PGT: Ducks 3 Flames 1

[Phaneuf_Phan]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

2 wins in last 12 games vs Anaheim

Flames pushed around again and didn't know how to respond.

Exactly, when the opposition plays a heavy game the Flames don't have an answer. Sure they'll appear to push back but that's a lot different than initiating. Especially when the refs are looking to call the retaliator. They'll need to change some personnel if they want to compete in the playoffs someday. The Ducks have the Flames number when they play this way. As you mentioned, the record of the last 14 games between these teams speaks for itself.

[Dion]

It's hard to beat the Ducks when you give them the lead. They go into a defensive shell and basicly keep the opposition shots to the outside.

[Resolute 14]

Gaudreau needs to stop being such a god damned whiner. Want to know why you aren't getting calls, Johnny? Because you are showing up the referees and whining about wanting a call even when you lose your edge all on your own.

The coaches need to get him out of that habit asap. We already have enough trouble getting the officials to call the same rulebook for both teams as it is.

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Gaudreau needs to stop being such a god damned whiner. Want to know why you aren't getting calls, Johnny? Because you are showing up the referees and whining about wanting a call even when you lose your edge all on your own.

The coaches need to get him out of that habit asap. We already have enough trouble getting the officials to call the same rulebook for both teams as it is.

This is true and I agree completely, but you have to admit that the refs let Kessler take numerous liberties with him tonight. That is also an issue.

[FBI]

Lost the special teams battle.

Was not impressed with Wideman.
We really missed Hamilton.

Elliott back in next game.

Man I hate the ducks.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Dp.

[bubbsy]

Few thoughts....

First period or so thought to myself, Wideman looks ok. then was atrocious for the rest of the game.

Bennet has been disappointing

Johnson was meh.

But the most frustrating was brodie on the point. The guy is literally scared to just shoot. Get him off the first pp unit already. My guess is gio was sick tonight

Kesler, he's great at playing his game.

[Bear]

Easy to see from the post game comments that everyone views the action differently.

I didnt think there was enough push back and fight from the core. Monahan in particular frustrates the hell out of me. It's time he started playing harder. He lost nearly every board battle, didn't skate hard, gives at best a colborne like gentle bump and stands around with a gormless look on his face during scrums. Too often he goes missing in tough games.

I thought backlund and Bennett were excellent tonight. As was Ferland.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Gaudreau needs to stop being such a god damned whiner. Want to know why you aren't getting calls, Johnny? Because you are showing up the referees and whining about wanting a call even when you lose your edge all on your own.

The coaches need to get him out of that habit asap. We already have enough trouble getting the officials to call the same rulebook for both teams as it is.

Agreed. And part of the problem is that Gaudreau's "I believe you missed a call" face is more pissy than pissed off (see: Jarome Iginla, who contested a lot of missed calls without looking like a whiner).

[TheScorpion]

Just got back from the Dome.

Thoughts:

- Kesler is a little whiner. But you already knew that
- Nice on Hathaway to go after Kesler.
- Stupid by Chiasson not to freaking shoot the puck on that 2-on-0. Jesus.
- Johnson was fine. Still want them to go back to Elliott on NYE.
- Monahan and Versteeg were both invisible as can be.
- Backlund was a warrior, as usual.

[N-E-B]

I was utterly unimpressed with Bennett tonight as well. Thought that was one of his worst games all year.

Brodie needs to be better too. I totally understand he's going through a lot right now so I give him a bit of a pass but man it's frustrating.

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I was utterly unimpressed with Bennett tonight as well. Thought that was one of his worst games all year.

Brodie needs to be better too. I totally understand he's going through a lot right now so I give him a bit of a pass but man it's frustrating.

I dont pay attention, what s he going thru right now? Other than playing on the wrong side of the ice and with Wideman.

[AC]

Don't think it's accurate to say the Flames got pushed around.

If anything they went too far out of their way not to be pushed around and took dumb penalties as a result that cost us.

[Clarkey]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Flames need to:

1. stop being baited.
2. start baiting the other team.

Yes, Tkachuk (pretty sure that's spelled wrong) does it pretty good but the rest need to crank it up a few notches.

[AC]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

I dont pay attention, what s he going thru right now? Other than playing on the wrong side of the ice and with Wideman.

His fiancee was diagnosed with MS.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Chingas

This is true and I agree completely, but you have to admit that the refs let Kessler take numerous liberties with him tonight. That is also an issue.

It doesn't matter. Refs aren't more inclined to call a penalty in a player's favor after that player chews them out. There is no benefit to his whining, while potentially it could be costing us calls.

You don't ever see Hathaway or Tkachuk yelling at the ref, and they lead the league in penalties drawn per 60.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Kristen Odland ‏@Kristen_Odland
Asked if Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan feels unfairly targeted by referees. A hard "No."

Kristen Odland ‏@Kristen_Odland
But he did say this: “I’d like to rewind a couple of those penalties we took. I certainly didn’t see them the same way they did...

Kristen Odland ‏@Kristen_Odland
...I hope everybody is watching video after games, not just coaches.”

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Chingas

This is true and I agree completely, but you have to admit that the refs let Kessler take numerous liberties with him tonight. That is also an issue.

Yes, I agree. But I think the officials decided they weren't going to give Gaudreau a damn thing after he threw his little tantrum after losing his edge behind the Ducks net in the first. A slimeball coward like Kesler will pick up on things like that and take full advantage.

[kirant]

Just came back. Game was a nice, intense affair which felt a lot like a playoff game. Could have gone either way (Hamilton being gone and Bennett missing the 2 on 0 were the key problems for the Flames). Some thoughts:

- Biggest difference felt like the team's temper. Kesler was excellent at pestering the Flames into dumb penalties tonight...one of my least favourite players in the league, but did this extremely well.
- Definitely didn't agree with the refs' calls. Some seemed pretty iffy.
- The team missed Hamilton and his ability to push the play from the back end.
- Compared to the last time I saw them live (vs Dallas), the Flames are much improved. They still have problems with some "robotic" plays and now seem to struggle with deciding when to finish plays. It seemed like the players were looking for too perfect a goal now as oppose to being stuck on "shoot puck on net, go for rebound" as they were early in the year.
- Ducks are still a large team which can box the Flames out of the slot fairly well.
- Highlight of the night IMO was a fan's sign. Photoshop of Kesler with a pacifier and milk bottle with the words "Survey says...Kesler sucks". Got some of the strongest reactions from the crowd. Camera guy even felt compelled to show it twice.

[Resolute 14]

Bennett didn't mis the 2-on-0. Chaisson completely effed up by making that unnecessary third pass when they were already on top of the goalie. He had about 80% of the net open and got stupid.

Chaisson was similarly stupid in the first when he had a wide open shot in the slot and inexplicably drop passed to Gaudreau in double coverage.

I like what Chiasson brings, but he played a tremendously dumb game tonight.