Quote:
Originally Posted by Don't Toews Me Bro
Do you guys think it's to soon to buy a Bennett jersey? I've only seen two games with him so far but damn has he impressed me. I really enjoy watching his tenacity combined with slick hands and high IQ.
I can just envision him becoming a fan favorite
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It is more than likely that he gets a new number next season. With that being said, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting his 'rookie number' on your jersey. I think the Iginla ones are great.
If the Flames get around to changing their jersey in the future (which will eventually happen), you can always pick up a new one then with his new number. You can always wear the old one, and I don't think it will ever look bad.
Besides, some fans will stop you and try and 'correct you' on what Bennett's number is, and you can just correct them back
As for the game tonight, it will be very interesting to see what the Canucks do. The ball is in the Canuck's corner. They did an EXCELLENT job neutralizing the stretch pass on the Flames for the first period. Flames responded by just using their dominating speed to.. well.. dominate. Vancouver didn't seem to have much of a response for that.
Flames are a very difficult team to contain because they can:
1) Counter-attack with their stretch passes and create odd-man rushes.
2) Counter-attack with their short passing plays for zone entries
3) Just use their blazing speed and carry the puck in
If the other team cheats and tries to hold the line or be aggressive, Flames just chip it in and again use their speed to get to the pucks first. What the Flames do try to avoid - unless it is the Ferland - Stajan - Jones line - is cycle the puck. Vancouver is a much better cycling team. For as much as I hate the pansy Sedins, they are lethal off the cycle and on their set-passing plays.
I don't envy Dejardins. He has his work cut out for him. Flames seem to have a few options open in getting by whatever system Dejardins implements (that I can see anyways). Though the last game was fairly even in shots, I really think that doesn't do the Canucks any favors. Flames are the quintessential counter-attack team that relies on springing odd-man rushes. It explains why their CORSI looks terrible, why their high shooting percentage exists, and why their PDO (honestly, I think this is an irrelevant stat in every sense of the word) is so high. Flames know they don't have the size to be a legitimate puck-possession team - teams that generate on the cycle I think put up much better numbers in that regard. Their entire system is based on the counter-attack.
However, guys who really believe in CORSI will just roll their eyes and say: "That is the same excuse every other team made like the Avs, Toronto, etc.". Just maybe those teams didn't have the depth, or the belief, or the non-stop motors and speed that the Flames do to pull it off consistently? Unsustainable I guess. With LA out, Calgary in, Montreal up there in the standings, and a few more 'exceptions' every year that would be completely unacceptable for a confidence interval to any actuarial science graduate, I just simply stopped believing that CORSI is anything more than just an interesting stat that helps describe events.
I haven't ever looked at Hartley as being this brilliant line-matching tactician. However, he is absolutely schooling Dejardins at the moment. Experience is really showing between the coaching staffs.
With that being said, this series is anything but over. It should be a long and difficult series for both teams. Definitely a treat for both fanbases - win or lose (but OMG please win another three since it is completely awesome!).
Vancouver is missing Kassian. I think in a playoff series, guys with that grit level really shine. They do so much to help wear out the other team. I think Kassian is so overrated and has horrible IQ, but he definitely would be making the Canucks a bit more tough. Still, I hope he gets into a game or two - I can see Ferland just destroying him.
So many heroes last game. I don't know if I could really point at a single player and say: "I hope Hartley replaces him with 'x' tonight" at all. Maybe Potter - his minutes were incredibly low (goon-type numbers - if that is the case, I would have preferred the Flames signed Yonkman and played him as a goon!). Maybe Wotherspoon or Ramage can suit up instead? Maybe even Kulak - though he is a bit more raw.
The playoffs are all about 'heroes'. Guys that step it up and make an impact on the game. Your top line players, or your bottom line/injury replacement players. Flames in '04 had so many heroes stepping up that you would never expected. Montador! Simon! Niemenen! Every game was a different hero.
Tonight's heroes I predict will be Gaudreau (was starting to turn it up), Engelland (this guy was considered a horrible contract, and I am now of the opinion that he is actually out-performing that contract!), and Backlund!
I fricken love this team.
