[PGT] Flames fall 3-2 in shootout to Chicago.

[BEANZ]

I agress with most posters here that the Flames looked impressive, unfortunately I think that was exaggerated by how poor Chicago played. They were dreadful, I follow them fairly consisently and would say this is one of their worst performances in years. If Calgary could not find a way to win this one I worry what things will be like when they run into teams that are actually firing on all cylinders.

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

That's ok at least they care and losing a game after such dominance does hurt.

Last year losses didn't even hurt anymore, we didn't care.

Oh it still hurt, I guess that's one negative. Everything else was incredible

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

Was at the game, don't think I've ever seen a team as tired as Chicago was for that third period, and somehow the Flames blew it. Moral victories are silly considering the soft start they have been handed. Kipper, Iginla & Cammalleri can feel free to start their seasons.

I remember one. The Tampa Bay Lightning in OT here in Game 6 of the Finals. If it wasn't for an incompetent(prob corrupt) referee in Kerry Fraser missing the easiest tripping call ever we should have been 2 times cup champs.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Jimdon

So we outchanced out played and out shot the opposition and we lost. Moral victories amount to exactly jack squat. You dont make the playoffs on moral victories. You cant trade good efforts in for points. Any other opinions are just fluff.

Correct. Except no one is saying that we got points from this, they're saying future games look more hopeful because of this.

But keep your bleak outlook. The outcome of the season will not shift based on your pessimism or our optimism, we'll just enjoy it more

[Quackjack]

Sometimes I wonder why I am not a Caps fan. But hey, not abandoning my Flames, no matter how bad they suck.

[Fire]

I just wished the Flames start doing a more serious rebuild so at least Flames can have an excuse for losses like this.

[Quackjack]

Originally Posted by Fire

I just wished the Flames start doing a more serious rebuild so at least Flames can have an excuse for losses like this.

True, we shoulda blown this team up a while ago. Hope that Sven kid pans out...

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Quackjack

Sometimes I wonder why I am not a Caps fan. But hey, not abandoning my Flames, no matter how bad they suck.

The Caps have as much, if not more, heartbreak as we do. We at least can say we got a break and won a cup at some point.

[Saqe]

The Flames was clearly a better team and points will come if they keep playing like this. But the time has pretty much ran out if they want to make the playoffs, better get on a winning streak or it´s over. Already played 12,5% of the regular season games :S

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I always thought that B. Sutter was a good coach, and I constantly defended him while he was in Calgary. In a sense, you might be right: B. Sutter quite possibly got more from his Flames teams than the sum of the parts individually had to offer. But when I heard his interviews, interviews with the players, interviews and comments after he and the Flames mutually agreed to part company, I could't help but feel that the problem with Sutter's Flames was not his coaching methods, but rather his delivery. The did not execute, and he could not seem to get them to execute with any consistency under any circumstances. For whatever reason, the players were not all that interested in what Sutter was preaching, and in the end, that is definitely a coaching issue.

With Hartley, and in the first several games of this season, this is certainly an area in which I think we have seen the most dramatic change, and this seems like an extension of Hartley's personality. He has an infectious enthusiasm and optimistic persona that endears people to him: his players appear to want to do what he is asking them to do like they haven't wanted anything in the past three, four, six(?!) years. So, while we can debate the effectiveness of Hartley's game plan and his system when it is compared to Sutter's, I don't think there is any denying that his presence and his leadership is paying big dividends right now. They don't show up in the results, but this team is eminently more watchable, and unlike B. Sutter's teams most nights, they look engaged and well positioned to compete and to win. Bingo keeps saying that this is part of the process, and right now I think the team is in the process of finding their "identity"—taking on the characteristics of their coach. This could prove to be very beneficial down the road. We may not see the results now on the scoreboard, but I think that the shift in attitude, desire, and excitement that we see on the ice bodes well for the future.

In short, I think Hartley understands his players much better than Brent ever did, and it absolutely makes the team much more likeable than it has been in years.

The loss is disappointing. But I'm nevertheless finding it difficult to be all that upset. I'm just excited to see the next game, moreso than I have been in a long time.

Great post. I remember Sutter's first season and the flames got off to a good start in the first 25 games. After most wins Sutter would complain that they were not following his system correctly. Must have been hard on the players when winning = no fun and losing = no fun. Sutter was a good coach but way to stuborn.

Also realising the effect that Sutter's system had on some players and there trade value. Stajan might have had trade value if given the chance. Bouw would have had a lot more trade value. Backlund would probably be a much better offensive player now, if played correctly the last couple of years. I just could not see Hudler or Cervenka playing well under Sutter's system.

[LouCypher]

Many games its easy to say nice to get a point but we had one almost stolen from us last night when we deserved 2. Overall play and level of compete was pretty amazing...if they can keep this up they will win the games and make it in. All about consistency and team performance, even their center ice situation hasn't really hurt them that much. Frustrating game but hopefully a sign of a better fate to come. Still in their hands.

[Joborule]

Flames dominated that game, but had no finish. A good team should win that game, whereas that's how bad teams lose games. I think that's going to be the issue for the Flames; can make chances, but can't convert and/or ultimately lose the game; which I can tolerate as long as the effort is there.

[bubbsy]

Flames really burning through early opportunities to get points. Of the 6 games played, all but one were home games, and how many of those games were versus teams playing the second of a back to back, and/or 3 games in 4 nights.

Yes, the effort should be applauded, however, 1 win in 6 games is essentially failure for the franchise. When you consider the shortened season, the fact that the flames have played more than 12% of the total season and have only 1 win over that period, pretty disappointing for sure.

Hopefully the team keeps their spirits high, and keeps up their enthusiasm with the hope that if they play this hard, maybe they'll start to win some games.

Curious to know when teams like the flames start hitting the panic button in this shortened season (10 game mark, 20 game mark)?

[boggledepot]

Originally Posted by BEANZ

I agress with most posters here that the Flames looked impressive, unfortunately I think that was exaggerated by how poor Chicago played. They were dreadful, I follow them fairly consisently and would say this is one of their worst performances in years. If Calgary could not find a way to win this one I worry what things will be like when they run into teams that are actually firing on all cylinders.

Ray Emery certainly wasn't dreadful. But remember in the CBC broadcast after the first, it was reported Chicago believed they played pretty well, while the rest of the commentators were curious how both teams felt about their performance. I found the game to be pretty even in the first, with a slight edge to the Flames. The Flames, actually, improved their play in the second. And the Blackhawks lost their legs in the third, but I think there system, experience, goalie, and a bit good fortune got them the win. It was Ray Emery's night though. He got the start on a nationally televised Saturday night game, and came up huge. It's actually of one of those fairy tale sports stories.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers;4051337[B

]I prefer winning, that is the only thing I care about. [/B]I have gone to two games this year, San Jose and Edmonton. My next game is Minnesota. I prefer winning, I could careless about losing and being "entertained". I do not know a single season ticket holder who shows up for games to be entertained in a losing effort. Last season if you went to all 41 home games and winning was your criteria it was not a bad year with the Flames finishing 11 games over .500 at home. This year not so good with the Flames being 2 games under at home.

That being said, personally I am fine with them losing this year and being entertained. That is because I believe that Sutter got more wins out of this team than was actually there, they outperformed what their actual abilities were last year. As such, I do not think the Flames have a hope for the playoffs and I think that a rebuild is desperately needed in Calgary and will probably come after this season when this team regresses more towards the mean in terms of what they actually are, a slightly below .500 hockey club at the end of the season. If I had to take an educated guess this team will be 3-5-2 after the first ten games, might even be as bad as 2-6-2 as the only game that should be a for sure win is against the Blue Jackets. Such a record might spur on the hockey decisions that in my opinion need to be made.

I have a 6 year old nephew who thinks the same way, I try to explain to him that the effort is just as important as the result.

No one on earth would say the Flames didn't deserve to win that game, and if they continue play anywhere close to that, they will do just fine.

I was very proud of them last night, they played with skill, heart, and emotion.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

haha let it go, Christ you still have idiots on here blaming this years team on the horrible traits that Brent instilled in the team. I would just like a consistent standard, how did the Flames go from "Should have been a playoff team in 11/12 to geez just glad to be entertained in 12/13"?

because actual wins and losses were not the true metric in getting rid of Sutter.

[Azure]

What more can you ask? Hell of an effort. Glencross and Iggy are snake-bitten right now. The goals will come eventually. Glencross should be on pace for 50 in the 48 game season though.

One other thing. At this point TJ Brodie is a better defensemen than Mark Giordano.

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by Quackjack

Sometimes I wonder why I am not a Caps fan. But hey, not abandoning my Flames, no matter how bad they suck.

Why? My uncle's a Caps fan and I don't envy him. They might have Ovechkin now but they've had a lot of heartbreaking stories in the past.

[AR_Six]

Only the Flames could completely dominate a game, outshoot the opposition 47-19, score a go ahead goal with 34 seconds left, and lose.

On the Blackhawks side that's 3 straight shootouts they've been in. More importantly though, I get the scoring depth idea but if they put Kane / Toews / Hossa as a line it would probably be the best in the league. Every power play should have those 3 guys plus Sharp and Keith playing 1:30+ of it. If you have any faith in small 8 game samples, Hossa might be the best player in the world right now. He's at the top of the game offensively and backchecks like Datsyuk.

[moon]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

I would just like a consistent standard, how did the Flames go from "Should have been a playoff team in 11/12 to geez just glad to be entertained in 12/13"?

It seems to be the standard response for fans of bad teams.

It was the main point of Oiler fans for the past 3-5 years while their team was garbage that they were "much happier" watching the Oilers play "exciting" and lose than watch a boring team like Nashville or Phoenix even though they made play-offs.

A lot of Flames fans are transitioning to the same mentality that Oiler fans had during their crap years (outside of the cheering for last place) so not too surprising that the "excitement" factor is now being overblown.