[PGT] Flames 4 - Senators 2 - We Win!

[Henry Fool]

If you consider the fact that Mikael Granlund is a 5'10 center playing against the opponents' best defenders every night, it's easier to appreciate the kinds of challenges he faces in Minnesota. He can't hide. He's always been in the spot light. He's expected to grow into a bigger role than his little brother in Calgary and it's a difficult road - especially during times like right now when the Wild appear to be struggling a bit.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Hey guys, don't shoot the messenger. I was chatting with some guys and that's what they said. Not saying they were right or not, but I like our Granlund better still.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He questioned if the flames fans should be happy with winning.

And the alternative is what exactly? Put a bunch of vets on the shelf and play kids? oh....wait.....

[Henry Fool]

Finally, if it seems that I want to defend Mikael Granlund, I admit that I feel for him. He was a star in the Finnish league, he was a star in the national team when Finland won the world championship, and you could see the spotlight wearing him out already in his home country.

When he arrived in Minnesota, they didn't expect him to struggle. Think about the talk about Sven here - it was ten times worse for Granlund just a year ago. Yet he never for one second complained. Not a word. No negativity, no self pity. All he did was rethink his training and work harder. He's already suffered two or three head injuries.

Markus' progress has been great. You could already see that last year. He quickly improved in the NA, no question about it. I used to give updates on him in the sub forum when he was in Finland and I wasn't able to tell how likely he would be to make the NHL. Then a few months into his career in NA, he looks like an NHLer.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I missed my first game of the year tonight. For shame I say, FOR SHAME!


All I am going to say on my expectations for the rest of the season is this.

If Calgary can get the W in the Honda Center, they make the playoffs. I swear, getting that over sized Gorilla off of this franchise's back will be like releasing the hounds in a fox hunt.

This hard work is the foundation of their success, even if they slow down during the season, they can always fall back on that and limit the damaging losing streaks.

It's damned exciting to be a Flames fan right now.

Touche'

[442scotty]

Im having so much fun watching this team. Have not felt this way since 04. If they make the playoffs its just more gravy. I just want them to keep playing the way they are. The enjoyment is in watching the 80 games leading up to the playoffs. Rarely a disappointment not like the past.

[Azure]

I think its time to give Wotherspoon a chance. Our 5/6 guys are okay, but they get caught a lot in their own zone.

As for the young guys, the Flames will have to make a trade or drop guys. Ferland, Backlund and Colborne all deserve to play.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

If Glencross plays like he did tonight, this team will go to the playoffs.

Sven had a crazy first period, but slowed down after that,

No way your sitting Jooris or Granlund if they play like this, not a Bouma fan, but he's playing well,

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by AC

I think you mean Craig Simpson.

But yes, he mentioned it was a "perfect pass".

Jim Hughson seemed a little lost, like on the Granlund goal. You can tell he didn't see the pass by Bouma go through at all.

No, I meant Hrudey on the panel in between periods.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

If Glencross plays like he did tonight, this team will go to the playoffs.

Sven had a crazy first period, but slowed down after that,

No way your sitting Jooris or Granlund if they play like this, not a Bouma fan, but he's playing well,

How can you not like Bouma? The kid puts his body on the line every night. The Flames identity is what Bouma is all about. It's a cherry on top when he's on the score sheet.

[ExiledFlamesFan]

Another excellent win. It's a great time to be a Flames fan

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

How can you not like Bouma? The kid puts his body on the line every night. The Flames identity is what Bouma is all about. It's a cherry on top when he's on the score sheet.

Not only that, but Glencross floated through most of the game last night.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by nik-

Not only that, but Glencross floated through most of the game last night.

Like I said earlier, typical Glencross. Has me swearing through thwp periods, then, "hey, nice pass". Those moments of good play keep him on the top line, and I'm not sure that's a good thing.

[Tyler]

4 seconds before that great feed to Jooris, I was shouting at my TV begging Trevling to trade his lazy ass. So frustratingly inconsistent

[GioforPM]

Marcus Granlund may or may not be better than his brother. I don't care. All I care about is that he is a great 2 way player. He probably has the most well rounded game of all the call ups.

[Red Ice Player]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Like I said earlier, typical Glencross. Has me swearing through thwp periods, then, "hey, nice pass". Those moments of good play keep him on the top line, and I'm not sure that's a good thing.

The usual Glencross hatred. According to you guys, he's lazy and useless. Thankfully, Hartley disagrees, and he knows hockey.

[Da_Chief]

If you're not a Bouma fan you're not a Flames fan! Period. Like the poster above said, he puts every part of his body on the line every game. Him getting points makes me super happy.

You win with guys like Booms and Backlund and you get garbage posts from where r u chris sullivan or whatever his useless handle is.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

What I like is that kind of looks like he plays with a smirk as well. He looks extremely confident on the ice. Maybe a little conservative with his positioning currently but at the same time he never looks like he's trying to impress anybody or force plays that don't happen naturally.

One thing I see is that he doesn't get many shot opportunities currently. He's very often either covering defensively or standing in front of the net in the offensive zone. If he could get some open space for some one timers, he'd be able to use his offensive strengths more.

The number of times that I saw a forward responsibly covering for a defensemen reached a season high last night. At one point in the third, Granlund was covering the left point, the puck was flipped past him and he came back into our D-zone to recover the puck... the only other player in the zone was another forward who had backtracked to cover for a defensemen. I think it was Gaudreau.

Just great awareness and responsibility this season.

[AcGold]

Sometimes I think Bouma is trying to play goalie, he must have kevlar pads because he tries to stop pucks with absolutely no regard for pain. He'll put his hands and legs out the exact same way a goalie does.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Sometimes I think Bouma is trying to play goalie, he must have kevlar pads because he tries to stop pucks with absolutely no regard for pain. He'll put his hands and legs out the exact same way a goalie does.

Lots of our guys do it. Even Glencross tried to block a shot like that last night.