[PGT] Annnnnd..... cut! Flames allow seven unanswered, lose 7-3. Season over.

[tkflames]

Originally Posted by united

Quick pull from Natural Stat Trick of first line centres in the playoffs as a proxy of first lines. The Flames' first line really really let the team down which you don't need stats to tell you.

Agree with your point...but any statistic that doesn't show MacKinnon as the clear cut best center in the game is not a good basis for making a point about quality of centers..

[Phil Russell]

That was embarrassing, but I am not too surprised or angry. This was a lower tier playoff team that had a lower tier result, with the bonus of providing some good entertainment in the qualifying round. But is should be clear now that this core, which looks good on paper, does not have it in them to win come playoff time. Time to move big pieces on the number one line, and of course, try again for a number one goalie and a coach that can win come layoffs.

[SuperMatt18]

One thing that’s bugging me is why does it seem like the team we saw in the first period last night looked exactly like the team we saw the first 50 games of the 18-19 season.

Crisp passes, strong fluid breakout, aggressive forecheck - like honestly I was watching that period and thought “Why does this team structure suddenly look like the structure we played prior to the week break last season?”

Two things immediately stood out to me though. We were deploying a different breakout and forecheck than we had at any point in this regular season or playoffs.

For the breakout they were no longer doing the chip it up the wall to the strong side winger who is standing still with his back to the pinching d-man breakout we had seen for over a season now.

They were sending the weak side forward out the zone to push back the defense and trying to make a short diagonal pass to the low forward (usually Center) around the circle who was facing up ice and moving his feet. He then had passing options of either the Strong side winger who was facing out the zone, a pass to the soft side dman who was facing up ice and skating, or a stretch pass to the soft side winger who had left the zone.

The different breakout neutralized the Stars forecheck in the first, prevented the Stars D from pinching as much, and allowed the Flames to attack with speed. I tried to look back at some videos of the start of the 18-19 season but to me it looked like the same breakout we were deploying at the start of that season. It’s a riskier breakout in terms of where a potential turnover would occur but if you can make crisp passes it can be very effective.

The other change was the defense were playing much more aggressive on our forecheck. With the team going with a more aggressive 2-1-2 or 1-2-2 forecheck instead of a passive 1-2-2. Countless times in the first period I noticed our dmen stepping in front of a long pass the Stars d-men were making to their forwards, instead of playing it safe to make sure they didn’t get beat with a forward behind them.

It allowed the Flames to create neutral zone turnovers and keep attacking in waves against the Stars team and created a couple of mini 3-2 scenarios.It also allowed the d-men to activate more since they could step in front of that pass, move their feet, and help carry the puck in off the rush.

Once again I tried to look back at some video of the teams first 50 games of 18-19 and it looked like the strategy we used to great success at the start of that season. Of course the defense being aggressive to step in front of that pass did lead to some forwards getting behind them if the pass slipped through, but overall it seems to be what allowed out dmen to activate more in the past.

Honestly I’ll never know what exact changes to the system the coaching staff (and let’s be honest it’s still the same coaching staff with or without Peters) made during that week break in January 2019 but it clearly wasn’t for the better with this group. I think they tried to move to a less aggressive, safer style of play that would suit the “heavy hockey” of the playoffs and it just doesn’t suit this group. Instead of just letting this group play aggressive and with speed they tried to slow them down to play a safer, “low event” hockey and it just doesn’t suit how this group is built.

Sadly I don’t think we will ever get to see this group actually play that more aggressive, attacking style in a full playoff series because this core likely (and justifiably) gets broken up this offseason.

[thegooddie]

11.9 seconds away from going up 3-1 in the series....
3-0 lead in the first period of an elimination game....

Just those two stats alone show how weak and unable to finish our core is right now. #WeWantChange

[Mickey76]

I don’t get this team at all. I understand that in any high performance job some days you are just going to come out flat. I realize that high stakes anything can affect performance and when you are up against elimination some guys just aren’t at their best. I also concede sometimes it is just not your day. But that would explain losing 7-0. If we came out flat got blown out I would be frustrated, would probably want change but would have a sliver of understanding. But no we had to come out flying and build a 3-0 what should be insurmountable lead in an elimination game. Then we allow 7 unanswered goals. I have no explanation how that is even possible. That didn’t happen in the 80’s. I don’t really care much anymore but the Flames should be concerned that my kids don’t care at all.

[Huntingwhale]

Brutal ending, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't see it coming. The series started out great, but then slowly descended into madness. And with the team being 0-10 in game 6s, well the writing was on the wall.

Changes absolutely must get made to this core. A shame because I've grown to enjoy watching some of these guys play for us. But last night was the nail in the coffin; this core just ain't good enough.

Stars put on a show. Players like Pavelski and Perry I was told were washed up, and yet they completely outplayed our young core. Outcoached, outclassed, and an ass kicking to end the season.

Classic Flames.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by tkflames

Agree with your point...but any statistic that doesn't show MacKinnon as the clear cut best center in the game is not a good basis for making a point about quality of centers..

Mackinnon isn't the best center among those left in the playoffs at controlling the puck and creating scoring chances. He's the best at finishing those chances.

[Torchdemall]

Given how this team has played in the past it was not surprising. Lots to appreciate and lots to question about how this game and season played out. Hope they are.able to take a step forward even if it means parting ways in some cases.

I think I was most interested in the after game interviews. Wards was terrible, it was every cliche in the book and showed me he was grasping an unsure of what was going on and what he could do to affect change. Don't feel like he is the head coach this team needs going forward.

I was pleasantly surprised by Cams humble honesty about his performance and state of mind. He is the only reason they were even in most games so it was a real shame he struggled in a game were the team finally got him a big lead. Just a collective choke job over the course of the series.

I think what is the saddening for me is how many players on this team looked to be contributors in many different ways early this year or last really failed to take the next step or in some cases looked like a step back. The lack of intensity and ability to adapt to the other teams play and find a way to win continues to be sorely lacking on this club.

I still love this team and its players, they just have trouble all showing up and playing a complete game consistently. Hopefully no matter how it goes they go on to bigger and better things in years to come.

I refuse to end the season being anything more the hopefully of the next! Gotta remember all the good moments as well as the bad so... Go Flames Go! See ya next season!

[sa226]

I actually still can't believe thats how it ended. If they were going to lose I figured it was going to be in a whimper, or even a hard fought battle. But to actually make adjustments, come out gangbusters and dominate to a first period 3 goal lead, to lose 7-3? Goddamn. It kind of reminded me of that Game 7 years ago against San Jose, when Roenick played for the Sharks. Get it to a game 7 just to lose 7-2. Just crazy.

You could even say that every single player in that room will take this game with them forever. It will harden them up for future playoffs as a crushing defeat. Problem is, times up. This core has used up its lives. Major change is needed.

At this point I don't even care who. Previously I would defend the coach, I would defend Treliving, I would defend Gaudreau. Not. anymore. Time for change.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Tapatalk

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Mickey76

I don’t get this team at all. I understand that in any high performance job some days you are just going to come out flat. I realize that high stakes anything can affect performance and when you are up against elimination some guys just aren’t at their best. I also concede sometimes it is just not your day. But that would explain losing 7-0. If we came out flat got blown out I would be frustrated, would probably want change but would have a sliver of understanding. But no we had to come out flying and build a 3-0 what should be insurmountable lead in an elimination game. Then we allow 7 unanswered goals. I have no explanation how that is even possible. That didn’t happen in the 80’s. I don’t really care much anymore but the Flames should be concerned that my kids don’t care at all.

Honestly a lot of it last night in the second had to do with luck, goaltending, and coaching.

They go up 3-0 and looked great doing so.

Dallas gets a PP (part stupid play by Lucic, part horrible call by the ref) and they make it 3-1 on a goal that deflects off the tip of Lindholms blade.

Flames look pretty good after that goal though and get some chances to end the period. Period ends 3-1, Flames still have momentum, and dominated the period outside of the Stars PP.

Sadly they start the 2nd in the worst way possible. Stars get a goal in the first minute on what is partially a poor play by Monahan to not take the shooting lane, but really is a goal that Talbot needs to save even though it’s through a screen. 3-2

Two shifts later the Flames don’t have a clean breakout, get a bit scrambly in their own zone and a shot that’s going 4 feet wide gets deflected, hits two other players, and finds a gap in Talbot. It’s a save he could have made but also a bit unlucky. 3-3

And really this is the TSN turning point IMO, not the 3-1 goal. At this point it’s still a tie game, and the Flames were clearly the better team but Dallas got a favourable call and a couple bounces. The coaching staff just needed to remain calm, call a timeout, and just reinforce to stick to the game plan.

Instead they hammered the panic button.

They pull the teams playoff MVP that the team had rallied around, and put in the guy that hadn’t played in 5 months. Now instead of being calm the team is rattled. The coach seems panicked, they don’t know if they can trust the guy behind them in net, and the snowball continues to roll.

Rittich looks extremely shaky on the first two pucks he faces and you can just tell it’s in the teams head now. They scramble in their own zone and boom Lucic gets a delay of game penalty.

Rittich makes the initial save on Gurianov but really it’s not a save because he has no control of the rebound. Hits traffic in front, bounces right in the crease, and it’s an empty need with Rittich swimming out of his crease. 4-3

90 seconds later it’s another horrible rebound by Rittich, Monahan and Gustafson get crossed up, and Joe Pavelski beats then to the puck. 5-3

And the crazy part is it’s not over yet there. Flames actually have a couple of good shifts, have some chances to cut the lead down, and have a great chance right before....

Gurianov is able to go 1:1 against Gio, Gio gives him too much space to let off a shot and Rittich gets beat clean on a shot he should probably save. 6-3 and now it’s officially game over.

5 goals on 12 shots in the period and that’s all she wrote. Honestly I’m not even sure the players were that bad in that period. Shots were 12-12, scoring chances were even, but Rittich turned every single shot he faced into an adventure.

And I honestly don’t even blame him, or his teammates. I blame the guy who throws him into his first game in 5 months, in a situation where the other team smells blood and has their ears pinned back.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

I know I'm going to be absolutely shredded but... depending on how the off season goes I may be more invested in the next season in Seattle. I know the it lame and your suppose to gut it out year after year but I've done that and #### me I'm sick of what the ownership provideds for a hockey team annually. I haven't missed a single game whether it is exibition or playoff since 2008 . I know it's "bad fanship" to jump ship but the way I look at it if a cooperation doesn't provide me bang for the buck I stop buying thier product. Be it food,clothing,video games ,tvs etc etc. The Flames are no different. Seattle is sorta local by almeans as when and if covid times ever end I can literally take a ferry veryclose to my house directly to downtown seattle. It's the same distace as Vancouver for me to travel to except I hate the Canucks and could never cheer for them. Like there is no guarantee I would leave cheering for the Flames nor is there any guarantee Seattle would be much better bit as I see it It's my money . I use to like lg phones and only thwm untill the lg 6 sucked then I swapped to samsung. I use to ride only a particualur bike brand but then I found a company that fell more inline and philosophy I liked.


My point is I haven't missed a game since 2008 but have been a life long fan for the most part( been) watching waaayy before 2008) and I'm tired of spending my money on a inferior product blindly due to tribalism. They need to get there #### together this off season which probably will be a year long or I may just have my out . I can't cheer for another team currently in the league but Seattle probably offers alot of fresh starts for many ####ty franchises.

Be careful what you wish for. I did this when I moved to Florida and I started following the Panthers. Outside of one season, it's been even more heartbreak than the Flames. At least Calgary can make the playoffs.

I think this team is close, but there needs to be some serious remodeling of the top of the lineup (top 3 forwards, top 2 defensemen). If we can do that on the fly with a couple of trades and crafty UFA signings, we may be able to be a strong team in a couple of years.

I've lost all faith with this group, especially leadership (as great as Gio is, he hasn't been able to get his group to elevate at key times). I think we need to retool, not tear down.

[Jordan!]

Imagine being a Flames fan and Coyotes fan for your entire life.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

Imagine being a Flames fan and Coyotes fan for your entire life.

No thanks.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

Imagine being a Flames fan and Coyotes fan for your entire life.

Well I'm a Flames fan and a Raiders fan. Both teams last had glory in the 80's but since then it's been a horrific 30 years of misery. If it wasn't for the Stampeders I would have long ago forgot what it feels like to cheer for a solid organization.

[Jiri Hrdina]

The morning after I'm ready for the off-season and excited for it. I always find the off-season exciting but this year could be really interesting as this team makes major changes.
Trade! The Draft! Bad UFA Signings!
Let's get at it!

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Yes. https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpo...&postcount=535

Yup. I'm not saying he's useless and those are nice plays but I guess what I mean is where did he up his game like a Bennett or a Dube did? If we can't depend on Monahan to meet these challenges and demonstrate that he should be wearing a letter on his sweater than what are we doing here? Move him off the top line or move him out.

I like Mony by the way. I just think he might be ready for a different role or a different team.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

I’m glad we got some Flames hockey, but I fear it will be a looooonnggggg time before we see them play again. Ugh. This sucks.

This. Would have really liked another round of hockey. Cripes at least a game 7 to look forward to.

Making it to the final 8 just shouldn't be so hard for this franchise. It should actually happen with some regularity.

[Hemi-Cuda]

I kind of wish the arena deal had failed and Murray followed through on his threat to relocate to Houston...

Can we just trade this entire franchise to Seattle for their expansion franchise? I would put money on yet another brand new team making it past the first round in the playoffs before the Flames do again

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Yup. I'm not saying he's useless and those are nice plays but I guess what I mean is where did he up his game like a Bennett or a Dube did? If we can't depend on Monahan to meet these challenges and demonstrate that he should be wearing a letter on his sweater than what are we doing here? Move him off the top line or move him out.

I like Mony by the way. I just think he might be ready for a different role or a different team.

I agree with this post, your other post I responded to was too cut and dry.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I kind of wish the arena deal had failed and Murray followed through on his threat to relocate to Houston...

Can we just trade this entire franchise to Seattle for their expansion franchise? I would put money on yet another brand new team making it past the first round in the playoffs before the Flames do again

Why would anyone move a franchise to Calgary?