[PGT] Flames win! John Michael Gaudreau wins it in OT!

[SebC]

The thing about Gaudreau's winner is that if you consider the area Oettinger can move to on time to stop a shot as not being part of the hole, then the holes available from any angle aren't really all that much bigger. Rather, the difference is that there are more holes to choose from. Tkachuk's goal, for instance, required almost the same degree of precision. "Bad angle" means you're more likely to miss the net, and indeed adds to the degree of difficulty when the goalie is out of position/not a factor, but against a guy who's set and on fire, the odds of scoring from there are probably pretty close to most of the other chances you might be able to get instead. It was an excellent decision, and great execution.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Johnny's development under Sutter has been pretty remarkable on the mental and character side of the game, and it's clear that Johnny has a deep appreciation of what Sutter has brought to the team.

I think one of the things I like so much about listening to Sutter's interviews is the insights provided into how he operates like a teacher with his players. He seems like a coach in the truest sense of the word, not just drawing up plans but really developing his players in all facets of what it takes for them to succeed.

I would be interested to learn about why the people around LA say that many of their players hate him so much. He seems tough but fair.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

I would be interested to learn about why the people around LA say that many of their players hate him so much. He seems tough but fair.

Agreed, although potentially this Sutter isn’t the LA Sutter. He may have evolved and adapted his approach since his time in LA.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

So I spent the weekend talking to my son about the playoffs.

He's 5 and this is really the first year he's understanding and getting into following a sports team as opposed to watching the puck or ball on the screen. His team is the Calgary Flames. He doesn't understand the difference between leagues, the other day he came home saying that a classmate told him the Eagles are the best team, and he was saying no the Flames. For the record the Eagles are the local QMJHL team.

I recently found my 2004 Playoff CD, so we were listening to it in the car. The first track is the Chris Cuthbert Gelinas OT goal against Vancouver. So I was explaining to him how it was my favourite sports moment ever. Then why it was.

I also talked to him about how the playoffs work (Four Rounds, like Four Levels in a video game). Then that the Flames lost in the final level. He kept going on about how the Flames just kept getting better, and now are the best team in all the land.

I tried to prepare him for a Game 7 loss, because... well...



He just kept correcting me that the Flames were the best team in all the land.

Period.

It dawned on me that this kid has no idea what sports heartbreak is, or that it even exists. It's unfathomable.

Yesterday, due to sheer laziness I wore one of my Flames ball caps all day rather than comb my hair (yay weekends).

When the little guy was putting his pjs on, he took the hat off my head and wore it on his own head. Refused to take it off. Fell asleep with it on.

Spoiler!

After putting him to bed I went to grab a beer to watch the Pens/Rangers game before our own Game 7.

Went to the cupboard and reached for a glass.

Generally I use a shaker style pint glass. A stylized version of this one:

Spoiler!

But the Flames each game this series I used that one. Game 6 I made sure to use my Willi Becher glass (also from the Breton Brewing Company) as the Flames won each game I use that. However, that didn't work Friday night.

So I debated which to use, and opted for a hand made ceramic mug that the Breton Brewing Company gave to its Mug Club members this year. I'm not usually a fan of it, but figured "if this is the last game, what the hell".

Watched the Pens/Rangers until start time. Watched the first, then popped a melatonin and went to bed.

Alas, the 11pm start times, with a young child, and work doesn't allow for me to stay up late anymore.

At about 12:30 went to the bathroom, crawled back in bed and as I reached for my phone my wife says "did you check the score?" I replied "about to now." She said "it's tied 2-2". I thought great. To my shock, was out cold again.

Not sure when I woke up again, again to the bathroom (beer and Gatorade before bed isn't a great combination) when I got back my wife asked the same thing. Then informed me that the Flames won 3-2. I checked my phone to confirm.

Woke up extra early to put the highlights on to watch with my son.

When he saw the Red Lot erupt he jumped up and waved his hands in the air.

If we make the finals, and if I convince my wife to let me use points to go, and ifwe have enough points to go, and ifI get the time off work, and if relatives are in town, and if we can stay with them, and if... and if... and if... I think I'd be happy with the Red Lot even if we don't get tickets.


Man I still can't believe that OT winner went in, I can't believe Gaudreau shot it from that angle, I can't believe Ottinger was beat on a clean shot, I just can't believe after the series they had that they were able to pull it out.

Flames were the better team, but a hot goalie can take you to the finals and even win it.

I stopped and started this post a few times. So hopefully it's coherent.

TL;DR can't wait for the ATL

I have lots of room and am close to the beltline so easy to get to the game.

[DeluxeMoustache]

On Sutter in LA:

maybe being held to a high standard can wear on a player

Especially after winning a couple of times, I suspect the dynamic would change

Seems Looch and Lewis still appreciate him though

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by woob

Love this post. I have a 5 year old as well (turning 6 this summer) and I think I was a bit hesitant to talk to him about playoffs during round 1, because we all know that deep inner doubt.

But now that we're in a Battle of Alberta for the first time in 31 years, I'll definitely be sitting down and talking about all of this with him. He's already a Calgary Flames fan, because he knows it's dad's team, but I think he's ready for the next level and to learn Edmonton = No Good.

This is great. Thanks for sharing woob and Maritime.

Earlier in the series I showed my kids the playoff bracket, and how teams advance to the next round when they win. They didn't know who one last night, so when I showed her the bracket with the Flames in the next round, she let out a big cheer!

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

When Oettinger robbed Hanifin in OT I thought there was just no way we could get another puck past this guy. Oettinger dropped his stick on the ice, and then his stick went on to get a vital touch on the puck to buy him enough time to make the save. I thought if Oettinger is using mind control to move his stick around to make saves then this just simply wasn’t meant to be for us.

Oettinger was so hot that when he dropped his stick, it continued to make saves on its own!

Otherworldly performance.

Best 3 goaltending performances I have ever seen:

Dryden '71
Roy '86
Oettinger '22

[JohnnyB]

Listening to the Dallas post-game interviews gives a real sense of how strong they were as a team and the confidence/dedication they had to each other. Respect to them for the way they competed in that series.

[PeteMoss]

Yeah - I suspect most coaches - but moreso hardass coaches - have a shelf life. Plus winning helps.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

I would be interested to learn about why the people around LA say that many of their players hate him so much. He seems tough but fair.

If I had to guess, I think that kind of success brings some entitlement and the hunger goes down. Seems like a bad mix with Sutter.

[djsFlames]

I don't think I've felt quite this content/at peace in a while.

I mean it's something I try to practice, but today hits different.

It could also be the sleep deprivation and brain chemical response to 4 hours of intense stress.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Major Major

If I had to guess, I think that kind of success brings some entitlement and the hunger goes down. Seems like a bad mix with Sutter.

Yup. At some point a lot of players say, ‘All right, I've got rings on my fingers. Now I want to pad my individual stats so I can get paid!’

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

So I spent the weekend talking to my son about the playoffs.

He's 5 and this is really the first year he's understanding and getting into following a sports team as opposed to watching the puck or ball on the screen. His team is the Calgary Flames. He doesn't understand the difference between leagues, the other day he came home saying that a classmate told him the Eagles are the best team, and he was saying no the Flames. For the record the Eagles are the local QMJHL team.

I recently found my 2004 Playoff CD, so we were listening to it in the car. The first track is the Chris Cuthbert Gelinas OT goal against Vancouver. So I was explaining to him how it was my favourite sports moment ever. Then why it was.

I also talked to him about how the playoffs work (Four Rounds, like Four Levels in a video game). Then that the Flames lost in the final level. He kept going on about how the Flames just kept getting better, and now are the best team in all the land.

I tried to prepare him for a Game 7 loss, because... well...



He just kept correcting me that the Flames were the best team in all the land.

Period.

It dawned on me that this kid has no idea what sports heartbreak is, or that it even exists. It's unfathomable.

Yesterday, due to sheer laziness I wore one of my Flames ball caps all day rather than comb my hair (yay weekends).

When the little guy was putting his pjs on, he took the hat off my head and wore it on his own head. Refused to take it off. Fell asleep with it on.

Spoiler!

After putting him to bed I went to grab a beer to watch the Pens/Rangers game before our own Game 7.

Went to the cupboard and reached for a glass.

Generally I use a shaker style pint glass. A stylized version of this one:

Spoiler!

But the Flames each game this series I used that one. Game 6 I made sure to use my Willi Becher glass (also from the Breton Brewing Company) as the Flames won each game I use that. However, that didn't work Friday night.

So I debated which to use, and opted for a hand made ceramic mug that the Breton Brewing Company gave to its Mug Club members this year. I'm not usually a fan of it, but figured "if this is the last game, what the hell".

Watched the Pens/Rangers until start time. Watched the first, then popped a melatonin and went to bed.

Alas, the 11pm start times, with a young child, and work doesn't allow for me to stay up late anymore.

At about 12:30 went to the bathroom, crawled back in bed and as I reached for my phone my wife says "did you check the score?" I replied "about to now." She said "it's tied 2-2". I thought great. To my shock, was out cold again.

Not sure when I woke up again, again to the bathroom (beer and Gatorade before bed isn't a great combination) when I got back my wife asked the same thing. Then informed me that the Flames won 3-2. I checked my phone to confirm.

Woke up extra early to put the highlights on to watch with my son.

When he saw the Red Lot erupt he jumped up and waved his hands in the air.

If we make the finals, and if I convince my wife to let me use points to go, and ifwe have enough points to go, and ifI get the time off work, and if relatives are in town, and if we can stay with them, and if... and if... and if... I think I'd be happy with the Red Lot even if we don't get tickets.


Man I still can't believe that OT winner went in, I can't believe Gaudreau shot it from that angle, I can't believe Ottinger was beat on a clean shot, I just can't believe after the series they had that they were able to pull it out.

Flames were the better team, but a hot goalie can take you to the finals and even win it.

I stopped and started this post a few times. So hopefully it's coherent.

TL;DR can't wait for the ATL

And again, you son, sir, is the smartest kid in all the land!!!

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by blankall

Honestly felt a bit anti-climatic, as the Flames had been robbed on so many great scoring opportunities. That last one with Johnny in the slot, where Oettinger somehow got his glove up had me resigned to the fact the Flames would never score...then what seemed like a nothing shot on a dead play just went in....Took me a solid 5-10 seconds to realize the game was over and we'd won.

The word is anti-climactic.

But no, it didn’t.
It was very climactic.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by VilleN

I mean I’m sure it’s all in good fun between him and his son… but if he actually believes this has an impact on the game then yes, he may belong in an asylum.

Sigh...

[CaptainCrunch]

I honestly think Oettinger was worn out in Overtime. He was starting to allow rebounds, on the easier shots where he would just allow them to bounce off of his chest.


I mean he was a billion shots. Even on the Johnny goal he dropped to his knees pretty quickly.

[Jay Random]

Oettinger was allowing rebounds all series. The Stars were just very good at boxing out the opposition and vacuuming up loose pucks. I just think their D were getting too tired to keep it up without making mistakes.

[Flames_Gimp]

I was at the game, right before OT started I told my friends "Johnny was going to win it"!

You're welcome

lol

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Oettinger was allowing rebounds all series. The Stars were just very good at boxing out the opposition and vacuuming up loose pucks.

Absolutely correct.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Just a miniscule amount more effort from Benn on that play and he deflects the shot - love that he will lay awake at night thinking about that!

True. But if you watch the O-zone camera of that entire shift, all 4 of the Stars were completely exhausted and just basically stood there while the Flames moved it around. Heiskanen was standing still, doing nothing.