[PGT] Flames win 6-3 in Revenge Match

[FFFLife]

Anyone at the game notice after Monahan's goal that the Energy board called him "Drew Monahan"?

[sa226]

In my effort to create a narrative that may or may not exist.

In arguably the biggest game of the year, in a game most had pencilled in as a loss in this playoff race. Our young diminutive winger having played much more hockey in a much more condensed schedule than he is accustomed to, delivers his best game of the year and is the best player on the ice.

Just awesome.

[DoubleF]

Sammy B sounds worse than my idea of Bam bam Bennett. I think many wanted to call him Killer like Gilmour.

I could see Hartley calling him Bens or Sam. More Benz car pics if that's the case


Eh, we'll see what happens as time goes on.

[troutman]

Samwise Bengee.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Actually, going by NHLE = 0.41, his college season last year implies he should have 67 this season over 82. He's on pace for 61 so he hasn't had puck luck (well, mostly just the first five games. Since then he's on pace for....67 over 82)

Granted, but before this season started, it was questionable on whether Gaudreau would even start at the NHL level.

So many things have gone right this year, just for us to be a fringe playoff team. That is something people need to keep sight of. Chances are, we will have to improve in other areas to overcome the fact that some of these guys really will regress next year.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by FFFLife

Anyone at the game notice after Monahan's goal that the Energy board called him "Drew Monahan"?

I saw that as well.

[Locke]

What a game. These guys are for real.

I'm super impressed with Russell and Wideman, they have really elevated their game.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Sammy B sounds worse than my idea of Bam bam Bennett. I think many wanted to call him Killer like Gilmour.

I could see Hartley calling him Bens or Sam. More Benz car pics if that's the case


Eh, we'll see what happens as time goes on.

Doug Gilmour got the nickname 'Killer' because of serial killer Gary Gilmore. I don't want that nickname for Bennett.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Granted, but before this season started, it was questionable on whether Gaudreau would even start at the NHL level.

So many things have gone right this year, just for us to be a fringe playoff team. That is something people need to keep sight of. Chances are, we will have to improve in other areas to overcome the fact that some of these guys really will regress next year.

I think it's a good perspective and I agree with what you said. People need to remember, the team is playing lights out, and we are still a bubble team, so lots and lots of room for improvement. That said, in regards to regression next year, I was thinking the same thing, but then also started to think, who would we expect to regress?

Monahan - I think it might be safe to say he should continue to improve and get better.
Gaudreau - Ditto
Backlund - I think he's proven what he is so he stays put. How much healthy time would we get?
Hudler - Same, stays flat.
Colborne - maybe slight improvement?
Jooris - definitely a prime candidate for Donovan it and regress after a hot season
Rest of the forwards - stay flat
Poirier / Bennett / Ferland - opportunity for some injection of progression to the roster I think.

Brodie - Should expect more growth.
Gio - Regression risk due to this injury?
The rest of the D - no reason to think they regress or improve imo.

Goalies - Flat to maybe improvement if Ortio steps up.

Anyway, point being, I'm not sure we've tones of people overachieve this year (except Jooris) versus us just finding out we had much better than we thought in the system. Looking at the above, even with out any moves I'm not sure it's that hard to believe the team can continue to progress and get better with what we've got. Maybe that's just the fan in me hoping though.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

So many things have gone right this year, just for us to be a fringe playoff team.

Plenty has gone wrong too, though. And for a fringle playoff team, having the best goal differential in the division has to mean something.

-It feels like we've lost every other Eastern "trap game" this season.

-The unexplainable poor starts (even last night, spotting them a 2 goal lead 3 minutes in was not a sign of something going right, likewise with the Detroit game and the Ottawa game. To put that into perspective, Hiller, who has a career "Quality Start" percentage of .564 in 7 years as a Duck has had a .486 with Calgary. Basically his most inconsistent season ever despite the save percentages being okay especially as a relief tender. Ramo has gone from .514 QS last season to .458 this season.

-The injury to Backlund to open the season (who was our #1 center last year and has been our #1 shut down guy since returning)

- The additional injuries to Stajan, Raymond, Jones, and Colborne. At one point in the season I think our forwards roster looked something like:

Hudler-Granlund-Gaudreau
Glencross-Monahan-Byron
Ferland-Jooris-Setoguchi
Baertschi-Bouma-Bollig

- Hartley's insistence on Engelland/Smid even though any of us could tell you it wasn't working without even looking at their brutal +/- together

- Mason Raymond's struggles in December and January in his return.

- Giordano's injury

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Plenty has gone wrong too, though. And for a fringle playoff team, having the best goal differential in the division has to mean something.

How is this a bad thing? The Flames have been handed nothing, battled adversity all year long and come up on top. They are a stronger team because of it.

The way I see it, a true fringe playoff team would of folded by now.

[Resolute 14]

Ahh, CSW, a lot of Canuck fans thought the same when they ran to the finals a few years ago. But guys will struggle. Guys will have less puck luck. Guys will see roles change. Guys age (Gio will be 32 at the start of next year). Guys will get hurt. Assuming everyone on career years stays flat as your worst case scenario is a recipe for disappointment. Some players will step back. That is inevitable. We just need more players to step forward.

The key players to me are Monahan and Gaudreau. If we can count on 50 goals between those two year over year, we are laughing.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Ahh, CSW, a lot of Canuck fans thought the same when they ran to the finals a few years ago. But guys will struggle. Guys will have less puck luck. Guys will see roles change. Guys age (Gio will be 32 at the start of next year). Guys will get hurt. Assuming everyone on career years stays flat as your worst case scenario is a recipe for disappointment. Some players will step back. That is inevitable. We just need more players to step forward.

The key players to me are Monahan and Gaudreau. If we can count on 50 goals between those two year over year, we are laughing.

Fair, but two teams in very different lifecycle stages that you are comparing. Even our vets aren't that old, and how many of them are having career years? I don't think many.

I'm worried about Gio regressing due to his injury, or else I agree, fair to say he might not have a Norris trophy year again, but he's still be solid. But otherwise, all our key performers (really) are young and should progress, versus a Canucks team that really was in the peak of their lifecycle.

But I agree, keep expectations low and you can't be disappointed, but I'm not really seeing the same risk with this years Flames.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

How is this a bad thing?

It's something that should ideally also regress to the norm next season even if a Josh Jooris isn't lights out and Hudler has a more typical season.

I don't expect Backlund to miss half the season.

I don't expect them to lose to the Carolina type teams in blowout scores even if they don't dominate San Jose and LA.

I don't expect both goaltenders to have their least consistent seasons.

If and when other injuries hit, I expect guys like Shore and Poirier to provide better depth.

I'm saying that while there's room to fall back down to earth in some of this year's stronger aspects, there's just as much room to swim back up in this year's weaker ones.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Engelland's fight first of all gave Engelland confidence. It gave the team a boost. And it ALWAYS rallies the boys.

Oh sweet confirmation bias.

Oct 17th Smid-Tropp (draw), 1st period. Next goal scored by CBJ. Columbus wins 3-2.

Nov 13th Engellend-Crombeen (win), 1st period. Next two goals scored by Arizona. Flames win 5-3.

Nov 18th Engelland-Jackman (win), 1st period. Next two goals scored by Anaheim. Flames win 4-3 (SO).

Nov 25th Russell-Kesler (loss), 1st period. Next two goals scored by Anaheim. Ducks win 3-2.

Dec 16th Bouma-Glass (loss), 2nd period. Next goal scored by Rangers. Rangers win 5-2.

Dec 20th Engelland-Dorsett (win), 1st period. Next two goals scored by Canucks. Canucks win 3-2 (OT).

Jan 31st Bollig-Aulie (draw), AND Engelland-Gazdic (win), both 1st period. Next goal scored by Oilers. Flames win 4-2.

Feb 14th Colborne-Sbisa (loss), 1st period. Next goal scored by Canucks. Flames win 3-2.

Feb 24th Ferland-Miller (draw), 2nd period. Next goal scored by Rangers. Rangers win 1-0.

Feb 25th Glencross-Zajac (draw), 1st period. Next goal scored by Devils. Flames win 3-1.

Mar 8th Bollig-Borowiecki (win), 1st period. Next two goals scored by Senators. Senators win 5-4 (SO).


We've fought in 19 games this season. 11 times the opponent has scored the next goal, 11 times we've lost the game. Or to put it another way: fighting has nothing to do with it. Just because this time the Flames comeback happened to coincide with Engellands fight is a random occurrance that will inevitably happen a few times over the season if you keep trying it.

[Street Pharmacist]

And let's even say it does spark the team. Why didn't it spark Anaheim?

[memphusk]

So what your saying is every time Engelland fights they win. Guess he does know what he's doing.


Obviously I cannot read. Crow devoured.

[Robbob]

What we need is to find out the CORSI after the event occurs.

[White Out 403]

edit: yup already posted. nm

[Magnum PEI]

I honestly dont think the fight had anything to do with it. They had a powerplay that started right after the fight and didn't score. It was Palmeiri's brutal give away that led to the Stajan goal.