[PGT] WCQF Game 4: Ducks 3 - Flames 1; Anaheim wins series in sweep

[Lanny'sDaMan]

I am very ... well all over the place with my emotions from numb, to furious, to dejected, to who gives a rat's ass to numb again. I'll compile my thoughts at a later date.

For now, I guess Go Sharks Go.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Oh for cr................

You know goaltending plays a pretty big part of a team's success no?

And that's been the organizations biggest failure in the last 20+ years. The Flames have been unable to draft or develop goaltenders, got lucky with a homerun trade by Sutter, but have been floundering since with a merry-go-round of flash-in-the-pan goalies. Treliving is just continuing that trend

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Serapth

So... you didn't watch him turn over the puck three times in the last minute. The hate is pretty justified, he had an awful series. And a pretty horrid season.

Nobody is calling for a trade, but there are certainly reasons to be disappointed.

He had 61 points while missing training camp and like 15 games with a broken finger. If that is a horrid season, im the King of Spain.

[polak]

Im not even mad. No point.

Just disappointed.

[MacFlame]

That's the most frustrating series I have ever watched.

I didn't expect them to beat the Ducks, but I certainly expected the Ducks to earn the wins more than they did. I don't think they make it past the second round.

It's weird, other than goaltending, I really don't have a problem with anyones play. I do think that more youth has to be injected into the bottom six..need more crash and bang.

Really didn't like the officiating in the first two games (and parts of the 3rd game) and I really think that it had an effect on the Flames mental game. They should have won game two and they knew it. Then, when the refs blew the high sticking call in game 3 and Elliott suddenly started handling the puck like a grenade, the team just imploded. It was just too much for them to handle.

I thought Gulutzan did a good job this year, but his inability to react quickly really hurt the Flames in this series. Elliott should have been pulled after the second goal in game 3 as 4 of the last 5 goals scored against him were terrible...you could see he was losing his confidence. Just a really bad decision to leave him in there.

Will Gulutzan learn from this? maybe, but I don't think he gets more than half a year next year to figure it out.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Can't blames the sweep just on goaltending. Flames scored 2 even-strength goals in 4 games.

well with average goal tending they wouldn't have gotten swept so yes you can....now there are obviously other problems too

[zamler]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Can't blames the sweep just on goaltending. Flames scored 2 even-strength goals in 4 games.

Yea but bad goaltending and confidence or something.

[GirlySports]

It's amazing how people expect Gaudreau to take punishment. His hand probably never healed properly.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Randy Carlyle just gained a LOT of respect from me.

Saying 'took advantage of our opportunities' and 'puck luck'.

That's as close to 'wow, the Flames goaltending was pure garbage' as you're going to hear.

Thank you, Randy.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Serapth

So... you didn't watch him turn over the puck three times in the last minute. The hate is pretty justified, he had an awful series. And a pretty horrid season.

Nobody is calling for a trade, but there are certainly reasons to be disappointed.

1) Horrid? He had 61 points in 72 games after a terrible start and injury. Total hyperbole. He set the bar very high early in his career, and not all development is linear. He had an off year by his standards, but horrid is a ridiculous notion on your part.

2) Have you not been reading? There's a small growing group of posters advocating trading him.

It's embarrassing.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

It's amazing how people expect Gaudreau to take punishment. His hand probably never healed properly.

Wear better gloves. They are out there and I'm sure he could adjust to wearimg a more protective glove. He knows he is going to keep getting swatted. I hate Johnny keeps getting hack but at some poimt you need to be responsible for your own health.

[calgaryblood]

Retire you bum Elliott. What a disgrace of a goalie. Folds like a cheap tent every playoffs.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Can't blames the sweep just on goaltending. Flames scored 2 even-strength goals in 4 games.

Thanks was looking for that stat.

Like I have said, our rebuild has moved past the bottom out stage but we lack a franchise player out of it. Unless Bennett or tkatchuk become game breakers, don't think this group ever moves from playoff contender to cup contender.

[dino7c]

Elliott is gonna have trouble finding a job...certainly as a starter

[hockey.modern]

I feel bad for Pylon, all that dedication to his car, and for it to end with a sweep.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Did you just black out from the epic disappointment that was last year? 2015 was a miracle in every way, including the one W against the Ducks in the playoffs.

I'd rather play 4 games where we actually hang with our biggest competition and lose than play 5 and win just one out of pure luck.

If Gulutzan had 2015 Ramo we'd probably be up 3-1. But sure, missing the playoffs under Hartley was amazing. So sad we can't do that again.

Hahah, Treliving fired Hartley for not having enough puck possession. Also goaltending. He's on record saying as much. Treliving fired the reigning coach of the year man. Gio wasn't injured. This hire couldn't even take a first round series to 5 games. Ok.

[direwolf]

Really tough series. Flames were right there in every single game, and even dominated for much of the series. Bad goaltending, bizarre flukey bounces, 2 horrible game-changing calls by the officials, and some undisciplined play cost them in the end.

Some thoughts on the season:

Gaudreau- he had a decent season and still lead the team in scoring, despite being injured and missing training camp. But man, he clearly struggles against big physical teams and was pretty much a non-factor against the Ducks, except on the PP. Tonight was arguably his worst game as a Flame. He can be an amazing dynamic player against most teams, but until he learns how to play in those rough, physical tight-checking games, he'll continue to struggle. Same thing happens when he plays against the Kings as well. Really hoping he can figure out how to make the necessary adjustments to his game for next season. He's still young, so I'll give him some time.

Monahan- really stepped up in these playoffs. I'm so proud of him. And he's only gonna get better next year. He's a special player and will continue to be for a long time.

Tkachuk- what more can you say about him. Kid's a stud, and he's gonna be an absolute pleasure to watch for the next few years. Skilled, tough, and gets under the skin of pretty much everyone he plays against. Love it.

Elliott, Wideman, Bouma, Brouwer, Chiasson...bye bye. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out.

Johnson- we need to keep this guy. He's a solid backup, and he's one of the sole reasons we were able to climb out of the basement and make the playoffs.

Backlund- what an awesome year by Backs. So proud of him. The 3M line almost single-handedly got us back in the playoffs.

Gio/Hamilton- easily one of the best D pairings in the league. They both struggled a bit to start the year, but so did the entire team. But they eventually rounded into form. Dougie struggled somewhat in the Ducks series, but he's still pretty young. He'll figure it out.

Stone- please re-sign this guy. Dude is a beast.

Brodie- definitely an off year for him. He needs to be much better next year.

Ferland- really took his game to a new level this year. He's still too inconsistent, but I have faith he'll continue to improve next year.

Overall I think it was a pretty good season despite being swept. Lots of positives to build on for next year. #1 priorities for the summer: find a legit #1 netminder and get a decent scoring RW.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Can't blame the sweep just on goaltending. Flames scored 2 even-strength goals in 4 games. Against a team missing its #1 and #3 d-men.

Yeah 5 goals in three of these games puts any team in tough to win. Outside of the powerplay there was little scoring. That doesn't get it done ever.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Wear better gloves. They are out there and I'm sure he could adjust to wearimg a more protective glove. He knows he is going to keep getting swatted. I hate Johnny keeps getting hack but at some poimt you need to be responsible for your own health.

Not just hands. People expect him take hits.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Elliott was shaky the entire game 3. You could tell from the first shot he was fighting the puck. He should have been pulled after the second goal. Gulutzan not doing that probably cost us the series (outside of Elliott's performance). Anaheim wasted no time pulling Gibson.

Gibson was pulled after giving up 4 goals.

Like another poster said, the Flames scored just 5 goals combined in games 1, 2, and 4. Goaltending was not the only problem this series.