[PGT] Bolts 4 Flames 3

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Agreed, the timeout crowd is usually stupid. But in this case, timeout is line selection and if you want to tie it, you have to use your best guys.

I was watching the TB feed. Not sure if they showed it on Sportsnet, but you could see Johnny making the time out sign on the way to the bench with 53 seconds left. At least twice, he was asking for it

They were the guys in the ice who scored the 4-3 goal quickly, then maintained possession trying to tie. They seemed to be feeling it, and Ward in this case makes nothing short of an idiotic decision

Brutal. Just brutal.

If I was Treliving I would be furious.

Ward is terribly unqualified.

[shadowlord]

Even if Ward inexplicably doesn't go with the top unit for that last shift, why not go with Backs/Mangiapane at the very least? They've been the hot hand.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by zamler

What can the players learn from this game?

I would be chatting with some of the Tampa players about what golf courses are in good condition in the Tampa area in case they are planning a spring golf trip

[djsFlames]

Bread is a beauty.

Paul Byron 2.0 right now, maybe better.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

Even if Ward inexplicably doesn't go with the top unit for that last shift, why not go with Backs/Mangiapane at the very least? They've been the hot hand.

They were both out there at the end. But they should have been out there with Monahan, Gaudreau, Lindholm, and Giordano.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Brutal. Just brutal.

If I was Treliving I would be furious.

Ward is terribly unqualified.

He only has himself to be furious with.

[Manhattanboy]

Someone PLEASE tell me. What did Bennett and Lucic do this game that warranted they be on the ice during the last minute?

Ward has a rap sheet of stupid decisions that require his immediate dismissal the more I think about it.

Oh I see there is another thread on this already lol.

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

They were both out there at the end. But they should have been out there with Monahan, Gaudreau, Lindholm, and Giordano.

My bad. I was listening on the radio, and they must not have touched the puck because I only heard Lucic, Bennett and Gustafsson's name called out.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

My biggest fear is that they scrap by into a wildcard spot get hot at the right time winning a round and the team feels they need to keep him on as head coach.

You would hope though that even by the small chance the team makes it past round 1 if they do make playoffs, that the player exit interviews would make it known to Brad that there has to be changes behind the bench; most importantly with the head coach. I can't imagine the players are happy with Ward for not calling a timeout, and putting your scoring line back on when they've just pulled it within one.

Like seriously, I still can't get over that. WTF was that? "Thanks for the goal guys, now I'm gonna send the other line out with 30 seconds left, and not set up a plan."

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

No it is 4, Flames made the third round in their first season in Calgary

The list of coaches who went more than one round more than once is Tiny.

[djsFlames]

Too much faith upstairs in "their guys"

It's getting in the way of their intellectual honesty (salutes the general direction of feaster)

Loyal to a fault. Ward isn't (yet) cut out for this spot. It's not even what he signed up for here to begin with. Get a guy that's here to coach the whole thing.

[Fan in Exile]

Ward just trolled you all. Putting Bennett and Lucic out there in the last minute was just to distract you from the inexplicable decision to start Rittich. Bizarre lineup decisions ever since he took over.

[zamler]

This really does feel like Glue Gun and Butter hockey all over again.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by zamler

This really does feel like Glue Gun and Butter hockey all over again.

I prefer to call it Flames hockey. Been this way since about 95. There was the the Hartley season, 2004, the 2006 regular season and the regular season last year which were abnormalities, but the rest of the Flames seasons since 1995 are pretty similar to this season. Some years it was clear we were not good enough early on, one year they started 11 games over .500 and found a way to miss the playoffs, a lot of years the Flames were close all year but with objectively tough math to make the playoffs. The Flames over the past 25 years have had many different paths to mediocrity, nonetheless this season feels like a typical Flames season to me.

[jlh2640]

Close but close doesn’t count when you’ve done this all year.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I prefer to call it Flames hockey. Been this way since about 95. There was the the Hartley season, 2004, the 2006 regular season and the regular season last year which were abnormalities, but the rest of the Flames seasons since 1995 are pretty similar to this season. Some years it was clear we were not good enough early on, one year they started 11 games over .500 and found a way to miss the playoffs, a lot of years the Flames were close all year but with objectively tough math to make the playoffs. The Flames over the past 25 years have had many different paths to mediocrity, nonetheless this season feels like a typical Flames season to me.

Pretty much. They will probably finish 9th, 2 or 3 points out of 8th due to the really costly losses earlier in the season against bottom feeder teams like the Kings, Habs, Senators, etc. All they had to do was show up in those games and they are comfortably in a playoff spot unlikely to miss the playoffs.

[MisterJoji]

A one goal loss to an elite team like the Lightning isn’t the end of the world but man that extra point against the Predators would’ve been huge. Rittich has been fighting it lately. Don’t know if it’s just fatigue or what, but he was stellar to start the year and has been really bad the last few weeks. I still think we’ll make the playoffs, just based on how weak our division is. Team isn’t good enough to be a real threat but isn’t bad enough to miss either. Just another typical remarkably average Flames season. Barring a miracle run where they win a couple rounds, Ward will almost assuredly be kicked back down to associate coach in the offseason. The roster has some dangerous weapons but we need an established coach to help lead them. GG, Laviolette, Boudreau, there’s some really good names available. Tre getting one those guys and a legitimate starting goalie will be huge. Those are the two most obvious glaring holes right now. Win tomorrow and it’s a 3-1-1 road trip. Not bad.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Pretty much. They will probably finish 9th, 2 or 3 points out of 8th due to the really costly losses earlier in the season against bottom feeder teams like the Kings, Habs, Senators, etc. All they had to do was show up in those games and they are comfortably in a playoff spot unlikely to miss the playoffs.

ugh, that sens game before the all-star break

5-2 sens, Rittich .800 sv%

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

ugh, that sens game before the all-star break

5-2 sens, Rittich .800 sv%

Fun game to be at, almost as good as their effort in Montreal 4 days earlier.

[Freddy]

All the belly aching by posters for Ward not taking a time out to get our ‘top’ line out is kind of funny as our most effective (ie: top) line right now is definitely Backs-Chucky-Mangiapane. In fact I’d say the Monahan-Gaudreau-Lindholm line looks like it’s being sheltered from matchups with opposing top lines because of their ineffectiveness at controlling the puck on zone entries (they’re not good at dump & chase either) and Johnny’s constant turnovers. By all means put them out there for offensive zone faceoffs & powerplays, but I’m not convinced they are our best options when battle levels are high and the best players are on the ice for the opposition.
I’d say the losses in Nashville & Tampa are a result of force feeding Forbort & Gustafsson minutes to get them acclimated to systems. Forbort looks a bit out of game shape & rusty while Gustafsson has been defensively suspect as advertised.

This last stretch is an accurate reflection of who the Flames are, a bubble team who will be lucky to steal a round if they make it to the dance.