[PGT] Flames 0 - Blues - 4

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by calgarygringo

Unfortunately the reality is we are just a rebuilding team and teams like St. Louis, Chicago, Rangers etc. are in a different level. Yes we may beat them the odd game but over a playoff series we will be done pretty quick. We just don't have the horses in the barn yet. Are we better than the Leafs and Oilers of course but we are not at the level of play of the big boys yet. Let the youngsters grow up and mature and get a few more coming in and we will be like the big boys in a few years from now.
Reality check.....

Posts like this one are the reason this site needs an "un-thanks" or "thumbs down" for each post. Give me a break, I really don't know if some on here are actually Flames fans. Support the team after losses not just wins.

[bubbsy]

think folks are getting a bit carried away given that the team's in the thick of this year's playoff race.

It's a young team, that was supposed to be in year 2 of a rebuild, with most folks guessing the flames would be in contention for a lottery pick, forget the playoffs. They have been the surprise team of the year, and unfortunately have taken a major setback by losing easily their best player and the captain of the team.

Losses are going to happen, they aren't going undefeated down the stretch. Games like colorado are disappointing, but games against a team like the blues are as tough as they come. Flames did well to keep pace for the most part for 40 mins, but the game got away from them a bit in the 3rd.

On to the next one. Going to be an exciting finish regardless of which side of 8th place the flames land.

[PeteMoss]

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Posts like this one are the reason this site needs an "un-thanks" or "thumbs down" for each post. Give me a break, I really don't know if some on here are actually Flames fans. Support the team after losses not just wins.

I thought the post you quoted was pretty a pretty reasonable rational response to the game. I certainly don't think it came across as overly negative. Fact is that the Flames are only in year 2 of a rebuild and 29th in the league in payroll. I actually agree with the poster that at this stage the Flames don't yet have the horses to go up against the leagues true top teams and win on a regular basis. There are some good pieces in place, and the team will continue to add to these pieces.

Doesn't mean that the poster isn't cheering for the team to win on a nightly basis.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Posts like this one are the reason this site needs an "un-thanks" or "thumbs down" for each post. Give me a break, I really don't know if some on here are actually Flames fans. Support the team after losses not just wins.

Fact is, St. Louis, NYR and CHI are on different levels. That's why they are considered elite teams. We are missing quite a few pieces and last night it showed. I think that was the first game where we really missed Gio. And our lack of snipers was very apparent. Nothing he said was wrong. It's an opinion probably a lot of us share, myself included. I'm not sure how you interpreted as you did.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

...Doesn't mean that the poster isn't cheering for the team to win on a nightly basis.

The thing that rubbed me the wrong way was his "reality check," which by implication suggests that posters are foisting unrealistic expectations upon the Flames, and I don't see that at all taking place. The Flames are a good bet to make the playoffs this season, and despite the fact that this is an unexpected surprise occurring a couple of years earlier than we all anticipated, they are already proving to be a consistently competitive team.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by blender

I agree with everything, especially the bold, but, just for curiosity, who are your other two contenders? With LA iffy to be in the dance and Chicago without Kane, it looks like an open year...

I've got Stl, NYR and Ana, in that order.

St. Louis, Anaheim, Tampa Bay.

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Elliot is solid but not elite, hard to make it far in the playoffs without an elite goalie. This will be their downfall IMO

Corey Crawford says hello.

[IgiTang]

Simply got beat by a better team. Anyone who is surprised or upset that we lost this game needed the reality check.

The goalie pull was brilliant and exciting. We pot one there with 8 mins left would have been a serious boost for the Flames.

Going forward, its crunch time. Now we get to see what this team is really made of. We still control our own faith.

Johnny needs to be more patient with the puck. A couple bad turnovers. Just an observation, not giving him the goat horns what so ever.

GFG!

[Tron_fdc]

I wasn't expecting a win, but a goal would have been nice.

Ah well.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Posts like this one are the reason this site needs an "un-thanks" or "thumbs down" for each post. Give me a break, I really don't know if some on here are actually Flames fans. Support the team after losses not just wins.

I really, really don't think CP users should be given this kind of power .

[GioforPM]

Against "elite" teams that press and are more offesnive, the Flames do OK. Against a Hitchcock team or other patient defensive teams they don't look that great.

I do think the Flames could beat the Blues, but it would take a huge game by everyone. In this one, the top line was smothered and couldn't generate much, Wideman and Russell were ordinary, Brodie as well (and he made that gaodawful giveaway), Backlund's line wasn't as good of a secondary scoring unit as in previous games. As much as Raymond is getting dumped on, I thought he and Colborne actually had the most energy over the whole game. Raymond's just not strong enough to win the fights down low.

Positives? I thought Ferland had a decent game. I thought Hiller was solid enough - he was screened on one, no chance on the giveaway goal and the third was a blaster - and he made that fantastic 2 on one save. Bollig stepped up.

[tvp2003]

Hung in there for two periods, but the Blues imposed their will on the Flames and it showed in the third period. Someone mentioned zero time and space -- that is what happens when you have a roster full of big, strong guys who can also skate. Throw in the skill they have in the top 6, plus the back end (even without Shattenkirk apparently), and that is a tough team to beat when they are playing their game. Flames had the effort but little, if any counter-attack.

Philly should be a much easier test by comparison -- obviously not a pushover but their depth does not come close to matching the Blues. Much better matchup -- I'm guessing we see Ramo in net (notwithstanding Hiller's awesome retro gear).

[BigFlameDog]

The Blues are a heavy, heavy team.....even the Flames hits saw our guy bounce off...Steen in particular must be built like a brick......

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

The Blues are a heavy, heavy team.....even the Flames hits saw our guy bounce off...Steen in particular must be built like a brick......

Ferland bounced off of Tarasenko pretty good as well. Apparently Tarasenko can bench 300 lbs. Even their high skill guys are strong and tough.

[AcGold]

I wish we had 220 pound skill players.

[GioforPM]

I was excited and OK with the goalie pull. In retrospect I wonder if it subconsciously made the Flames too defensive knowing the net was empty. They really didn't have many good chances despite holding the puck for a fair bit.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't think anyone here believes that the Flames are an imminent Cup winner

I believe

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Komskies

... Apparently Tarasenko can bench 300 lbs. Even their high skill guys are strong and tough.

Is that s fact?

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Is that s fact?

Yeah. From the Blues website, near the bottom.

http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=730942

5. Ryan Reaves can bench press more than you.

Blues Strength and Conditioning Coach Nelson Ayotte said Ryan Reaves finished first among all players in camp by bench pressing 305 pounds during off-ice fitness tests.

Vladimir Tarasenko and prospect Yannick Veilleux were tied for second at 300 pounds.

Here's Tarasenko bouncing Ferland:

http://www.gfycat.com/BewitchedAromaticEsok

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't think anyone here believes that the Flames are an imminent Cup winner

Ya ne'er know though. I could see them somehow miraculously surviving through a path of:

Vancouver
Anaheim
Chicago*
Tampa Bay

As long as there's no elite goaltenders en route. Definitely want no part of Pekka Rinne, Carey Price, Henrik Lundquist, Brian Elliot etc.

*only if Kane isn't at his best