PGT Flames 4 Sabres 1

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Nme-Territory

In regards to Mason Raymond, I've been trying to put a finger on what it is that I don't like about his game.

I think tunnel vision describes it quite well. When he gets the puck, I don't see him as a triple threat; is he going to shoot, pass or skate with it? It seems like he gets the puck and his intentions are instantly clear. There's no shiftiness. I rarely see Raymond look like he wants to shoot and then pass, or look like he wants to pass and then shoot.

He's like a quarterback who always looks at the receiver he wants to pass to. He's got a great set of skills but other players are able to keep the opposition guessing.

Originally Posted by 868904

I've been hard on Raymond, but he had a good game. He and Colborne and Backlund had some good chemistry.

I agree with both of those assessments. Backlund is exactly the opposite - I never know what that guy is going to do, so he may mesh well with Raymond (I actually think Backlund meshes with almost any wingers on this team). Colborne is getting pretty tricky as well, nice stickhandling for a tall guy.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by 868904

I've been hard on Raymond, but he had a good game. He and Colborne and Backlund had some good chemistry.

He was on a line with Jooris and Colborne.

Backlund was centering Jones and Bouma.

[GioforPM]

It's probably the PP with Backlund I'm remembering. Raymond looked OK cycling with him.

[Roof-Daddy]

I thought Raymond looked good last night too.

Also, I love Colborne's game. He is really rounding into form IMO.

I'm not a Glencross hater, but to me Colborne is the anti-Glencross. He's really good at holding onto the puck by using his size, speed, smarts and hands. Really looking forward to seeing how good he might become over the next few years. Not a star player, but a real solid depth piece for a contender.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by 868904

I've been hard on Raymond, but he had a good game. He and Colborne and Backlund had some good chemistry.

Except Raymond, Colborne and Backlund didn't actually play together last night other than one shift I believe.

It was Backlund with Jones and Bouma, Jooris centered Colborne and Raymond.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Lots of positives about this game, even though it was against the lowly Sabres.

Hiller wasn't busy but made some big saves at key times.

Backlund is the kind of player you win a 60 minute game with. He does so many little (and big) things well and always drives the puck up ice without fail.

Credit to Jones, he's gone a stretch of playing good physical hockey and hasn't been injured in the process. His play of late is helping me see how he originally earned that big contract with Colorado.

Brodie had his best game in a long while too. Was constantly skating and making smart plays. There was one shift where he broke up 3 plays at 3 different areas of the ice within 10 seconds.

Then there's Colborne, Raymond, Gaudreau, Diaz... Just a strong effort all round!

[GranteedEV]

Cut 868904 some slack. It's hard to notice who's on a line with Mason "Calgarian Ovechkin" Raymond's rocket from the wing drawing everyone's attention.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by Nme-Territory

In regards to Mason Raymond, I've been trying to put a finger on what it is that I don't like about his game.

I think he had been playing tentative and shy since his return....thought maybe he was still not right. Was hoping the break would help him out and he looked better last night....wait and see.

I try to give returning injured guys the benefit of the doubt....you just never know what they are playing with.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Time for my fave Flames Win drummer girl gif:

So you like drummers, here's one with flaming orange hair.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by Allos

Doesn't she look like David Jones?

Damn you! Now, I can't look at that commercial the same way!

[Resolute 14]

Two things really stood out last night:

The first 40 minutes was a game of two teams waiting for the inevitable. Calgary was waiting for the third to dominate, and Buffalo was dreading the third for the inevitable collapse. Neither disappointed.

Buffalo tried to intimidate Gaudreau in the first period. A lot of hits - a lot of late hits - though nothing vicious. They clearly thought that if they played rough, he would back down. Instead, he parks his ass right on top of the crease and roofs one in some fashion I still haven't determined. The Sabres left him alone after that.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Didn't have time when we got home from the game last night so the standards...

You know what I love about these Hartley .gifs, he isn't just the coach, he comes across like a fan as well. A lot like how Ed Whalen was. The guy was so obviously a fan first in the booth, he was impossible to hate.

It's cool to me Bob has that kind of emotion behind the bench. It bucks the trend of these stoic coaches that just walk off the bench all serious no matter want. Like they are trying to act all cool like they don't care. If I had a coach like Bob, it would be so much more motivating, knowing he's cheering the team in like everyone else adding to the crowd noise.

Bob Hartley has been an absolutely incredible find for the Flames and I am ecstatic we have him for 3 more years.