[PGT] Flames beat Sharks 3-2.

[Brouhaha]

I'm a bit late to this party. It was a late game but a nice finish to this one. No doubt the Backlund, Frolik and Tkachuk line brought it tonight. Backs and Frolik have been 2 of our most consistent (in a good way) players in this early season. Tkachuk couldn't have 2 better players to play with at this point, imo. Monohan and Gaudreau, still waiting for them to find their offensive game. Brodie, who has been picked apart on the most part here (for good reason at times), had one of his most solid games. What I liked to see was a reduced number of glaring mistakes on the defensive side of the game for the team, as a whole. There will be breakdowns in the course of a game. We all know that. The other team is always looking to force those on their opponents. The PP... yeesh! Seems too tentative, too often.

Now, admittedly, I see the game through the eyes of a Flames fan, but my goodness! I was not surprised by the actions of the refs, especially late. Calls and non calls against the Flames seemingly more than you would expect from professional officials. Again, I'm sure it goes on more than I think and the Flames get their share of good, bad and non calls. The Thornton crosscheck on I think it was Backlund was a bit much. I couldn't help but wonder had that been the other way around if the whistle would have been blown and a Flame were on his way to the penalty box again. Some may say that's just part of the game, but um... yeah.

All in all, I was impressed how it was one of those bend but not break games. The boys were able to pull it out in regulation on a beautiful play. Now, off to LA. Let's keep this rolling. Go Flames Go!

[hockey.modern]

Does anyone have a clip of the last 20 seconds of the game?

[Freddy]

I was busy yesterday and just got around to watching the game, but through a CP lens after reading the forum all day. Regarding Monahan, sure he seems a second behind the play here and there so far this season, but I feel like he's always been underwhelming in his tenacity, forcing plays, etc and the thing that's missing this year is getting into the slot and finishing with timely snipes. He's still logging the toughest centre minutes and is just on the short end of the stick as far as effectiveness goes. My prediction is that he successfully plays through his nagging injury and maybe doesn't have another career year, but will finish strong.

I love the way Bennett is playing right now (hard on forecheck, less dipsy doodling selfish offensive giveaways, and plays through guys sometimes at his own danger) and I love that GG is showing him tough love for the undisciplined penalties. The benching combined with the team winning has got to be the most effective way to drive home the point and I'm sure Sam is motivated to figure out the fine line and keep his minutes. He will, and I think he's going to be elite.

In the first Ferland crashed the net but bear hugged Jones to insulate him from dangerously crashing backwards into the post and I thought it showed maturity and professional respect which complimented the rest of his great game.

Less noticeable in this game, but Hamilton has really impressed me this season with well timed physicality (against great opposition players sometimes) that shows he has all kinds of latent strength. Hopefully the Flames get to the dance this post season, because Dougie could become a force if he used his size more maliciously and gave us the offensive threat he's better known for. For all the flack he's getting here, I think Chiasson has been good at bringing a heavier game to the Flames forecheck and has been smart in his decisions (besides, what would Sieloff be doing for the Flames right now? 5th defenceman in Stockton?...give me Chiasson).

Either way, for all the doom and gloom around here about the first line I think the Flames are gelling as a team, getting noticeably better defensively with each game, and GG has successfully got quite a few players really going better than conservative estimates would have predicted. The defence wasn't going to be able to maintain the last 2 years potency with a new system, but what we're seeing now I think is better suited to winning the close 1 goal games that experienced teams grind out with more success.

Go Flames!