[PGT] Ducks 3 @ Flames 4 - Yeaaaaaahhhhhh Baby!!!

[troutman]

[codynw]

[FlamesAddiction]

Gaudreau was really impressive at times last night.

I have no doubt that he could rack up more points if he played an "Oilers" style of game, but it is clear that he is willing to play lunch-box hockey and be a cog when he needs to be, instead of just an spotlight offensive player.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Gaudreau was really impressive at times last night.

I have no doubt that he could rack up more points if he played an "Oilers" style of game, but it is clear that he is willing to play lunch-box hockey and be a cog when he needs to be, instead of just an spotlight offensive player.

His hockey IQ is insane, both offensively and defensively. On Wideman's second goal he knew that with Byron pressuring the dmen would go to Vatanen and then just out worked him for the puck. When he broke up that play near the end of the game he couldn't have been in a better position

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by SebC

SebC wins the thread.

[hummdeedoo]

I think the Flames fitness level showed up last night. Seems pretty obvious after 20 games that they have more left in the tank going into the 3rd periods than most other teams - and advanced stats bear this out - Flames lead the league in 3rd period goals.

As for the lack of size issue - Yes Anaheim won most of the board battles in the first 2 periods - but that didn't translate that into a ton of good opportunities - shots maybe - but not grade A scoring chances.

Playoff hockey is different esp. the first 2 rounds - very physical. Hope the Flames make the post season and we get a chance to see the current line in some playoff games.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by zukes

Must have been OT, it was a 1-0 loss to Philly anyway.

The game I was thinking about happened the year after the lock-out and was the first 0-0 game that went to a shoot-out. I'll have to go back and read the 2003-2004 Flames book I have, I know there was a game when the light went on and I started to believe....maybe have been the OT win over Philly...either way, this is so awesome!

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Flames89

Also, where is the gif of a bouncing Hiller?

Reply #142 in this thread.

[Gaudfather]

Translation - I'll either find a way or I'll make one!

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by wwkayaker

Kalispell? Drinks if I get to Whitefish this winter.

Stupidly, I'm back in Kansas.

Hoping to move back permanently in 2016.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Rhett Warrener a few minutes ago dismissed the win.

He claims that Anaheim showed in the first two periods that they can impose their will, control the game, and the Flames couldn't handle their size and strength along the wall and in the corners.

Interesting. Can we then counter argue that in the third period the Flames showed that Anaheim can't contain their speed and puck movement from the backend, through the neutral zone, and in the middle of the ice?

I found myself thinking after the second that the Flames were not big enough nor strong enough to play with the Ducks. In the third period, they made it look easy. I am starting to think that "getting pushed around" in the big, heavy Western Conference is not going to be much of an issue for this team.

That is basically what I thought when I heard it. Ultimately, it's going to take some time until the frame of reference around this team shifts into a new context.

Case in point: instead of saying that the Flames were pushed around for 40 minutes, we could also say that Anaheim needs to learn to play 60 minutes.

Or better yet, against an elite team like the Flames, Anaheim needs to play a full 60 if they want the win.


Obviously that's not the synopses we're getting. Right now most people are intrinsically accepting the Flames as inferior, and letting those biases enter into their appraisals. I expect this stance from outsiders to continue well into next season.

[Locke]

Kesler is complete clownshoes.

[Textcritic]

I know this is really early, but it did just dawn on me: If this team makes the playoffs, theoretically, Sam Bennett could be available to them to use.

So then, when he is healthy again in February or March,what do the Flames do if they are still hanging with the pack? Does Sam Bennett get returned to Juniour regardless of the place of the Flames in the standings? Or does he stay with the team?

[Tron_fdc]

Was it an Anaheim defensive thing (I don't watch them play a lot) or were they backing off when Gio/Brody were coming up the ice? It seemed like every time they had the puck they went into ultra-trap and sat across the red line.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I know this is really early, but it did just dawn on me: If this team makes the playoffs, theoretically, Sam Bennet could be available to them to use.

So then, when he is healthy again in February or March,what do the Flames do if they are still hanging with the pack? Does Sam Bennett get returned to Juniour regardless of the place of the Flames in the standings? Or does he stay with the team?

I think we still let him return to Junior. We're doing fine with what we've got, especially with Backlund and Stajan out. Let Bennett find his game back in juniors and get himself prepared to make the team next year.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I know this is really early, but it did just dawn on me: If this team makes the playoffs, theoretically, Sam Bennet could be available to them to use.

So then, when he is healthy again in February or March,what do the Flames do if they are still hanging with the pack? Does Sam Bennett get returned to Juniour regardless of the place of the Flames in the standings? Or does he stay with the team?

Send him to Junior for conditioning, bring him up for the final 9 games of the season and playoffs.

I think LA did the same with Tyler Toffoli didn't they?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Locke

Kesler is complete clownshoes.

At least he didn't try to injure someone after the final buzzer. Again.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Send him to Junior for conditioning, bring him up for the final 9 games of the season and playoffs.

I think LA did the same with Tyler Toffoli didn't they?

Nope. Once he is sent to junior, he stays there until his junior season ends.

They could send Bennett to Adirondack for conditioning for up to two weeks, but Sam's long-term development is far more important. Send him to junior where he can get back up to speed against boys his age rather than men who skate faster and hit harder.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I know this is really early, but it did just dawn on me: If this team makes the playoffs, theoretically, Sam Bennett could be available to them to use.

So then, when he is healthy again in February or March,what do the Flames do if they are still hanging with the pack? Does Sam Bennett get returned to Juniour regardless of the place of the Flames in the standings? Or does he stay with the team?

I'm inclined to say: send him to Juniors, he rehabbing a shoulder.

But...IF the team makes the playoffs....I'd say anything is possible.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The most amazing thing about that play, IMO, was that the Flames went off on a poor line change and ANA were entering the zone 4 on 2. If you watch at the top of the screen to start the play, you can see Gaudreau recognizes this, hops over the boards, and immediately goes full speed on the back-check. It is that immediate recognition, and the effort and speed, that allowed him to catch up to the paly and intercept the pass.

Then when he sling-shotted around the net, he was absolutely flying! I thought they were going to get the winner on that play for sure.

They also should have won it on Brodie's rebound. Unlucky there. It should never have gone to a shoot-out.

To spread the love, you can see that both Gaudreau and Granlund get on their horse the minute they hop the boards.

Love the work ethic. You can see these guys are itching to play and want to win.