[PGT] Booo, we suck - EDM 5 CGY 3

[FlamesNation23]

Positives:

I think the 2,3, and 4 forward lines played great. The bottom two lines were especially good and that bennett-brouwer line generated some chances as well. Elliott was also far better than last game and made a some big saves. We also played a solid possession game, which is completely the opposite of the last two seasons and will definitely cause some growing pains.

Negatives:

At some point you have to start blaming the defense for the number of goals we have given up. Wideman was a tire fire, but gio, brodie, and hamilton looked pretty bad as well. They pinched too often and there was absolutely noone covering the breakout and it cost us a lot of breakaways. Also our top line has looked super rusty and that needs to change soon if we want to win games this year.

I honestly do believe this team has the potential of being a really good team moving forward, but our defence is an absolute liability at this point. I understand 3 of our 6 dmen like to pinch, but when you have someone as fast as mcdavid on the other team, you need to be able to be in a good position to cover him coming back. I am willing to give gulutzan 10-15 games before calling for his head, but it is clear that he needs to make some changes. He made the correct change on his defence pairings and taking grossman out after the first game so at least he is willing to try different things. Hopefully Kulak is in tomorrow for wideman and we can get our first win of the season. GFG!

[chubeyr1]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Guys.

We outscored the Oilers 3-1 at five on five.

They beat us on special teams tonight in response to us dominating them on ST on Wednesday.

And the GWG while terrible on Wideman's part was also a fluky bounce.

The Oilers got a bounce, the Flames didn't.

I am concerned about the slow-footed nature of our D (i.e. Engelland being out there at 4-on-4 where Russell used to be) but there is a fix for that right in the press box in Brett Kulak, Gulutzan just needs to give him an opportunity.

The only real thing to be concerned about is the first line's inability to generate zone time. I feel like we need to split them up if we want to get anywhere.

Your bashing Engelland for his game tonight? Engelland I thought played great for his role. Tough dman and also replacing Bollig as an enforcer too. Dmen that sucked tonight were Wideman and Gio. Engelland was in fine form for what he is.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

I don't get it. The Flames looked awesome in the second period in Edmonton. And completely dominated the first tonight. Why can't that level be sustained?

Maybe they think they're better than they really are and forget that one period is not a complete game.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

We actually only allowed one five on five goal today, and it was a McDavid breakaway.

That's because Elliott bailed this team's ass out repeatedly. By rights, we should have given up more goals tonight than we did Wednesday.

[1qqaaz]

I thought Jyrki Jokipakka was pretty solid.

It's fairly obvious that he's better than than Engelland, Wideman, etc.

[AC]

I don't get the Elliott hate tonight. I thought he was pretty great actually.

How many breakaways did he face tonight? And the 2 PP goals were from terrible D coverage. That's the issue.

[wwkayaker]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

Bag skate @ 5 AM

Great idea given they play tomorrow night!

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Hamilton has a much better shot than Bouwmeester. He's also much worse defensively. But yeah, they're both great skaters who play soft as butter.

No doubt we all have a sour taste from Mr. Bouwmeester's time here. But comparing Hamilton to Bouwmeester is not a criticism of Hamilton.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Hamilton has blended in. So disappointed. He has to be better. Gio not himself. Brodie not pushing the play. Elliott terrible looks petrified/nervous

[Otto-matic]

This is where I fault Johnny Hockey, he should have been in Calgary on day 1 of training camp. With or without a contract he needs to adjust to Calgary and the time zone.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That's because Elliott bailed this team's ass out repeatedly. By rights, we should have given up more goals tonight than we did Wednesday.

Yup! Elliot was hung out to dry by his team mates. Can't fault him for any of the goals he gave up.

[midniteowl]

This game, it's not just the lost that bothers me, it's the lack of emotion from everyone except Engelland.

[VladtheImpaler]

Well, as I've been saying for years now, this team needs more Keenan. Until we bring back Soviet Mike nothing good is going to happen here.

[Hockey Fan #751]

[bigbadboss101]

Monahan needs to play with more intensity. He looks rather slow and 'boring'. Joki played well I think. Kulak should get a shot as he has some intangibles. Our transition game needs to improve.

[HOWITZER]

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by chubeyr1

Your bashing Engelland for his game tonight? Engelland I thought played great for his role. Tough dman and also replacing Bollig as an enforcer too. Dmen that sucked tonight were Wideman and Gio. Engelland was in fine form for what he is.

Uh I did not bash him. I said him being out there with Brodie on 4v4 was due to us no longer having Russell, Brodie's usual 4v4 partner aside from Gio.

We are short a skating offense generating Dman in our top six especially with Wideman seemingly losing a step.

[Dion]

nm

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Spinach

Ding ding ding!
Friggin' Oilers and their McTanking lottery luck. They'll still miss the playoffs, but getting swept by them in a home & home is just painful. Sometimes I hate this league.

It's not even the fact that we lost to Edmonton, but how. The Flames looked like a junior team that got embarrassed by an AHL team. They aren't ready, and whatever the hell Gulutzan's system is supposed to be, they aren't doing it. And that falls on the coach. He had a month of practices and seven pre-season games. There is no excuse that justifies looking this bad given the players we have and the opponent we faced.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Oh crap on a toasted biscuit. This is my fault.

I didn't make Nachos either night.

I am truly truly sorry.

Well do your team a solid and make some dang nachos tomorrow night.