[PGT] Hell yes! 2-1 Flames. lead series 1-0.

[ScorchyScorch]

Not too hard to pick out the difference in Hughson's calls. When Canucks players had pucks and were about to shoot, either in prime scoring spots or the perimeter, or even a pass was made to the point, his pitch would rise, in obvious anticipation. On both Flames goals, his pitch remained his monotone norm as he was calling Jones and Russells shots, and wouldn't rise until the puck was in the net and he would have to call the goal. Little anticipation for Flames plays. On the first Flames goal when Ferland had the puck alone in the slot he sounded almost bored calling it, until the sudden goal. He made the great Bennett move in the first sound like it was nothing special. The only times he would show enthusiasm in his voice on the Flames side was for Hiller's saves...I guess thats something.

Cuthbert was way better on the winning goal...or well the whole shift leading up. Showed lots of admiration for Colborne and you could sense something exciting coming with how he would build up the call. And most importantly didn't sit in silence for 10+ seconds after the goal.

To some viewers its sutble, but when you pick out Hughsons tendencies with Canucks games you can definitely hear the bias.

But lol oh well. Next time nbc I thinks.

[dammage79]

Hartley's already more successful today than when he took ATL to the playoffs. Kudos.

[stemit14]

That was awesome! I can't believe how dominant Bennett looked tonight. Talk about rolling lines... The top 3 lines all looked great tonight especially in the 3rd.

[SHOGUN]

Once Bouma's back, I'm wondering who he will be replacing in the lineup?

[ikaris]

Wow. Hiller was absolutely the difference in my opinion. I love this team.

[BlAcKNoVa]

The actual goal calls were alright, didn't bother me too much. What was hilarious though was the 8-9 seconds of dead silence after the Flames second goal

[CampbellsTransgressions]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

Once Bouma's back, I'm wondering who he will be replacing in the lineup?

Presumably Bollig.

Between Mayray and Bollig, I'm not sure who contributes less to the game. Colborne is close to being as useless as those two, but actually demonstrated something at the the end of the game.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

If I'm Hartley, I'm tempted to put Granlund in for Backlund next game.

Backlund looked awful in my mind.

Maybe put Colborne between Jones and Bennett?

Derp? I didn't catch much of the 1st period, but from halfway through the 1st until the final buzzer I thought Backlund looked excellent. Much better than he did in the regular season.

Backs finally has someone on his wing that suits his style of play. Bennett has the speed and hockey smarts to keep up with Backlund, but he also has the grit to get into the corners and stir things up. Bennett is that unique combination of skill and toughness in one package which is at a premium in this league. Guys like him are gold dust these days. AND WE FREAKING HAVE HIM!!!

The only way that 'BBC' line gets broken up is if management decide to hold off on using up Bennett's 7 remaining games before the ELC kicks in. I could only see that happening if the Flames take a stranglehold on the series by winning game 2. It could be really savvy to make a long run in the playoffs but still conserve that extra year of Bennett's RFA status. I don't think it's a priority (winning always is) but if they get an opportunity to conserve those precious few games without jeopardising the series they might take it*.

[SHOGUN]

I have to say, Schlemko has been playing really solid ever since Brad picked him off waivers. Great pick up.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

The only way that 'BBC' line gets broken up is if management decide to hold off on using up Bennett's 7 remaining games before the ELC kicks in. I could only see that happening if the Flames take a stranglehold on the series by winning game 2. It could be really savvy to make a long run in the playoffs but still conserve that extra year of Bennett's RFA status. I don't think it's a priority (winning always is) but if they get an opportunity to conserve those precious few games without jeopardising the series I believe they'll take it.

Wut? Bennett plays a big role in helping us play two games and then the brass elect to pull him to save a year on his ELC?

The better he plays the less likely they pull him.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Wut? Bennett plays a big role in helping us play two games and then the brass elect to pull him to save a year on his ELC?

The better he plays the less likely they pull him.

It has nothing to do with how he plays.

Hypothetical situation, but let's say it's looking like we're going to win the series (up 2-0 or 3-0), if Hartley feels he can win the game without Sam (Raymond or Shore tag in) then the Flames would go into the next series versus Anaheim (or the Jets ) with 5 games left on the Sam ticker.

It may not matter to many fans, as they'll want to see as much Bennett as possible, but it will be something management will be conscious of. Could save them some serious grief in a few years when Monahan, Gaudreau, Brodie and a lot of the younger players are on much higher salaries and Bennett's big contract negotiation begins. We've all seen the trouble other teams have gone through when they get these Golden generations of talent all at once (Blackhawks mainly). Treliving avoids those problems by making shrewd moves now. Or he doesn't and we enjoy the ride while it lasts.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. For now I'm just loving the fact we have this kid on our team. He's like the ELC-ecret Weapon.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Ticket: $116
50/50 Ticket: $20
Watching the Flames score with 29 seconds left to take a 1-0 series lead against the Canucks in my first ever playoff game: Priceless

What a game. After the Canucks scored I was pretty annoyed for the rest of the second. I had a feeling though they would turn it up in the third and sure enough they did. I tried not to be very vocal in case there were some ######bags in my section but when Russell scored it was hard not to get excited. I didn't like Horvat's goal but Hiller was awesome.

I thought about trying to get a ticket for game 2 but I might just end up watching at home. I found the fans in my section really whiny and I don't think I want to sit 2 1/2 hours through that again. Every time a Flame hit a Canuck they would whine for a penalty. I didn't think the officiating was good either but body contact is allowed in hockey and the Canucks had plenty of powerplays. It was pretty funny though when the guy beside was sitting there depressed like they had just lost the series.

None of that changes the fact that the first play-off goal you ever witnessed was scored by a Vancouver Canuck.

I hope you somehow manage to find the help and support you need to overcome that crushing disappointment that you'll have to live with for the rest of your life.

Thanks for the noise though - it didn't go un-noticed how much noise Flames fans were making at the game.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

It has nothing to do with how he plays.

Hypothetical situation, but let's say it's looking like we're going to win the series (up 2-0 or 3-0), if Hartley feels he can win the game without Sam (Raymond or Shore tag in) then the Flames would go into the next series versus Anaheim (or the Jets ) with 5 games left on the Sam ticker.

It may not matter to many fans, as they'll want to see as much Bennett as possible, but it will be something management will be conscious of. Could save them some serious grief in a few years when Monahan, Gaudreau, Brodie and a lot of the younger players are on much higher salaries and Bennett's big contract negotiation begins. We've all seen the trouble other teams have gone through when they get these Golden generations of talent all at once (Blackhawks mainly). Treliving avoids those problems by making shrewd moves now. Or he doesn't and we enjoy the ride while it lasts.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. For now I'm just loving the fact we have this kid on our team. He's like the ELC-ecret Weapon.

The Flames have already stated they're fine with playing him as much as necessary from this point on with no concern towards his ELC:


http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=763130

[JJ1532]

Why are we worrying about problems that are at least 2 years away? If Bennett deserves to stay in the line-up, he stays in, ELC be damned.

[Barnet Flame]

I can recall many outstanding rookie moments in 25 years of watching these Stanley Cup playoffs from up close. But ask me to recall an 18-year-old in his first playoff game who had an impact like the one Bennett had Wednesday night, and I can’t come up with a single one.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/b...playoff-story/

That is Spector on Bennett.

I don't think Flames management have a difficult decision at all - especially not if he continues with this kind of impact.

[expatflame]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Found out tonight that I'm having a son in 4 months. Then came home to watch the game. Best night!!

Shall I name him Kris or Russell?

Congrats! Ours is due in 4 months as well. We are planning on naming our daughter Mika (not kidding!).

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

. It could be really savvy to make a long run in the playoffs but still conserve that extra year of Bennett's RFA status. I don't think it's a priority (winning always is) but if they get an opportunity to conserve those precious few games without jeopardising the series they might take it*.

I don't think the RFA years are changed at 9 games. There was something about the coilers sending draisaitl down before 39 games to avoid the RFA impact.

[Caged Great]

With a playoff series being able to turn on a single shift/goal, if Bennett continues to play like he did, he might just have that impact in the Flames favour. He already impacted game one by assisting on the game winner and being the best Flame forward in the game. You have to run with him until he doesn't perform well.

In other words, Sam Bennett will remain in the lineup.

[UKflames]

Winner, winner, chicken dinner, ha.

So good to come into work and see emails from friends in Vancouver and Calgary, one drinking their sorrows and one drinking in celebration, such a contrast.

[HotHotHeat]

Many are over complicating this Bennett situation. Let me help.

He's playing every game from now until he gets injured or retires. It's that simple.