[PGT] Poor goaltending does the team in .... AGAIN. Flames lose 6-4 to the Bruins.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Okay, gotcha. I was going to say if fans are upset with losing hockey this season would be a really bad time to show that frustration. Elite team, lots of wins, fun to watch.

Yeah but we know how rare it is to have a team like this so allowing this to continue to fester is not to sit well. We aren’t the Red Wings. Making the playoffs most years is not a given. When Johnny’s contracts ends we could be back to mediocre pretty quick and I don’t feel like wasting any more time of that window waiting for a 37 year old who this franchise has no emotion attachment to “find his game”.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Sure, but if Rittich is not ready to go on Saturday.. you would think competent management will give Gillies a shot, no?

What's the worse he can do? Allow 3 bad goals instead of 2. At least we will have a clear idea on Gillies moving forward.

I’d start Gillies in the next one if Rittich isn’t ready to go, completely agree.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

If Smith's woes looked mechanical / instructional in nature, I would have some hope. However, it looks like he's lost in his head. He does the frustrated head shake immediately after the soft goals because it was exactly what he feared as the skater headed towards him.

BT is going to have to dig into his pocket to fix this situation. Having a starter showing himself even incapable of being a backup is a disappointing reason to ship out a prospect or pick.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Smith said “we got off to a slow start”. Is he blind? We were flying until he that first garbage goal.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Sounds like you and I are close to the same age then (I’m guessing I’m a tad older than you based on your timeline) and have lived and breathed the same ups and down with this team for our entire lives. But what does that have to do with anything?

Surprised that a fellow Flames fan who has lived with the limited success of this franchise, especially since the end of 80’s could have such a strong season with some very amazing performances ruined evertime our goalie ####s the bed. You more than anyone should know we aren’t in first place thus far into a season very often, and we rarely get treated to such an offensive dynamic team in Calgary, and you should also know you don’t win them all. Don’t let one player ruin a season you must have been waiting like me for close to 10 years and enjoy the ride and hope BT finds a solution for the Smith problem. Must suck not be fully enjoy a very rare and cool Flames season cause you are overly focused on one player.

Who says I'm not enjoying the Flames this season? I just don't need to pay $100 to watch a guy who should be in my beer league play the most important position on the ice.

Like I said, when Smith is in net I will watch on TV...now if he was playing goal for the other team, I would pay to see that.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I’d start Gillies in the next one if Rittich isn’t ready to go, completely agree.

I wouldn’t rush Rittich back for the game on Saturday either. A game against another eastern team is one I would rather throw Gillies in and see what he can do. If we are going to lose I would rather it be the other conference.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I am not trying to argue with you for the sake of arguing but he isnt necessarily wrong.

37 year old goalie who has no term left on his contract. Has played 1/2 a season at a high level with the Flames. I have no loyalty to him.

Of course you don't. I wouldn't expect that you would since I also suspect that you have never even met the guy, let alone worked with him or developed any sort of professional or personal relationship with him. But management, coaches and fellow players do not have that luxury. Regardless of what happens with Smith I am confident that the team is going to do their utmost to handle the situation with total professionalism, and not with deliberate malice.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

I just don't get it. This is a guy with years of NHL experience and decent stats. Now it seems he can't even track a simple shot and is constantly fighting the puck all game. He seems so awkward and out of it. Come to think of it I could say the same for Neal. Really bizarre to me.

Gotta be the equipment change. Shots are consistently going through him. Shots are slipping through his arms like they never have before and you can see that teams are exploiting this. They’re purposely targeting his body. I can’t even recall seeing any significant glove saves he’s made this season.

This is why the Flames need to find a replacement. The opposition is taking advantage of this team’s persistence and stubbornness to get Mike Smith “going” while the rest of the hockey world laughs at us and the opposition salivates at their chance to shoot at Mike Smith from everywhere and anywhere.

[You Need a Thneed]

12 wins and 10 losses isn’t good enough goaltending with this team in front of him. The team has bailed him out of a few games too (Philly game for example - where Smith gave up what might have been the worst goal EVER given up in the history of the league).

[David Struch]

First goal was weak, Smith very deep in his net. (it's like Smith knew it was a goal before it went in, he should have been pulled, no confidence)

Second goal was a long shot but was tipped.

Third goal another long shot and tip.

Fourth goal, Smith was handcuffed, again no confidence (why wasn't he pulled here?)

Fifth goal, Smith is not confident at all, his reaction to the shot was slouchy.

Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrzA...feature=onebox

[dino7c]

One positive note and then I will go

Gaudreau is a ####ing superstar, what an amazing player. Setting up guys left and right all night long.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by dino7c

One positive note and then I will go

Gaudreau is a ####ing superstar, what an amazing player. Setting up guys left and right all night long.

Worth the price of admission each night.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Gotta be the equipment change. Shots are consistently going through him. Shots are slipping through his arms like they never have before and you can see that teams are exploiting this. They’re purposely targeting his body. I can’t even recall seeing any significant glove saves he’s made this season.

This is why the Flames need to find a replacement. The opposition is taking advantage of this team’s persistence and stubbornness to get Mike Smith “going” while the rest of the hockey world laughs at us and the opposition salivates at their chance to shoot at Mike Smith from everywhere and anywhere.

That was the start of it for sure, but now its just a confidence thing....he has zero.

He needs a re-set, but it simply isnt happening here or now and maybe not even this season. Add his age to things and chances are pretty good he is finished all together.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Who says I'm not enjoying the Flames this season? I just don't need to pay $100 to watch a guy who should be in my beer league play the most important position on the ice.

Like I said, when Smith is in net I will watch on TV...now if he was playing goal for the other team, I would pay to see that.

I’ll never question anyone who doesn’t want or can’t she’ll out the dough for games, they are expensive. But based on your comments, sounds like you are saying you would be, as long as Smith ain’t in net. I prefer Rittich too, but for me my point still remains. If you’d be willing to shell out the cash except for Smith, then I still think you are overly focusing your enjoyment and the value of you $100 on him. Way too many other entertaining players to watch this year IMO that im finding it hard myself to believe one guy would make it not worth it for you.

You aren’t wrong though, no one else can say what creates or takes away value or enjoyment for you, that’s 100% personal opinion. To me though tgat just indicates you’d be enjoying this more if you did let Smith be such a key factor in your entertainment.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

(Philly game for example - where Smith gave up what might have been the worst goal EVER given up in the history of the league).

It was bad but I wouldn't go that far.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Yeah but we know how rare it is to have a team like this so allowing this to continue to fester is not to sit well. We aren’t the Red Wings. Making the playoffs most years is not a given. When Johnny’s contracts ends we could be back to mediocre pretty quick and I don’t feel like wasting any more time of that window waiting for a 37 year old who this franchise has no emotion attachment to “find his game”.

Yeah, I know. I know the struggles. I know the issues.

Must we always try to bring down anyone who has a modicum of positivity? All I said is that this is an elite, fun team to watch. That's it. It's not really a controversial comment. You really don't need to bring up Smith's struggles any time someone says something positive about the team. It's exhausting.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Gotta be the equipment change.

I agree with this. Smith's go-to technique has always been to get in approximately the right place and make himself big. The new equipment significantly limits his ability to do that. At his age, he can't use his reflexes to compensate.

This also, to my mind, is a reason not to blame Treliving too much for getting Smith in the first place. At the time of the trade, he had no way of knowing that those particular rule changes were coming as soon as they did.

[bigrangy]

Also,


wow did the Bruins ever knock it out of the park with Debrusk and Carlo. Those two guys are fantastic young players.


Makes it even more baffling how they passed on Barzal/Chabot/Connor/Kylington for the two guys they picked at 13 and 15 that year.

[CrazyCaper]

One of the biggest differences between Smith and Rittich is that Rittich will own up to a bad performance or if he has a bad night. Smith will always say "We had an off night". He'll never say "I have to be better in there for the boys". Maybe it's just my observation.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Smith has always been just an average goaltender. He had a couple good seasons and one great one, but over his career he’s just middle of the road. He’s older now though and slower and when you combine that with smaller equipment it’s a recipe for disaster. I highly
doubt he’s on an NHL roster next year.