[GT] Peter Maher night: Ducks @ Flames. Russell and Jones out.

[J epworth]

There is a lot of hustle by the Flames, but it's all just to get back possession. When you're chasing 90% of the game you don't look that great, no matter how hard you work. If they can string together a few shifts putting on some pressure it could change but it is going to take a lot of effort and luck.

[Weitz]

On pace for 11 shots. Woooooo.

[Scoreface]

We don't suck again, but it sure would be nice to have some push here...

[OldSam]

Breaking news = Ducks are good. I think the Flames are playing as well as they can, given the injuries and size differential. It isn't over yet. Russell is sadly missed...and Jones too. The Ducks will choke the game away. But the Flames won't quit.

[wwkayaker]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I see lots of hustle tonight, personally. I just see a very good Anaheim team as well.

Thing is, winning looks an awful lot like hard work.

Precisely what I was thinking earlier. I didn't expect the Flames to win but I was hoping that the team would get an understanding of what it takes to win. Hopefully a lesson is taken from this game.

[Gaskal]

19-7 shots.


Yiiiiiikes.

[ComixZone]

This game blows.

[Stay Golden]

Passes just are not connecting tonight. Need a strong 3rd.

[Matty81]

I agree with people saying the ducks are just too good when they execute like they are tonight.

I'd like to see somebody take a shot at the ducks and try to mix it up though, a huge hit, a fight, something.

The legendary sarich hit in the playoffs against a better, dominating sharks team is a great example of a big physical play turning the game around by shaking up the other team a little.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Weitz

On pace for 11 shots. Woooooo.

It's simple math for an oilers fan.

[btimbit]

Ducks doing a great job of shutting down Brodie and Giordano. Blocking them out offensively. Will be interesting to see if Hartley starts putting our top d line out against someone other than the Getzlaf Perry line to get some more offense from them.

Their cycle eating our bottom 2 d pairings alive. A lot of small things Russell does well looking a lot clearer now that he's not there to do them.

On the plus side, we've shut down thier top line effectively and both of their goals have come from bounces or tips. One good bounce or good play and we're right back in it, and the 3rd is where this team shines. A lot of hockey to be played. Let's do it

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

There is a lot of hustle by the Flames, but it's all just to get back possession. When you're chasing 90% of the game you don't look that great, no matter how hard you work. If they can string together a few shifts putting on some pressure it could change but it is going to take a lot of effort and luck.

puck possession is sort of a function of how hard you're working though... winning battles, skating to get open?

[Gaudfather]

Most dangerous lead in hockey 2-0. That combined with the Flames strong push in the 3rd this year - who knows?

[Ashasx]

Short of one shift to end the 2nd, I'd say the Ducks have executed their game perfectly thus far.

[FlameFan21]

Originally Posted by Weitz

On pace for 11 shots. Woooooo.

How many wins do the Oilers have against this conference?

[direwolf]

Flames will obviously need a huge 3rd if they want any chance of coming back in this one. They need to get their feet moving again and start putting pucks on net. The Ducks were having some trouble with the Flames' speed early in the game. If the Flames can get skating again and get more urgency in their game, they'll have a shot. Anaheim is playing really solid game though.

[wwkayaker]

Originally Posted by New Era

Calgary really needs some more size but they also need their veterans with size to step up and start playing with more heart. Two guys that really stand out as being bad in this regard are Glencross and Wideman. They really need to step up and provide some physical presence out there. Physicality is contagious and it needs to start with the vets.

Agreed but if the vets want to play this way, it makes next years cuts/trades that much easier.

[combustiblefuel]

Hoping this works........

Anderson with the shut out. Shut out Shut out Shut out mother hugging Shut out

[PeteMoss]

Actually playing well against Getzlaf/Perry... getting crushed by everyone else.

[Jakester]

Flames are playing like a team with several key players out with injuries. Backlund and Stajan would go a long way towards countering Getzlaf and Kesler. They were already thin on the back end after Gio and Brodie and with Russell hurt they're even thinner. Credit to Hiller for keeping the Flames in it so far.