PK % will increase. They are one of if not the least penalized team meaning any goal against will kill the %.
Imo Cervenka is going to take 15 or so games to get anything going. Can't fault him as he has so much to adapt to. Different style game, language, I believe the nhl is a smaller ice surface, etc. once he learns to get into the open areas and get his snipe off quicker we will see one hell of a player.
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Mike Babcock even said in his post-game interview that we are a quicker team than last year:
Quote:
They are a much quicker team than last year. Maybe it's something Hartley is doing but their D skates/moves the puck so much better. We could see that from the morning skate, their D skates good and Wideman really moves the puck. They got everybody involved that way from the back-end so they are much quicker and harder to play against that way
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Proud of the way this team has played the last few games (outside of the final few minutes against the Avs) and if they can remain consistent, which has always been a huge issue for this group and play like this every game, they will be a playoff team without much trouble.
I'll eat crow, it was so similar to the last few years that I was ready to write the team off for the year after the first handful of games, they are doing a great job of proving me wrong. More than any of that tho, for the first time in a number of years, every Flames game is an exciting one, win or lose.
Keep it up boys, the hole isn't that deep if you keep playing a complete game.
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Mike Babcock even said in his post-game interview that we are a quicker team than last year:
I have always said (well, over the last couple years) that the Flames aren't slow but they play slow. By that, I mean that they stood still a lot and they didn't generate any speed through the neutral zone.
The personnel changes from last year certainly add some speed, but many of the same players are back. The big difference is that they are pressing forward, and it is most noticable with the long breakout passes, but that is not the only change.
I think there are two big changes from last year: one is a brighter atmosphere and people are having fun; the other is that they are playing a much more up-tempo game and suddenly their team speed is evident.
I know a lot of people blame the Hawk game on them being tired, but I think the Flames surprised them with their skating. The same can be said for Detroit, Edmonton and probably Vancouver too.
I wish they were more physical, but I sure like the up-tempo skating
I have always said (well, over the last couple years) that the Flames aren't slow but they play slow. By that, I mean that they stood still a lot and they didn't generate any speed through the neutral zone.
The personnel changes from last year certainly add some speed, but many of the same players are back. The big difference is that they are pressing forward, and it is most noticable with the long breakout passes, but that is not the only change.
I think there are two big changes from last year: one is a brighter atmosphere and people are having fun; the other is that they are playing a much more up-tempo game and suddenly their team speed is evident.
I know a lot of people blame the Hawk game on them being tired, but I think the Flames surprised them with their skating. The same can be said for Detroit, Edmonton and probably Vancouver too.
I wish they were more physical, but I sure like the up-tempo skating
They also aren't just dumping the puck up the same side boards into the neutral zone once they gain possession. The offside winger has clearance to go once they have the puck, which forces the opponent to fall back and defend. Hartley has it correct, the best way to generate offensive chances and limit defensive breakdowns is from the center of the ice in the neutral zone.
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I think the biggest difference between Hartley/Sutter is positive psychology.
Over the past three years, how many times do you remember Sutter saying that they'd have to win a game 2-1 or 1-0? And then guess what - they didn't win. Because Sutter had already put it into their heads that if they got scored on, they'd be done. That was always the thing that most pissed me off about him.
Hartley hasn't said anything like that, only things like, "I really like what we did in this game." He isn't instructing his players that they have to play a flatout perfect game. Less pressure on the Flames. Combine that with new systems play, increased puck possession, and they're a much, much different team to watch.
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Oh god please someone create a video of the snowballing segment or gif.
That was so goddamn hilariously awkward I almost think someone in Sportsnet staff was trolling when they set that up. If so, I hope they keep doing a hell of a lot more of it. Kerr was really on top of his game with the big goal call for the opposing team instead of his standard "WHERE IS IT".
There was also the sacrilege of not only bringing up the Boston Massacre of last year when Irving went in net but then failing to muffle something that sounded like a mixture of schoolgirl giggling and his first experience with anal beads for 10-15 seconds after instead of commentating. First, as a Flames guy, how can you find that even remotely funny? And B) even if you somehow find it funny it's just like bringing up that situation you and your buddy got into with that stripper one time in Vegas in front of his wife and parents - you just don't bring it up in front of everyone FFS.
I've been more patient with Kerr than most people I've seen on here. I finally eventually started to lose my patience more lately as he should be settling in a bit more by now. Tonight I experienced a new reaction. I was just friggen' amused as he-double-sticks at the fact he was sitting in that chair being paid for that job during that game. It was kinda reminiscent of this:
I think the biggest difference between Hartley/Sutter is positive psychology.
Over the past three years, how many times do you remember Sutter saying that they'd have to win a game 2-1 or 1-0? And then guess what - they didn't win. Because Sutter had already put it into their heads that if they got scored on, they'd be done. That was always the thing that most pissed me off about him.
Hartley hasn't said anything like that, only things like, "I really like what we did in this game." He isn't instructing his players that they have to play a flatout perfect game. Less pressure on the Flames. Combine that with new systems play, increased puck possession, and they're a much, much different team to watch.
Sutter was such a negative putz not only did he have the whole country thinking the flames had no offensive talent he had the players believing it too.
I think "the thing I liked most" about this game is that it was not in any way a spectacular effort by the Flames. Nobody was amazing, we did not seriously outwork the opposition and we were not obviously the better team. And yet the Flames played a good game, and they won. That feels so good.
It feels like an eternity since the last time when the Flames didn't need to play out of their minds to be in the game and even take home a well-deserved win with a good goal margin even. (Oilers don't count.) Two evenly matched teams, with my team being slightly better all the way, that's hockey at it's best
As to Detroit, they're really going down fast at this rate. None of their replacements for their retired golden core look like difference makers, and Zetterberg and Datsyuk are past being the game-dominating superstars of old.
Flames played a solid team game, and the results were evident. No need to dominate the game to have a chance. No need to outwork the opposition all the time. Getting hemmed in our own zone was not a sure goal against or a penalty. Goaltending didn't need to be anything crazy. Some lines can have a bit of an off-night and it's not a big deal. That's what a good team game does; not everything needs to be perfect, as one thing will cover for the other.
The last two games the Flames have made those "leaps and bounds" of improvement I felt was needed to catch up with the way the other teams have been playing. Much to my surprise, I admit This team hasn't given me that many pleasant surprise in the last few years, so I'm definitely happy that they're feeding me some crow.
Also, 7 games in and it looks like we've found pretty good chemistry with the forward lines. I think some of that has to be on coaching also, as Brent always seemed to take forever to find the right combinations. (Had to get that in. The more I see this team play, the more I actually hate Brent Sutters coaching. )
(Bad news for Baertchi though, the chemistry thing.)
It's too early to say if this team is good enough to dig themselves out of their little hole, but our division isn't very good, so everything is still very much in the open. I'm afraid we'll still be in big trouble against more physical teams, but if they play this way, the games should be worth watching anyway
As to the individuals: Iginla and Glencross scoring is great for the team. Cammalleri seemed re-ignited. As good as Hudler has been, I don't think there's any question that the crown of the best off-season addition goes to Wideman. I was a little sceptical of his game, but he seems made for this team. Kudos to Feaster for that. Heck, kudos for getting Hudler too.
Brodie is just getting better. Backlund seems to have found his place. And we are so not missing Sarich.
Last edited by Itse; 02-06-2013 at 06:38 AM.
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Sutter was such a negative putz not only did he have the whole country thinking the flames had no offensive talent he had the players believing it too.
Did you even watch the last couple seasons? You realize the flames were 5th in scoring two years ago and their biggest problem was really not being able to effectively shut down the other teams and protect their leads. There is a lot of revisionist history going on here to fulfill everyone's Sutter stereotypes.
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Well said Itse, totally have the same things going on my mind also, you just put it into words, much better than me. Although I have to say I'm a bit concerned of the lack of physicality, because Detroit pretty much demolished our zone in the corners, we couldn't get it out of the zone nor win the 1on1 situations very often, and then actually when they tried to take them out with "power" they took a penalty (Either holding or crosschecking). But I have to say, I'm starting to like Hartley, they are not afraid of mistakes, and they shouldn't be, you'll never win if you are, ala sutter.
Well said Itse, totally have the same things going on my mind also, you just put it into words, much better than me. Although I have to say I'm a bit concerned of the lack of physicality, because Detroit pretty much demolished our zone in the corners, we couldn't get it out of the zone nor win the 1on1 situations very often, and then actually when they tried to take them out with "power" they took a penalty (Either holding or crosschecking). But I have to say, I'm starting to like Hartley, they are not afraid of mistakes, and they shouldn't be, you'll never win if you are, ala sutter.
Thanks. Good news about that lack of physicality is that it's actually kind of a common problem with the teams in our division, and doing well within your division is where moving up the charts needs to start anyway.
Thanks. Good news about that lack of physicality is that it's actually kind of a common problem with the teams in our division, and doing well within your division is where moving up the charts needs to start anyway.
Well, that's right, I totally forgot we're only playing conference / division games this season.
Still so impressed with the way the team is passing and moving the puck.
Only got to catch a bit of the game in the third. Was most pleased to watch Tanguay create an opportunity in close for Iggy by picking the puck off and taking it through the neutral zone and into the corner all by his lonesome. Man that guy is pure talent. Iggy seems to be fighting his confidence with the puck a bit still, but man is he playing great positionally - super aggressive. The look on his face, it inspires me! What a captain.
Wideman and Hudler have been huge additions to this club. Cervenka is fitting in great and my God where has this version of Bouw been?
If the Flames win 3-4 more games in a row that will change. People are understandably skeptical, and maybe in a little shock that Calgary played so well. I personally think they played a better game than vs. the Hawks. More steady, sustained attack, no panicking in their own zone, and of course Kipper was much better. Overall a far better team game tonight.
I disagree with that. The game against the Hawks they were flying and against a very good team. Wings looked uninterested or they just suck(pick one). Flames took full advantage no doubt but that they can play with the Hawks was more impressive to me.
This team hasn't given me that many pleasant surprise in the last few years, so I'm definitely happy that they're feeding me some crow.
