[PGT] Flames lose 5-2 to the Sharks due to a terrible 90 second span and snakebit offense

[shogged]

really liked rittich in his post game interview, can tell he would have liked to stay in and fight it but he owned it. I didn't like the pull at first but maybe peters has the right idea, just like everything else this year. rittich can prove him right by coming back really strong next game.

[AC]

Flames will learn from this, regroup and be better.

They were incredibly unlucky not to score on 4 or 5 scrambles in front, including Johnny's empty net, plus Hanifin's rush and Lindholm's post.

Really worried about Hamonic though, looked like a broken hand at first look. Hopefully not.

[dino7c]

first regulation loss at home in 9 games...clinched a playoff spot in February

lets not have a meltdown

[djsFlames]

Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Monahan need to step it up, big time.

More so the latter two, Gaudreau was more or less just snake bit, but at least sniffing around the net. But he's been way better than his three games since the break.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by old-fart

One other point, I thought Prout had a very good game. Was strong on the pinch and made several strong plays. Perfectly acceptable number 6.

I agree he was good tonight. Would have loved to see him drop the gloves with Kane though after his tough guy comments last game. Maybe could have thrown him off his game, and unfortunately he is a Flames killer.

[Coach]

I'm probably one of the bigger Smith critics and would be happy to see him gone, but he was not the problem tonight. He played well. The whole team did for the final 2 periods. Should have been 6-3 Flames. Crazy unlucky tonight.

[Racki]

I’m suddenly worried about Vancouver on Saturday now. We’ve lost 2 of 3 and don’t seem to have much puck luck. I hope Stone is almost ready to go because Hamonic is being held together with chicken wire.

[taxbuster]

I'm glad Flames lost. They needed a wake-up call. Badly. They've been playing decently, but not well, and have still racked up Ws. What they need to learn is that they cannot coast. That's what happened tonight. Fantastic first 10 minutes of high-pace, quick turn river hockey. But, like river hockey, no D. And that resulted in a bad goal, a dumb play and a lucky goal.



The dumb play, I'm thinking, broke them. But good they worked reasonably hard to come back. However, they showed no toughness, no defence (still) and couldn't buy a goal to save themselves. That part happens. The first part was all on the team and the goalie at the time.



Not a smart move by Rittich - and perhaps finally this will smarten him up. FAR better to force the opposing player to NEED to make the perfect play to score than just handing him a gimme. Not surprised at the yanking, and fully supportive of it. He needs to stop doing that.

[Toonage]

Surly Bill Peters in that post game presser

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Monahan need to step it up, big time.

More so the latter two, Gaudreau was more or less just snake bit, but at least sniffing around the net.

Tkachuk hasnt been himself lately IMO

Gaudreau was horrible the first 20. Countless giveaways and trying to be way to pretty with the puck.

On a positive note Neal may have had his best game as a Flame, thought he looked great.

[dino7c]

SJ has been the other best team in the league lately...to have a poor game and still dominate large stretches against him isn't the worst thing in the world

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

If his head wasn’t in the game, he wouldn’t have made the right choice to play the puck at the blue line. Bad bounce, but not what you said.



I understand the pull to a point but the first wasn’t that brutal either for reasons stated earlier.



Rittich’s leash being so much shorter than Smith’s, given two ugly but remotely understandable goals, is bizarre. Bad optics.

That's fair.

The first needs to be saved. It wasn't. But he needs to make the next one.

Playing the puck is fine, but it's not ok to cough it up right after the first goal.

Head in the game, but both goals completely his fault. He's gotta be better.

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[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Tkachuk hasnt been himself lately IMO

Gaudreau was horrible the first 20. Countless giveaways and trying to be way to pretty with the puck.

On a positive note Neal may have had his best game as a Flame, thought he looked great.

Isn't that how it always goes - guy that was stuck in mud starts gaining traction just as other guys are falling off?

Would be nice to see what this team is like when all their weapons are going.

I'm waiting for that day. Hopefully it's in the playoffs when we stick the boot to these punks.

[DropIt]

Sometimes goalies stink. Tonight it was Rittich.

I'd like to see his current level of play, but with Smith's ability to handle the puck. Instead he looks like he is handling a greased pig instead

[dino7c]

I've said it about 1000 times but Smith isn't pulled often because they usually pick his spots to give Rittich a rest. Its usually a B2B or 3 in 4 when Smith plays.

That said Flames need a goalie to push Rittich and replace Smith if they are serious about contending

[sun]

I love Monny, but what was with him tonight? Brain in a fog, was forcing plays all night. Needs to simplify.

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by CGY12

I agree he was good tonight. Would have loved to see him drop the gloves with Kane though after his tough guy comments last game. Maybe could have thrown him off his game, and unfortunately he is a Flames killer.

I actually would have been ok to kill off a penalty for Prout if he would have just done all the punching. Just ragdoll Kane and set the tone.

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[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by shogged

really liked rittich in his post game interview, can tell he would have liked to stay in and fight it but he owned it. I didn't like the pull at first but maybe peters has the right idea, just like everything else this year. rittich can prove him right by coming back really strong next game.

Agreed.
Peters has handled Rittich perfectly this year.
There is nothing to indicate otherwise.
Why should tonight be different?

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by dino7c

SJ has been the other best team in the league lately...to have a poor game and still dominate large stretches against him isn't the worst thing in the world

I just wish it was closer at least. It did not warrant a 5-2 score.

[dino7c]

Sharks are on quite the lucky streak lately...everything is going their way, won't last forever

Flames have gone through stretches like this where everything they touch turns to gold