Following Winterhawks and prospects in the WHL playoffs!

[Roof-Daddy]

I'd rather Sven play AHL playoffs as opposed to CHL playoffs, so if they lose so be it.

Get him an ATO, and get him to Abby.

[Samiz]

Originally Posted by dino7c

don't get too discouraged it is junior hockey afterall...you think Nail's stock dropped because they got worked in the first round?

Stock is irrelevant. We've already drafted Baertschi and any success that he achieves will help him as a player, and by proxy it will help the Flames team in the future.

[Stay Golden]

dissapointing melt down up 5 -2 going into the 3rd and lose 7-6. Portland has let this series slip away. Were they not up 3-1 in the series and now its 3-3. What a shame.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

dissapointing melt down up 5 -2 going into the 3rd and lose 7-6. Portland has let this series slip away. Were they not up 3-1 in the series and now its 3-3. What a shame.

They were up 3-0 in the series, and 4-0 in game 4 before the epic collapse started.

[eddly]

Gotta love junior hockey. Go Blazers.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by getbak

They were up 3-0 in the series, and 4-0 in game 4 before the epic collapse started.

that stinks this coach has no control of this team to allow this to get to such a downward spiral. Hats off to Kamloops but what a serious meltdown.
When your up 5-2 going into the 3rd and you can eliminate the opposition, just lock it down. Too much run and gun is what that tells me even though I have only been able to watch 1 game.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Does anyone else look at the game summary, see that Baertschi ONLY got an assist, and feel disappointed?

Stupid Baertschi and his point per game pace. He should be better

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Samiz

Stock is irrelevant. We've already drafted Baertschi and any success that he achieves will help him as a player, and by proxy it will help the Flames team in the future.

just saying don't get too bent outta shape about it

[Red John]

Just got back from one of the best games seen live personally.

Winterhawks were dominant in going up 5-2 with 14 minutes left, but the Blazers rally to tie the game, then go up 6-5, give up the tying goal seconds later, then win it with 20 seconds left.

Crowd was almost as loud as a NHL rink...believe it or not. First time in my life seen a team salute the fans, leave the ice, and nobody left the building! The Blazers had to bring the entire team back out for an "encore" 5 minutes later.

Managed to grab some YouTube footage from the last few seconds, will post up later.

Only one team in WHL history has come back from 0-3 down to win...Kamloops is 60 minutes away from becoming number two.

Oh and getting to the part CP cares about...Sven Baertschi. Had a beautiful setup on a goal but was very quiet other times. Fell awkwardly at the end of the 2nd and came back to the bench very slowly, and appeared frustrated/upset smashing his stick. Most dangerous Winterhawk was actually Brad Ross, Pouliot, and a youngster named Taylor Leier who could be a star in the NHL one day.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Epic collapse by the Hawks. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise so we can see Bartschi play for the Heat if hes eligible.

[Street Pharmacist]

Last goal all on Sven. Gave it away by forcing a pass into a defenceman's skates across his zone instead of up the ice while the Blazers were forechecking like crazy. Then he turned off the high man with the puck who scored for some reason. Lots to like with his ability to carry the puck and his vision, but he seems to be a little lost and chasing in his own zone. He was on the ice for virtually every goal against, and many of them were shots from the point. On the other hand, he was by a mike the hardest back checking forward, but once the Blazers set up it was a gong show. I didn't count them, but i don't believe and Blazers goals were scored off the rush.

The second least goal was off an awful Wotherspoon giveaway in his own end, then poor net presence by both defensemen. Then Smith gets it by the side of the net and no one is close to him our goes after him. He slowly shared to the net and went around the goalie. Wotherspoon seems solid on his skates, and can take a hit fairly well. He can't pass or shoot very well though, so I could see that being a problem.

Pouliot was not as impressive this game but was still amazing. He seems to carry the puck so well and like all good defencemen he doesn't panic. His offensive instincts are something I haven't seem before. He rushes the puck and the forwards seamlessly cover. Cool to watch.

Another GREAT game to see live

[Resolute 14]

"I hope Portland loses"

It is amazing to me how many Flames fans legitimately desire failure these days.

I would much rather Baertschi be a big part of a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup than a bit part on a probable short run in the AHL.

[Red_Baron]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

"I hope Portland loses"

It is amazing to me how many Flames fans legitimately desire failure these days.

I would much rather Baertschi be a big part of a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup than a bit part on a probable short run in the AHL.

I grew up watching the Blazers and I want them to win so yes, I hope Portland loses.

[Red John]

Audio highlights from game...insane. Starts at the 2:25 mark

http://soundcloud.com/tgostelow/blazertrain


Full video highlights

http://www.blazerhockey.com/video/in...4e2cc670ec4a78


Some clips of the crowd after the game

http://www.blazerhockey.com/video/in...9d2eab6abb79ab

Last 20 seconds - crowd reaction after the winner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58JwBlGMNWE

[Red_Baron]

Originally Posted by Red John

Audio highlights from game...insane. Starts at the 2:25 mark

http://soundcloud.com/tgostelow/blazertrain


Full video highlights

http://www.blazerhockey.com/video/in...4e2cc670ec4a78


Some clips of the crowd after the game

http://www.blazerhockey.com/video/in...9d2eab6abb79ab

Last 20 seconds - crowd reaction after the winner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58JwBlGMNWE

Those clips bring back fond memories.
This is more emotion than we saw with the dominant teams of the early 90's and is such a contrast to the subdued crowds of the late 90's up until this year.

[Street Pharmacist]

Biggest problem with going to the Blazers games has typically been the atmosphere. The crowd is literally 50% fifty years or older. They clap in between whistles to songs. No weird of a lie: The buses from the seniors homes all bring people down. There is Seniors days at the ISC. I here "Oh the music is too loud!" Hopefully this momentum changes

[Joborule]

NM wrong thread. Stuipd Blackhawks logo.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Biggest problem with going to the Blazers games has typically been the atmosphere. The crowd is literally 50% fifty years or older. They clap in between whistles to songs. No weird of a lie: The buses from the seniors homes all bring people down. There is Seniors days at the ISC. I here "Oh the music is too loud!" Hopefully this momentum changes

My seats are right at centre ice, between the two benches...pretty much every STH around they all know each other and yap about nothing during intermissions or the game, and during the regular season barely anyone even stands up for a goal.

Quite a few empty seats in the corners...it's all the old people (who make up the majority of the STH's) and high school kids. Could never understand it coming from an organization with such a rich history...

...but that's what made last night so crazy. So unexpected...crowd was so loud Winterhawks coaching staff were trying to gather the team around during the mid-period timeout and go over strategy...one coach put his mouth right up to a player's ear trying to give the instructions and the player (didn't catch who) still couldn't understand them.

To see a crowd refuse to leave...and chant "Let's go blazers" long after the team left the ice, making them come back on again...was incredible.

Saw old people jumping up and down like little kids, people hugging...it was incredible coming from a crowd that usually discusses the latest bridge club results, listens to the radio broadcast with earbuds like they aren't capable of watching the game themselves, claps half-heartedly for Blazers goals and gives people weird looks if they cheer too loudly.

Left the building...and cars were honking all over downtown (cops standing right there letting it go).

Way to go Kamloops. And way to go Blazers.

[getbak]

Well, at least one Flames' prospect will be playing in the third round of the WHL playoffs. Today, Laurent Brossoit was named the CHL Goaltender of the Week.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

"I hope Portland loses"

It is amazing to me how many Flames fans legitimately desire failure these days.

I would much rather Baertschi be a big part of a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup than a bit part on a probable short run in the AHL.

The "bit part" I'll agree with you on, but to say the Heat will have a short run is slightly premature. They're healthier than they've ever been and have no regular players missing because of call-ups. They're just clicking right now as they are going into the playoffs with a 8-0-1 record in their last 9.

But I completely agree with you about Baertschi's "part" in Portland vs. Abbotsford. Say Baertschi and Winterhawks are eliminated, will Ward play Baertschi in the playoffs or will he stick with the "regulars" that got them to this point? Tough to say. But it would be nice to see Baertschi gain extra experience in WHL finals and potentially the Memorial Cup.

Hoping Baertschi's team loses is a bit ridiculous.