Why is it this team seems to win in early April when there is an early draft choice on the line and lose in October when the playoffs are still a possibility? Team character is starting to be questioned.
This teams preparation is not up to par obviously. Back in April, many Flames invites to the World championships (IIHF) refused the invite. Except for Backlund and maybe a few other fringe players. Both championships were sprinkled with Oilers (who are very ready at the start of Oct). Seems character isn't just developed between Oct and April.
Johnston put in a very good effort last night. However it is tough to win when the 3 goals that were scored were by the other team. One to put the goal in their own net, the other to tie it up, and the last one to knot the win. Of course, we passed on signing our best shoot out man Colbourne, who was showing signs of being a good power forward. I knew that would cost us a few wins. I never pointed a finger at Ramo last year, because I knew it wasn't just goaltending, our other tenders deserved criticism. We now have a goaltender used to good defense in front of him in Elliot, and a tender used to a bad team in front of him (Johnston). Makes sense that Johnston is our standout in net so far.
Too often I saw forwards jumbled together, individual game play was everywhere, passes to covered players or just plain bad passes. Defenseman jumping when they shouldn't be jumping. Grossman obviously sitting because of just that reason.
This could be a long year for us, just to barely not make the playoffs in April because of the win streak that seems to inevitably come every April to save a few jobs and push us out a few draft positions. I hope I'm wrong.
Lose in October, Win in April?
