[PGT] Bolts down Flames 3-1

[JJ1532]

Thing is, the back breaking goal came from a PP. That PP came from a total accident by Gio. I mean, I hate tripping calls like that. Most other penalties, you know what you are doing when you take them and you could do something different to avoid them.

But a tripping call where Gio isn't even looking at their guy, the stick gets into his skates and he gets tripped? Why should the player doing the tripping get called on something like that?

We didn't play badly at all. We came into an arena where we usually get smoked and were the better team for easily 2/3rds of the game. Tampa had the extra quality that we just don't have. That was a good honest effort by the Flames and yes, it hurts to lose, but that wasn't us being awful and getting our comeuppance. It was us skating hard and deserving way more than what we got.

If I Tampa, I wouldn't be happy with that effort. They got the win thanks to a dodgy tripping call and were fortunate we couldn't grab that 2nd. If I was Hartley, I would be happier with my teams effort than Cooper.

But, there were some real issues. Sorry, Wideman has let you down far too often this season Bob to put him on the ice with less than 2 minutes to go. This isn't last season anymore. We have a top 4, you alternate between them before you go to Wideman. I mean, just floating in his own zone with the puck and he looks surprised when he gets his pocket picked? Awful.

But, we're gonna have to put up with him struggling. His contract and the fact he still has 18 months of term means he is untradeable in this form. Do you bench him and bring in Engelland for tomorrow? Very tempting.

But all in all, I am happy with the effort. Just lacking a little bit on application. Made some errors that got punished late on, we couldn't capitalise on the pressure we had. Hey ho.

Hopefully we can pinch the game tomorrow against the Caps.

[Jbo]

Welcome to the rebuild everybody. Last year was a sweet, sweet dream and we all just woke up with a killer hangover.

[crapshoot]

Originally Posted by JetsFlamesFan

He won the Jack Adams, don't be a knob.

What he's doing right now does not in any way resemble Jack Adams coaching. Especially playing the worst defender on the team at all times, completely disregarding his own motto.

[2ArmBands]

Negatives - The way this team finds ways to lose

Positives - Seat Relocation Event

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by badradio

I'm starting to blame Hartley... No reason should Russell be on the pp ever... Wideman needs to sit. Put Johnny back with Sam on the first line and demote hudler and Monahan to the 2nd.

This is what I think too, but maybe I'm not thinking straight. It seems too obvious.

[Erick Estrada]

I don't think you can bench your captain but I think Hartley has to send him a message that he's trying to do to much and the only way to correct that is to play him less. That penalty that resulted in the winning goal was such a senseless play as the puck was leaving the zone. You put your stick between a players skates and you are going to get a penalty if they fall every time.

[JetsFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

He's is playing terribly though. The only reason its hard to tell how bad he's playing is because Russel and Wideman and Hamilton are all playing bad.

When was the last time Giorando rushed the puck? And it was his man that led to the first tampa goal, right?

All I see giorando do is struggle and pass it off to Brodie. Brodie is hiding how much suck gio has in his game right now.

Its actually mind boggling how bad our defense is

It's Giordano...not Giorando

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

He's is playing terribly though. The only reason its hard to tell how bad he's playing is because Russel and Wideman and Hamilton are all playing bad.

When was the last time Giorando rushed the puck? And it was his man that led to the first tampa goal, right?

All I see giorando do is struggle and pass it off to Brodie. Brodie is hiding how much suck gio has in his game right now.

Its actually mind boggling how bad our defense is

Don't get me wrong, he has been struggling as all the D have.
All I was pointing out was that whoever said this loss was on Gios dumb penalty is wrong. It was more of another player stepping on his stick away from the play than it was a bone headed penalty he has full control over.

And yes, the chop on Russells stick a few minutes before should have been called but I believe that was a make up no call for the trip we should have had in the corner 2 minutes before that.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Everything else sucked? They were the better team outside of the first ten minutes where they got away still tied 0-0. Everything else didn't suck. Not even close.



It was a tight game, a late goal made it 3-1. If everything sucked, they would have lost 6-0.

Agree with you. Lots of over reactions by some posters on a game that the Flames played fairly well. Yeah, some errors but it was an improvement on most of the other games this season and one of those games that could have gone either way.

Anyways, move on and hope they carry this effort to Washington.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Jbo

At least Arizona just scored.

That's just what we need. Edmonton coming in and swiping another top pick

[browna]

Clear that Wideman is trusted more than Hamilton. The way Hamilton has played on the fringe, hard to disagree with that. They're all bad right now but Hamilton has been a huge dud.

[hockey.modern]

Said it earlier in the GT but I think the Flames need to work on a system on the PP where they can find that one timer, similar to what Ovi and Stamkos do. a RH shot that will be open to cash in a one timer from the left circle.

[FlamesNation23]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Said it earlier in the GT but I think the Flames need to work on a system on the PP where they can find that one timer, similar to what Ovi and Stamkos do. a RH shot that will be open to cash in a one timer from the left circle.

How does Auston Matthews sound?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I think we know the answer to that question. Double digit losses and not even half way into November. Just think that it would take a six game winning streak just to get them to .500. Think about how hard that is to run off a six game winning streak and each loss is putting them further and further behind. It's over.

I agree, but I think you give it a few more games yet before selling the farm. But not only would it be tough to get back in the mix, they aren't playing well enough consistently to give us reason to believe.

Hard to imagine Hudler being with this team after Christmas. Probably a d-man or two as well. This team is still rebuilding, a few trades to get younger and a high draft pick and maybe this season isn't such a waste after all.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by FlamesNation23

How does Auston Matthews sound?

Like a 20% chance at best

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by browna

Clear that Wideman is trusted more than Hamilton. The way Hamilton has played on the fringe, hard to disagree with that. They're all bad right now but Hamilton has been a huge dud.

IMO Hamilton is quietly turning into the Flames most dependable defender. Far less fire drills in their own end when he's on the ice compared to the other pairings. He's pinching in at better times now. I'm not worried about him at all as he's coming along and it's the other guys that are the issue.

[OutOfTheCube]

Well, at least the Sabres aren't bad

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Jbo

Welcome to the rebuild everybody. Last year was a sweet, sweet dream and we all just woke up with a killer hangover.

I hate the word rebuild at this point. We are deep enough into the rebuild have a small chance at the playoffs. Not in the basement.

Oiler fans would use "rebuild" as an excuse 3 years in.

[MoBiBu]

Derek Grant 7/9 on face-offs - visually he looks good to me; any theories/ideas why he's clocking the least amount of TOI?

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by FlamesNation23

How does Auston Matthews sound?

Matthews shoots left