Just back from the Dome from my first game this year (I've been out of town a lot!). Loved the effort, loved the forecheck which was pretty relentless. A bit of sloppy play gave up that goal, and a few other times we were lucky. In general a pretty good hard-working victory over a talented, if tired, team. The Sharks came on hard in the third and I thought the Flames responded quite well. They bent. They never broke. And they're learning how to be opportunistic.
So far, I'm pretty happy with what Hartley's done with this group of "they'll finish in 30th place" guys. We may not be far of that mark from a points perspective, but the work ethic is undeniable. Great building blocks for next year and beyond.
Whoever complains about losing a top 5 pick because we start to win needs to be banned.
Even with these wins we are still 3rd last. Besides, outside of Ekblad and Reinhart this draft seems pretty blech to me. Kinda similar to last years NBA draft.
Picked tonight for my lower bowl game of the year and had a fantastic night! Ramo was solid and we got to see the kid score. Backlund continued his hot streak, and gio made a great case to join team canada if weber is hurt! Go flames!
Amongst regular NHL defenceman Gio is 5th in points per game, 2nd amongst Canadian defenceman behind Keith. Also a plus player averaging over 25 minutes on a team in second last place.
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Wouldn't it be great if Simmer and Ricky worked with each other?
Seriously though, great effing game. Ramo showed Berra what it takes to make it in the NHL. Backlund must of learned how to skate in the past 24 hours. Monahan is just awesome. Gio now with the longest current point streak in the NHL..
Pretty much everyone but Butler had a good game. Yes, we can officially go back to hating him!! Thank you Butler for making this possible.
I'm really enjoying the Giordano-Brodie pairing right now. I think Gelinas was talking on the Fan960 post game show about their ability to jump into the offensive play but still be the first man back. I think it's outstanding. I'm particularly impressed with Brodie at only 23 years old. He has fantastic vision of the play, great defensive instinct and a developing offensive streak. I was really impressed in his shut down of Brent Burns (who has at least 4 inches on Brodie). If he keeps developing like this I think we will see a very solid top pairing defenseman for many years.
It's really exciting to watch this team and see a new core group of players developing (Brodie, Backlund, Bouma, Monahan, etc.)
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@boringmonahan: Some of the guys said I should be a baseball player after that goal but I said I can't because I'm a hockey player.
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The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Go Flames Go!
Colborne-Monahan stood out. Hartley's comments about Monahan being a franchise player will be proven true eventually, I think. Loved their forecheck tonight and Hudler continues being money.
Whoever complains about losing a top 5 pick because we start to win needs to be banned.
This is what I'm always thinking. Like a while ago when Gio tied it up with 4 seconds or whatever left in the game, that made my friggin week. Who cares about the damn draft? We fell a few spots last year from winning late, but I'm pretty happy with Moneyhands right now.
