[PGT] Cardiac Kids Can't Complete Comeback 4-3 SO :(

[Enoch Root]

Put me in the camp that thinks they are getting fatigued.

I also agree with the poster that suggested Byron was a key reason that their OT record has gone dark.

Hopefully Byron is ready to go soon because his speed and energy would be a godsend to this team right now.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by pylon

A lot of people are also forgetting that we essentially have a 2 point lead on LA as of right now.

We still have the tie breaker.

Hmmmm, I get it - but no. If they get two points they have the edge any way you swing it.

I'd say we have a 1 point lead (with benefits).

[rubecube]

Don't really understand the people blaming the refs. I thought they got everything pretty well right. Flames just played a dumb game tonight.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by polak

God, that sucks.

were out.

This shtick is tiresome, get an ounce of optimism, or leave the rest of us to enjoy the ride!

The sky is not falling young Chicken Little.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I thought Brodie had a pretty decent game. He's really stepped up with the captain on the sidelines.

Raymond needs to step up his game if this team is going to make the playoffs. Really, most everyone who isn't on the top line needs to step up. Glad Raymond got an assist on a Engellhands goal. Hopefully it's a sign that he's going to start scoring again.

Everyone is rooting for Raymond, but to really contribute on this team it's going to take more than a couple of decent possession shifts and a couple of shifts where he skates around the perimeter really fast.

Also, what happened to Jones? I didn't see him out there in the 3rd period. Seemed like Backlund was on the pine as well.

I think Jones got punished with a heavy dose of the pine for most of the game after his turnover caused the 1st Stars goal where he tried to force a risky move through 3 players in the neutral zone.

Hartley must not have been very pleased about that because Jones played very sparingly after that, mostly only seeing the ice with Stajan and Bollig from that point on.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

You should try a little less heart on your sleeve and a little more brain in your head.

You clearly don't know that many polaks.

[J79]

Maybe we should just stop giving up goals in the last 20, 30 seconds of the (second) period!

[Mister Yamoto]

One team looked like the were battling for their playoff lives tonight.

The Flames looked like they are out of gas. Same thing against the Avs on Monday. VERY lucky to have 3 points in the last 2 IMO.

Oh well, find a way to beat the Wild on Friday and all of a sudden things look rosy again

[Monahan23]

I think people are being way too pessimistic. We had a really slow start to the first and second. They took too many penalties but Lehtonen made a lot of huge saves. We lost in a shootout, we picked up a point against the hottest team in the league, we're ahead of L.A and one point behind Winnipeg. L.A and Winnipeg also have a lot tougher schedules

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by pylon

Winnipeg though, is exceeding expectations as much or more than the Flames.

Except their goalie gave up 5 last game.

The Jets are more likely to slip up at this point than the Flames, I mean its Winnipeg.

[GreenLantern]

This is the first time this season I have seen Hartley go back on his word. There is no reason that Raymond should still be dressed over Ferland.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Karl

I think Jones got punished with a heavy dose of the pine for most of the game after his turnover caused the 1st Stars goal where he tried to force a risky move through 3 players in the neutral zone.

Hartley must not have been very pleased about that because Jones played very sparingly after that, mostly only seeing the ice with Stajan and Bollig from that point on.

Well that's not fair cause Bouma's weak turnover to Horcoff was much worse than that.

[868904]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

This is the first time this season I have seen Hartley go back on his word. There is no reason that Raymond should still be dressed over Ferland.

I haven't liked Raymond much at all but he generated scoring chances in this game. He had a really good wrap around attempt and had some good cycles. Is was his best game in awhile. I like Ferland but I don't see him generating the same offence as Raymond at this point in their careers and the Flames are starving for offence right now.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I don't think they are getting tired or fatigued, I think they are getting tight or nervous. When you are tight, you look tired, muscles tighten up, you slow down, and react slower, it's literally why when you get uber tight they call it choking because everything squeezed (not saying the Flames are choking).

But it's partially why this is such a great experience for a young team, all of a sudden these guys don't get to play fancy free defying the odds. They are close enough they can taste it, impossible for them not to now realize it's theirs for the taking for real, and it's got to up the pressure. Them looking slower and just a little off the past few games coupled with some of the mental mistakes we've seen from some really good players suggests the nerves are starting to play a role.

Also, the refs were disgustingly bad last night. Rediculous non calls going in Dallas' favour, then IMO a disallowed goal against Dallas that should have counted. It was messed.

[Resolute 14]

I do think they are getting very tired and fatigued. They have been running on pure adrenaline since Giordano went down, and the big mistakes are most obvious out of the defencemen who have had to be even better as a result. Dallas' third goal, for instance, came because Brodie set Bouma up to fail with a bad pass into coverage. This entire homestand has been marked by a dramatic increase in unforced errors - missed passes, bad clears, outright fire drills in our own zone. This on top of the pressure other teams naturally create themselves. The Flames' defensive strategy all year has been bend-don't-break, but we are bending more and more.

This team is on fumes right now, but god love 'em, it is pure heart that is carrying them forward.

That said, 2-1-2 on this homestand is disappointing. They will have to dig even deeper and find some crazy reserve they have yet to tap into on this road trip.

[FlamesAddiction]

They started the game playing like crap.

As much as I like the resilience of this team, they do seem to have terrible starts to games.

[HartAttack]

It's hard to win in the NHL when you're playing like you're afraid to lose.

[Vinny01]

Hopefully they can get back to basics on the road. The Dome has been rocking but at the same time the fans are tense as well wanting the win. The team has had success on extended road trips in the past if they can get off to a good start and come back 3-1-1 they will be in a good position to make the playoffs. They probably need 10pts in the next 8 to make it

[OzSome]

I don't buy that fatigue problem at all. The problem is the Flames let the other team dictate the play early then once they are down by a goal or two that's when they start playing Flames hockey. Against Colorado and Dallas their goalie sees more of the Flames shot so it was an easy save. Whenever they go in front of the net and try to block the goalie's view, they tend to score more.

I agree with someone when he/she mentioned that Mason Raymond is not shooting the puck more. He seems to try to be a playmaker so he hang on to the puck more and ended up running out of room or just lose the puck completely. The guy got speed and got a decent shot so why not take advantage of it.

I don't believe the Jets can hang on to the last wild card spot. They are playing well without Byfuglien and Myers but for how long?

[Badgers Nose]

Who would have thought the loss of Byron would affect this team more than the loss of Gio? Not me, that's for sure.