[PGT] Flames Win Home Opener 5-3! - Page 10 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Enoch Root · 10-12-2023, 09:46 AM

Fun game - great to see Mangiapane play well, and Zadorov was a beast.

Lots of defensive zone time, but I think that came down to 2 things, both of which have been covered: one, they were hesitant at times, still unsure of who is doing what (which is no surprise, and just takes some time), and two, they just had too many turnovers (which is probably at least partly a result of the first point).

Not at all worried about it, and more importantly, I like it, as they gave up fewer chances where guys were WIDE open and had the goalie at their mercy. I think we are going to see a MUCH better Markstrom (and Vladar) this year, because the types of chances that they give up defensively aren't going to be as egregious. More shots against, but fewer goals against, I suspect.

As for the offense - loved the creativity and getting the puck to the middle of the ice. Some people have posted that they were lucky, and opportunistic last night, but I thought they did a great job of making things happen. They had fewer chances than the Jets, but I thought they had better ones.

Bottom line is, it's a win - something to feel good about and build on.

Paulie Walnuts · 10-12-2023, 09:53 AM

The Lindholm goal was what the line with Tkachuk and gaudreau did.

Get it behind the net and feed Lindholm and he will finish from that area either going in like he did last night or those one timers.

Smart play by Huberdeau to get it down low to create the low to high play.

If we get a winger to click with Huberdeau we are going to be flying.

redmile04 · 10-12-2023, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

If we get a winger to click with Huberdeau we are going to be flying.

We had a decent option with Milano... but Sutter...

sa226 · 10-12-2023, 10:25 AM

Nobody asks how, just how many. (Wins that is)

Until they figure out their zone defense and subsequent breakouts, I think we'll see more games like that.

thefoss1957 · 10-12-2023, 10:36 AM

There seemed to be some good, some bad in your opener.

I'll start with the negatives. Your defense did a poor job of getting sticks in shooting lanes. They got backed down all the way to the top of the crease, and gave up too many close in chances. When pinned in your own zone, it seemed that one D-Man had one foot in the blue paint, but failed to move the Jet guys away from Markstrom.

I didn't like the total passivity of the dump in in dump it out trapping play while protecting the lead in the early 3rd. Luckily, your offensive guys were able to re-engage the offense after the Jets tied it late. My feeling is that offensive pressure to start the 3rd would have been safer. Giving up possessions too easily while your in zone coverage was suspect, made the Jets' comeback seem inevitable. Huberdeau turned too many pucks over on the half wall, and Oesterle gave up the puck with ill advised outlets. In general, passes didn't seem "crisp" enough. Backlund took a tripping call reaching for a pass that lacked the pace to be successful. A harder pass would have had him cruising in from the blue.

The good. Clearly Markstrom standing on his head after giving up the 1st goal was vital.
Your guys were also very efficient with opportunities allowed. Your 4th line kept energy up, and Mangiapane seemed to have improved his offensive creativity.

On the whole, a good win, but, with the warning that a lapse into merely average goaltending, and we would be talking about a negative result.

It was fun hanging with you guys and gals in the GT., and I will try to catch another soon.

TrentCrimmIndependent · 10-12-2023, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The Lindholm goal was what the line with Tkachuk and gaudreau did.

Get it behind the net and feed Lindholm and he will finish from that area either going in like he did last night or those one timers.

Smart play by Huberdeau to get it down low to create the low to high play.

If we get a winger to click with Huberdeau we are going to be flying.

He's small-ish and looks like Jake Gyllenhaal.

blankall · 10-12-2023, 10:37 AM

To me this team seems to have the most complete roster I've seen in a long time. They looked like they had guys up and down the lineup that could score. They had guys chasing for pucks and throwing hits.

Every line looked like they could contribute. Kadri and Coronato together could be absolute magic too. It was great to see the PPs doing creative things again.

That being said, lots of rust, incomplete plays, lack of finish and things, generally, to work on. The team looks like it's oozing offensive talent, but also not anything like a season NHL team. Hopefully, that's just due to the major changes and the team will role into form.

KootenayFlamesFan · 10-12-2023, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmile04

We had a decent option with Milano... but Sutter...

Milano did nothing to show he earned a contract with the Flames. You can't sign guys on tryouts to contracts who haven't earned them, just because. It was definitely the correct call to let him walk.

FormerPresJamesTaylor · 10-12-2023, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmile04

We had a decent option with Milano... but Sutter...

The 27 year old with a career high of 14 goals was definitely a missed opportunity

SuperMatt18 · 10-12-2023, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Milano did nothing to show he earned a contract with the Flames. You can't sign guys on tryouts to contracts who haven't earned them, just because. It was definitely the correct call to let him walk.

He also didn't really get any top 9 minutes in pre-season last year to show that TBH.

His most common linemates were Brett Ritchie, Radim Zohorna, and Cody Eakin. Going to really shine offensively with that type of opportunity!

Quote:

Originally Posted by blankall

To me this team seems to have the most complete roster I've seen in a long time. They looked like they had guys up and down the lineup that could score. They had guys chasing for pucks and throwing hits.

Every line looked like they could contribute. Kadri and Coronato together could be absolute magic too. It was great to see the PPs doing creative things again.

That being said, lots of rust, incomplete plays, lack of finish and things, generally, to work on. The team looks like it's oozing offensive talent, but also not anything like a season NHL team. Hopefully, that's just due to the major changes and the team will role into form.

I think Huska hit the nail on the head a little bit in his press conference.

They didn't really look like a team ready for the regular season pace and intensity for the first 45-50 minutes. But in the third when the intensity ratcheted up and they started to skate and move their feet the started to look good.

Lots to work on...but lots of positives too in terms of it feeling like the team has the right pieces. The main gap right now appears to be the 6th defenseman and it's a damn shame we are never going to see this d-core with Kylington because he really would fill a massive gap (both this season and last).

Scroopy Noopers · 10-12-2023, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Milano did nothing to show he earned a contract with the Flames. You can't sign guys on tryouts to contracts who haven't earned them, just because. It was definitely the correct call to let him walk.

The only reason anyone even knows who this tweener is, is because he received an alley-oop pass from Zegras. He’s a tweener.

PepsiFree · 10-12-2023, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

The only reason anyone even knows who this tweener is, is because he received an alley-oop pass from Zegras. He’s a tweener.

But that could have been our tweener.

Ah… the one that got away.

Textcritic · 10-12-2023, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Lots of defensive zone time, but I think that came down to 2 things, both of which have been covered: one, they were hesitant at times, still unsure of who is doing what (which is no surprise, and just takes some time), and two, they just had too many turnovers (which is probably at least partly a result of the first point).

This is exactly what the coach said in his post-game interview. Huska was VERY quick to correct the reporter by pointing out that the coverage was fine, and the problem was timing and turnovers.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

GioforPM · 10-12-2023, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

It was even stupider, he was backing out of his defensive zone. Didn't look up ice at all. He got what he deserved.

Yeah, you are right. Mind you, if he gets a pass off, Zad is way out of position even if he makes the hit.

Enoch Root · 10-12-2023, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is exactly what the coach said in his post-game interview. Huska was VERY quick to correct the reporter by pointing out that the coverage was fine, and the problem was timing and turnovers.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

And that was what I thought as well: way too much zone time, due to the turnovers and confusion, but the grade A chances were relatively few - the Flames didn't let the Jets get to the slot, or pass through the slot.

It reminded me a lot of Hartley hockey, TBH - lots of zone time against, but mostly from the perimeter, then an opportunistic, and fairly creative offense. the result being the exact opposite of last year - terrible metrics, but good results, based on quality of chances, instead of quantity of chances.

Goriders · 10-12-2023, 11:57 AM

Just watched on the PVR. My comments:

- markstrom looked great. Game’s first star. He won the game in the first period.
- new guys all looked good. Greer, Sharangovich, Coronato, Oesterle
- nice to see them come through in a close game. Great 4th goal
- Zadorov with a number of big hits. Good to see.
- Jets controlled time of possession but the Flames did a fairly good job of limiting chance in the last 2 periods. It was almost a reverse flames game from last season.
- Of the three players that had big down years Markstrom and Mangiapane both looked good. Not sure on Huberdeau yet. Didn’t notice him much until the last couple of minutes.
- agree with some other posts that the four lines look a lot more balanced than last year.

Solid first game. Hopefully they can build on it.

Ashes · 10-12-2023, 12:00 PM

Markstrom stealing a game? Is this real life? Hell of a start to the season!

Coronato, Mangi, Lindholm, Zadorov all had standout games. Lot's to clean up 5v5 but the PP looked good out of the gates too, gotta say I've been pretty jaded all summer long but it feels damn good to start off with a win where we would of lost that game 99/100 last season. GFG!

Textcritic · 10-12-2023, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashes

Markstrom stealing a game? Is this real life?

It is astonishing just how short some people's memories are; like they they poofed into existence in May 2022.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

Shazam · 10-12-2023, 12:15 PM

It was a fine game. Watched a couple of other games too, everybody seemed to be pretty loosy goosy in their first game.

Hopefully Markstrom can be consistent this year.

ComixZone · 10-12-2023, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Milano did nothing to show he earned a contract with the Flames. You can't sign guys on tryouts to contracts who haven't earned them, just because. It was definitely the correct call to let him walk.

Just like Valimaki did nothing to earn a spot on the Flames.

The problem was with the organization, Sutter, and the training camp - not the player.

…I also have zero context as to why we’re talking about Milano as I haven’t gone back to read, but last season’s training camp was a farce.