[PGT] Islanders 2, Flames 1 (OT) - Hudler 1G (10), Gaudreau/Monahan 1A, Ortio 32 Saves

[Sakic19]

Unfortunately the best case scenario considering our place in the standings, an exciting game but not the full 2 points

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

A big Matthews point.

Well-played game. I liked Ortio's game. The 1st goal was a bit of a squeaker but it was a tough shot to read off the
backhand.

I wish they would get Joni a win this season.

The only way theyget Mattews is if they win the lottery. This team dosen't know how to tank .

[VANFLAMESFAN]

I hate not caring about losses.

[OldSam]

As I said last game, I don't care about wins and losses now, just that the effort is there. And they played a great game and we were with the Islanders the whole time. Great work ethic. Great goaltending. Nice job Flames.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

The only eay we get Mattews is of they win the lottery. This team dosen't know how to tank .

You don't say..

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Entertaining game. Well played by us.

-Ortio looks promising
-rookie d-men look promising
-monster game by the entire first line
-Bennett continuing to learn centre looks promising. Hope he develops some chemistry with Ferland, they could be a real pain in the butt to play against
-Good game by the role players too. Engelland threw a couple huge hits. Bouma fighting and blocking shots like the heart and soul warrior that he is. Bollig making sure Martin shenanigans don't go unchecked. Backlund with clutch defensive plays.

Great night for the lottery positioning too as CBJ, TOR and WPG all win. Don't look now but CBJ is 6-1-3 in their last 10 and is the hottest non-playoff team at the moment. We're actually 4th last in points per game now.

Great night for the trade deadline values too as Ladd is moved early and for a lot putting a lot of pressure on the rest of the West to keep up.

Overall great night for us IMO. Can't wait to see what we get at the deadline. Really fun to watch these young guys getting a chance now that the season is lost. Color me psyched on the Flames future right now

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

The only eay we get Mattews is of they win the lottery. This team dosen't know how to tank .

Thanks for, ahem, spelling that out for me.

Typing on your phone, I assume?

[Rejean31]

Wish Halak would play the Flames like he plays the Oilers. Every game he plays against the Oilers he looks like a sieve. Every game he plays against the Flames he looks like the second coming of George Vezina!!

[Trailer Fire]

Thank baby Kipper that there isn't some skin shrivelingly poor excuse for a pun in the thread title.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

This team dosen't know how to tank .

I dunno man. We played an entertaining and good game and 3 teams behind us or around us gained a point on us. I'll take that type of tank over the Oilers type every day.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

...Plenty of positives, but man do we need some more offence on this team.

Two years in a row now that the Flames are a top-ten scoring team in the NHL. They could sure use a boost in secondary scoring, but the problem is not nearly as dire as you make it sound.

[Mass_nerder]

Did everything but win tonight.
Entertaining game.

[Roof-Daddy]

Damn would it be nice to add Hamonic. He's a hell of a D man.

A top 4 with Gio, Brodie, Hamonic and Hamilton would be absolutely friggin unreal.

Especially with the sweet heart deals Brodie and Hamonic would be on.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Two years in a row now that the Flames are a top-ten scoring team in the NHL. They could sure use a boost in secondary scoring, but the problem is not nearly as dire as you make it sound.

...and that's with a poor power play. If they even had an average PP they might be top 5 in scoring. Boggles my mind how some people continue to think the Flames have trouble scoring goals, need more offence and secondary scoring. Yes would be nice, but it's the goaltending that sunk this season early and hard.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Two years in a row now that the Flames are a top-ten scoring team in the NHL. They could sure use a boost in secondary scoring, but the problem is not nearly as dire as you make it sound.

It's more timing than anything else.

I feel awful for Ortio who always seems to get his starts when the scoring is slumping.

He looks like an NHL goalie out there, that's the positive to take away from tonight.

That and again, Wotherspoon and Nakladal look NHL capable.

[hockey.modern]

Monahan was 71% at faceoffs tonight!

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Face-offs seem to be slowly improving or maybe its just a mirage.

[Vulcan]

I don't know if it's all to do with Ortio but the team is sure playing with confidence since he's started. We haven't seen the results but that will come.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by heep223

...and that's with a poor power play. If they even had an average PP they might be top 5 in scoring. Boggles my mind how some people continue to think the Flames have trouble scoring goals, need more offence and secondary scoring. Yes would be nice, but it's the goaltending that sunk this season early and hard.

Speaking of which,

The PP was looking great with Ferland on the second unit and Brodie/Nakladal + Gio/Hamilton as the pairings.

Why is Colborne on PP2 instead of Ferland, and why are the pairings now Brodie/Gio + Hamilton/Nakladal?

[ScorchyScorch]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Entertaining game. Well played by us.

-Ortio looks promising
-rookie d-men look promising
-monster game by the entire first line
-Bennett continuing to learn centre looks promising. Hope he develops some chemistry with Ferland, they could be a real pain in the butt to play against
-Good game by the role players too. Engelland threw a couple huge hits. Bouma fighting and blocking shots like the heart and soul warrior that he is. Bollig making sure Martin shenanigans don't go unchecked. Backlund with clutch defensive plays.

Great night for the lottery positioning too as CBJ, TOR and WPG all win. Don't look now but CBJ is 6-1-3 in their last 10 and is the hottest non-playoff team at the moment. We're actually 4th last in points per game now.

Great night for the trade deadline values too as Ladd is moved early and for a lot putting a lot of pressure on the rest of the West to keep up.

Overall great night for us IMO. Can't wait to see what we get at the deadline. Really fun to watch these young guys getting a chance now that the season is lost. Color me psyched on the Flames future right now

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Good points.

I hope if Hudler is dealt at the deadline, we call up Shinkaruk or Poirier to get their feet wet and give them the experience to better prepare for next training camp.

I feel even less inclined to say we even need Wideman/Russell given the defensive performances the past couple games with the new kids. Nak looks like he could become an offensive presence on the blue line and has some size..see, we don't need Wideman. Let him ride out his 20 games. No rush.