. Not necessarily in skill, but in how they are willing to play hard, listen and learn. They are not making bad mistakes over and over as most youth do when frustrated and put against a hard opponent. They are cool and calm, and adapt. That is why they are here.

Just an amazing bunch of players. Their maturity is astounding for being so young. As you said in the end, this is a solid core going forward. The gravy being they are all very young. Flames have a great future indeed.

[DoubleK]

Good analysis.

I share your opinion on Wotherspoon. The ice time for the big 3 is not sustainable in the long term, would be nice to get 10 quality minutes out of our #6 guy be it Potter or Wotherspoon.

[drewtastic]

Awesome write-up, Bingo!

At the game on Tuesday, my Dad and I were discussing the fact that it's just nice to have a team that works so hard all the time. Limitless effort and energy.

I don't even feel nervous for games anymore--the Flames' playing style has made this season as enjoyable as waiting for, and then watching, new episodes of "Breaking Bad" was. Full entertainment value, like a quality series, book, movie or concert.

Even if the Canucks come back to "1994" us, that would also be "gravy" in the sense that:
(a) we would be guaranteed 3 more games of watching this team, and;
(b) we'd get the satisfaction of watching an under-performing and fragile Canucks team play another big, fast, bruising Californian team--the Canuck-equivalent of kryptonite.

The whole situation, and ANY of its potential outcomes, are so overwhelmingly positive, that I have been hugging myself all day in front of my Canucks-fan co-worker. (He doesn't share the same warm-fuzzy feeling I have, for some reason, so he won't reciprocate the joy via hugs. His loss.)

[The Yen Man]

Mmm, gravy...now I feel like a poutine.

I'm with Bingo in that everytime Calgary went over a hurdle this season, I kept moving the goal posts and wanting more. Now I'll be disappointed if we don't make the second round.

Ultimately, I'm still super happy with how the season has gone regardless of what happens. It just won't feel like it for the shorterm immediately after if we lose out in the playoffs. But that's ok, that's what playoffs are all about. The chance for something great.

GFG!

[nik-]

The best thing about rebuild gravy is how extra salty it seems to taste to Vancouver and Edmonton fans.

[SuperMatt18]

At first just making the playoffs was gravy for me... then we played the Canucks first round and it became a must win.

If we win, anything after this is probably gravy now.

[Dienasty]

You should have the paragraphs after the table showing rookies/GP/points in front, that way people will know what the table is trying to present. Then after the table explain the point you are trying to make. Just moving the following paragraph and altering it a bit should work.

"Four rookies sit atop the rookie scoring race, and the Flames have two of the four."
I think you want to take out the bolded "rookie" above

Overall entertaining article, thanks!

[Geeoff]

The gravy seems like the meal to me. Playoffs are the best

[devo22]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

As you said in the end, this is a solid core going forward. The gravy being they are all very young. Flames have a great future indeed.

yup.



great article as always Bingo!

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

At first just making the playoffs was gravy for me... then we played the Canucks first round and it became a must win.

If we win, anything after this is probably gravy now.

Until the Flames split against the Ducks in California...looking like the faster and more determined team in their win.

Then we will all get greedy again and want more WINS on home ice!

And when that happens, we'll want a crack at the Conference Finals!

LOL! That's how it works. The greed just escalates. But no matter what, when we look back this has been the best season since '04. Just awesome.

[JiriHrdina]

I think you nailed it. There are two reasons to be excited about this run.
1. The experience that it is providing the young players
2. The additional level a lot of the young players are showing.

Look at TJ Brodie. As optimistic as I have been about him - seeing him step up to a new level AGAIN this post-season now makes me wonder what the ceiling really is. The part of my brain that gets too excited whispers the words "Norris candidate" in the back of my brain.
Why not?

[GreenLantern]

Similar to 04, there are no expectations for this run. Go as far as you can go and anything is considered a success at this point.

A team playing like that with this kind of energy is a dangerous combination.

Great write up.

[Buster]

Maybe we ought to stop calling 14-15 a "rebuild" year.

[jemjey]

Great write up, thanks for taking the time. I'm the type of person always looking for more flames stuff (especially on game days) so you and Cali flames fan are my heroes.

Only thing I'd add: Stanley isn't THAT unlikely! Have faith my brothers!! We're one win away from being in the top 8! Now I know we're a massive underdog BUT we have been all year - and the guys have shown the ability to win. I've been saying it since september, we're a helluva better team than people give us credit for, and I think this is the last year we'll really be able to capitalize on that - teams are gonna catch on - especially after we win the cup .

[FBI]

I seriously am still in shock that we are doing so well.. If we win round 1, that will be so sweet and unbelievable.. I would think Ducks in 5 after that but this season has been so awesome, you never know.

[Roof-Daddy]

In 2004 I was just happy to be in the playoffs.

A round 1 win was possible against Van, but I was just happy watching the Flames in the playoffs.

Then we beat the Canucks in game 7 overtime, and THAT was good enough.....no way were the Flames going to take out powerhouse Detroit, no frickin way.

...and on and on it went.

[Bingo]

Hey I'm fully willing to move the goal posts again!

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTitan

Until the Flames split against the Ducks in California...looking like the faster and more determined team in their win.

Then we will all get gravy again and want more WINS on home ice!

And when that happens, we'll want a crack at the Conference Gravy!

LOL! That's how it works. The gravy just escalates. But no matter what, when we look back this has been the best seasoned gravy since '04. Just awesome sauce.

Must be re-expressed using gravy words.

I'll add that when they pull the Stanley Gravy off the shelves we'll be disappointed, sure, but look back and realize the seasoned gravy was actually pretty darned good!

[Enoch Root]

great write-up

I am hoping and expecting that Wotherspoon's minutes will slowly but steadily creep upwards towards 10 minutes or so.

It is the coaching staff's modus operandi to ease young players into higher minutes as they demonstrate the ability to handle them. I thought he looked solid last game and his confidence should only continue to rise.