[PGT] Growing pains continue! Flames still get a point!

[BurningSteel]

Still a great start for a rebuilding team. 4 out of 6 possible points or undefeated in first 3 games better start than last year, and were currently in 11th overall. Monahan can score and McDonald was channeling Kipper's spirit somehow.

The glass is half full my friends.

[EM11]

Anyone think that Monahan will stay past game 9? Or is he a lock to go back to Abby?

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by calgARI

I'll tell ya what - I can't remember the last time the Calgary Flames played three games in a row where I left thinking they worked extremely hard in each. I think it must have been the 04 playoffs. This isn't a great team and nobody will dispute that, but they try really hard and play the game the way it's meant to be played. How often do they tie games up in the last 30 seconds? How often do they even score goals in the manner that they did to tie it? I can't remember the last time a Flames player forced his way and the puck into the net the way Jones did. My thoughts on Vancouver are similar to Washington. They are losers who don't compete hard until they have to. Good luck doing that in the playoffs. No question that is a team on the decline and that will not gel with their new coach. I think those guys leave the game thinking they deserved the two points. They were outplayed for 45-50 minutes of that game. Jones and Galiardi are identity players who swarm the net. The Flames look like the Avs from a couple years ago - that team that was supposed to suck but ended up squeezing into the playoffs because they just swarmed the net all the time and drove teams crazy. Actually thought the Flames were great around their own net the first two periods but it was an all out[IMG][/IMG] disaster in the third period. All started with Glencross's completely unacceptable, lazy turnover that led to the second goal. Someone has to tell that guy he needs to be a role model now and can't just pout when he isn't scoring. I have not been at all pleased with his game through three games. The McGrattan turnover is a ludicrous coaching mistake. Why in the world is that guy and that line on the ice at that stage of a one-goal game? Inexcusable mistake, rebuild or not. Other than those things, mostly all positives for me. Thought the third goal was very weak by MacDonald but he obviously came back and made some huge saves. Bottom line is the team is probably going to get some really bad goaltending this year. Top 4 D have been really good I think in all three zones. And O'Brien has even been fine, has a little Hannan smarts to him. I'm not a big Butler basher, but wow did he suck tonight. Monahan plays as advertised. Super solid and smart. IQ off the charts. Will be interesting to see what happens but given the Flames' depth at center, I don't really understand why he would be sent back. He and Backlund appear to be the only real healthy NHL centers on the team right now. Not sure what Colbourne brings. Jones has been the best forward through three games. Giordano and Wideman have been the other two best players. Was really impressed with the second powerplay. The team got tired late in this one and that was very clear. Mentally tiring to start the season with three home openers. They need a couple of days of practice and video. Will go a long way I think. O it's a rebuild, but as long as they work hard like they have the first three games, I think most will be plenty pleased. Obviously no one is happy about the last few years but seeing the first three games makes me even angrier at how paltry the effort was more often than not from those circus teams. This sport is about hard work and playing the right way and the NHL is no different.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by EM11

Anyone think that Monahan will stay past game 9? Or is he a lock to go back to Abby?

He can't play in Abby. He will head back to junior if he doesn't stick. Rules. As for that, I think the jury is still out. On one hand he is producing. On the other hand he is still finding himself underwater a fair bit.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by EM11

Anyone think that Monahan will stay past game 9? Or is he a lock to go back to Abby?

lock to not go to Abby

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by EM11

Anyone think that Monahan will stay past game 9? Or is he a lock to go back to Abby?

Hope he stays, he can't go to Abby. Only Ottawa.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by EM11

Anyone think that Monahan will stay past game 9? Or is he a lock to go back to Abby?

Possible. Abby is not possible. Ottawa is also possible.

[EM11]

Originally Posted by dino7c

lock to not go to Abby

Right! I had an extra drink to celebrate when they tied!

[shogged]

from reddit

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

I don't know how that happened but it's fixed now

[edn88]

I have not had any disdain for Butler/O'Brien before tonight, but 44+55 does not add up to 99...

Also, back up goalie is still a backup goalie (although that stick save was sick).

[HOWITZER]

I'm baffled at the stupidity of some of the mistakes out there, and I agree that Butler/SOB have ZERO place on this team.

That being said, since the 04/05 lockout this has been Calgary's second best start to the season with 4 of a possible 6 points.

12/13 - L/L/SOL - 1pt
11/12 - L/L/W - 2pts
10/11 - L/W/L - 2 pts
09/10 - W/W/W - 6 points
08/09 - L/OTL/W - 3pts
07/08 - L/OTL/L - 1pt
06/07 - L/W/L - 2pts
05/06 - L/W/L - 2pts

So from a purely statistical perspective, this start is pretty good compared to every other year. Too bad it couldn't be 5 out of 6 points if Wideman hadn't tried to play hero on the boards.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by edn88

I have not had any disdain for Butler/O'Brien before tonight, but 44+55 does not add up to 99...

Also, back up goalie is still a backup goalie (although that stick save was sick).

Hard to fault McDonald for this one

[kehatch]

Someone please explain to me how Street got 2:45 in PP time while Baertschi (1:13), Backlund (1:20), Brodie (2:13), Galiardi (0:00), and Monahan (0:41) got what they got? Is it because our PP was so darn effective tonight?

I am not a big fan of management intervening with coaching. But every so often a coach gets attached to a guy they shouldn't. Street should not be leading the forwards in PP time, playing in OT, and getting almost 18-minutes in a night.

[Nammer403]

Exciting game too bad we lost

[OzSome]

Mistakes cost us the game big deal!! It's not like everyone around here are perfect. I am sure those guys who screwed up will own up for their mistakes and will try to amend later on. I am not saying it is ok for Glencross and McGrattan to make mistakes.

I am not happy that we lost but I am not that ticked off because the Flames showed they can play the game and also they came back and tied the game. If they play the way they played in the first and second period, they will give a lot of teams a hard time.

The best lines I think is the Galliardi-Backlund-Hudler followed by Stempniak-Monahan-Baerstchi. Galliardi, Backlund and Stempniak played the best amongst forwards. Defensemen were good. I thought Butler-O'Brien were okay on the 1st and 2nd but kind of tailed off after the Monahan goal.

[Bertuzzied]

Man if Galiardi felt like he should apologize for that weak penalty against the Caps, Glencross should take a full page ad out in tomorrow's Sun to apologize for his crappy ass giveaway.

What a terrible start to the season by him. sure he got some points but he looks so disinterested like his horse died or something. Wake up!

[MissAvery16]

We should of given Poirier 9 games too. GlenX you disappoint me

[timbit]

Bieksa beats Wideman for something to do, the Flames highest paid D, on the winning goal and hardly any response?

[SuperMatt18]

Good game, deserved a better fate.

Glencross and Big Ern get the goat horns for the giveaways.

Overall have not been happy with Glencross game so far, been sloppy and not engaged.

Still 4/6 points for a rebuilding team is fine, and outside of brain farts they have been the better team all three games.