[PGT] Flames 4 - Blues 3 in the Shootout!

[Singularity]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know if its already been said, but how could Brent Sutter not squeeze more than 2 goals a night out of a better team than this and with Kipper in net?

I have the same question, we had troubles scoring that year. But then, remember that amazing run that we went on after Christmas but we fell just short?

Maybe it's because we are that much more hardworking and that much younger this year (Brent had more talent on hand, but that team, compared to this year's had no come back value, when was the last time we saw a goal with under 10 seconds left?)

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

What section was the PM in?

Behind the net in the attacking zone, in the corner. Same section (or close) where KK sits in the third

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know if its already been said, but how could Brent Sutter not squeeze more than 2 goals a night out of a better team than this and with Kipper in net?

Didn't have Hudler
Actually, it was a very different team. Better on paper, often does not translate to the ice.
Albeit relatively recent that team already seems like ancient history.

[CaptainCrunch]

An amazing game to watch, the one reason why I respect the job that Bob Hartley does is that this team just doesn't give up and lie down to die. I mean the players know this team isn't getting into the playoffs but they work and they're relentless for the most part. I think the fitness levels on this team are also extremely high. This team just needs to learn how to consistently execute their game plan over 60 minutes.

Backlund is night and day to the start of the season. His defensive confidence is extremely good and he stands out for all the right reasons on the penalty kill. He's also showing good offense because he's earning his chances with good defense.

Monahan just seems to be laboring a little bit, I do believe that his foot is killing him, but he's playing a very conservative game right now and because of that he's not as noticeable in the offensive zone.

Hudler, I know that this is a rebuilding year, but man I hope we keep this guy, he's been one of the best free agent signings over the last few years, and he's incredibly smart all over the ice, the young guys can learn from him.

Colborne I think he's doing a good job of being that big grinding center, he can be a little lazy on the back check, whether its awareness or confidence I don't know yet.

Gio just stands out on every shift, if Canada's blueline strength wasn't quite so deep he would be starting at Sochi, as it is I'm glad he's going to get a couple of weeks off, but I've never seen him play and lead so well. He's the heart beat of the Flames right now.

SOB He's become very noticeable especially in terms of keeping the play alive in the offensive zone with very good pinches, I still don't think that much of his own zone play but he's standing out for the right reasons right now.

Our goaltending coach needs to stand up and take a bow, he's really worked on Berra and Ramo's game and its improved 10 fold, it looks like our goalies have calmed down on the cross crease stuff and aren't sliding out of contril into the corner.

Great job Flames.

Merry Christmas everyone.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

What section was the PM in?

[Ashasx]

Harper was in 117.

[Meers]

Gotta love the 6 on 4.

[Dion]

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Guys, I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but the tough love approach from Hartley seems to have worked on Backlund. I really really like what I'm seeing from him.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by browna

Finally, no matter what you think of the man, pretty cool to have the PM of Canada sit in the "common" seats with Flames fans around him as he's home for the holidays. I am sure there are a half dozen guards at various proximity distances, and they actually didn't show him on the main board (just on TV it seems) likely for security, but cool none the less.

I saw the PM at the Crowfoot Cinema about 7 or 8 years ago going to see the. Trailer Park Boys movie. He has a team of security that sweep the general area before he shows up and then they kinda sit at a distance and let him do his thing. You used to be able to pick out the security guys as they would wear these cheesy fleece vests and have ear pieces.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Guys, I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but the tough love approach from Hartley seems to have worked on Backlund. I really really like what I'm seeing from him.

Backlund played well last season.. it has nothing to do with tough love. It has everything to do with Backlund getting more ice time.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Backlund played well last season.. it has nothing to do with tough love. It has everything to do with Backlund getting more ice time.

He played alright last season, but certainly much better the last month than he ever has before. Whether due to Hartley or not, there's no denying he's at a new level recently.

[c.t.ner]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Backlund played well last season.. it has nothing to do with tough love. It has everything to do with Backlund getting more ice time.

There's no arguing that last year was a quiet breakout year for Backlund. But that being said, he wasn't the same Backlund for the first 15-20 games this year. Not sure what it was, but this is the version of Backlund we all saw last year and it finally fells like we're getting a consistent version of Backlund.

As much as I'm not Hartley's biggest fan and I'll gladly eat crow on this one, but his tough love with Backlund is clearly paying off. He's now playing above the potential we all saw last year. Maybe Backlund needed that bit of a kick in the pants to remind him what it takes to be a 82 game professional in this league.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

As much as I'm not Hartley's biggest fan and I'll gladly eat crow on this one, but his tough love with Backlund is clearly paying off. He's now playing above the potential we all saw last year. Maybe Backlund needed that bit of a kick in the pants to remind him what it takes to be a 82 game professional in this league.

I don't buy that at all. The things that tough love/a kick in the butt fix are effort, bad attitude, and attention to detail, none of which were lacking in Backlund.

I can't remember if it was the St. Louis or Pittsburgh game, but it was recounted that Backlund chalked it up to his Swedish personal coach who convinced him to stop worrying about the consequences of a play not working out, and just start making plays. To me that's 100% about confidence, which Hartley's tough love/a kick in the butt were undermining, if anything.

IMO, the key to Backlund's improved results was the advice from the coach, and, more importantly, the Monahan injury, which forced Hartley to move him off of the 4th line permanently.

Monahan's last game was vs. Chicago on Nov 27. Backlund got 9 mins of ice time. The next game, he was up to 13. After that, he's consistently been around 20 mins and has 8 points in 12 games.

Advice from his Swedish coach not undermined by constant demotions. There's your turn around.

[AC]

Little late but Flash Walken asked me for a GIF of Monahan sneakily boxing out Backes so the pass could get through to Gio on the tying goal:


Also:

[Mango]

I love Backlund's reaction in that clip and it's great he's on the ice in key situations like that. Awesome stuff. Thanks AC!

[Samiz]

I just love reaction clips in general. Nothing like the sight of happiness on someone's face when they are truly caught in a moment of joy

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Mango

I love Backlund's reaction in that clip and it's great he's on the ice in key situations like that. Awesome stuff. Thanks AC!

He screened that pass from Hudler, you can tell by watching Halak that he tracked the puck about a half second too late.

Two sneaky centres on the ice, Backs and Monahan.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by AC

I love the people right behind the bench (I think we named her Bev) have to watch on the Jumbotron. They pay a huge amount for those seats, and can't even watch the play directly. I wonder why they don't move to a different location.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

He screened that pass from Hudler, you can tell by watching Halak that he tracked the puck about a half second too late.

Two sneaky centres on the ice, Backs and Monahan.

Thinking the same thing. And he pulled Jaybo over a step with him, too.